'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#6 Alphonso Davies
Age: 21
Trending
Club: Bayern Munich
Nation: Canada
Position: Left-back/Left winger
Academy: Whitecaps
Market Value: €70 million
Alphonso Davies is one of the best left-backs in the world despite being only 21 years old. The Canadian defender took a fair share of the limelight when Bayern Munich won the 2019-20 UEFA Champions League trophy.
Given Davies' proficiency in bombarding up the field, he was the ideal long-term replacement for David Alaba at the Allianz Arena. "Phonzie" has already played over 200 times for club and country. In fact, he has also scored 10 times and provided 16 assists for Canada.
#5 Jadon Sancho
Age: 21
Club: Manchester United
Nation: England
Position: Left winger/Right winger
Academy: Manchester City
Market Value: €85 million
Jadon Sancho would have ranked higher in this list had it not been for his indifferent season at Manchester United. The former Manchester City winger moved to Borussia Dortmund in search of regular game time as a teenager.
The move worked wonders as Sancho became an instant hit in Bundesliga. He scored 50 goals and laid down 64 assists in 137 outings for BvB. Sancho had a good partnership with Erling Haaland, who is himself a youngster.
His red-hot form at Dortmund caught the attention of several clubs in England, with Manchester United signing him last summer for €85 million.
Sancho has had six goal involvements in 28 matches for the Red Devils this season.
#4 Pedri
Age: 19
Club: Barcelona
Nation: Spain
Position: Central midfielder/Attacking midfielder
Academy: Las Palmas
Market Value: €80 million
Pedri's growth over the last 18 months has been exemplary. The Barcelona man is part of a host of youngsters at the club, four of whom have featured on the list. Since the start of the 2020-21 campaign, he has played a whopping 63 times for the Catalan giants.
The central midfielder, who is also comfortable in an advanced position, was brilliant at Euro 2020. His fine displays were rewarded with the Euro Young Player of the Tournament award. The 19-year-old also won the Golden Boy and Kopa Trophy in 2021.
#3 Phil Foden
Age: 21
Club: Manchester City
Nation: England
Position: Attacking midfielder/Left winger
Academy: Manchester City
Market Value: €85 million
Phil Foden is arguably the brightest midfield prospect in European football. A Cityzen through and through, Foden had to wait a long while before getting a shot at regular first-team action. Despite that, he has played over 150 matches for the Premier League champions.
The attacking midfielder has adapted to playing across a variety of midfield and attacking positions due to the dynamics of Pep Guardiola's side. Foden has scored 40 goals and recorded 28 assists for City so far.
#2 Vinicius Junior
Age: 21
Club: Real Madrid
Nation: Brazil
Position: Left winger
Academy: Flamengo
Market Value: €100 million
Vinicius Junior would have found it hard to crack the top 10 if the list had been formulated at the start of the campaign. The Brazilian winger has been sensational this season. His ranking at number two is more than justified by his 13 goals and six assists in La Liga this term.
The former Flamengo star became the most expensive 18-year-old when Real Madrid bought him for €45 million. After a couple of misfiring seasons, Vinicius finally came into his own last year. Overall, the left-winger has 16 goals and 10 assists this campaign.
#1 Erling Haaland
Age: 21
Club: Borussia Dortmund
Nation: Norway
Position: Centre-forward
Academy: Bryne
Market Value: €150 million
Without a shadow of a doubt, Erling Haaland is the best player under the age of 22. The Norwegian international has scored 80 goals and supplied 21 assists for Borussia Dortmund in just 79 games. The center-forward has 12 goals in 15 national appearances.
It is no secret that Haaland is set to become an all-time great. However, the 2020 Golden Boy will have to move to a bigger club to achieve that. With a market value of €150 million, top European clubs will have to break the bank to obtain the signature of the serial goal scorer.
