Friday 7 October 2016 13:32, UK
Who is the top-performing player under the age of 21 in Europe's top leagues so far this season? With the help of WhoScored.com's stats-based ranking system, we take a look...
With the domestic seasons across Europe now well and truly in full swing, there has been enough time to assess the early form of both clubs and players.
As with any new campaign it's always intriguing to see the next batch of young talent coming through and 2016/17 has been no different. Indeed, there have already been a number of notable performances from the continent's top youngsters.
With that in mind, WhoScored.com count down their top 10 rated players aged 21 or under from the top leagues (minimum four appearances)...
Ramy Bensebaini - WhoScored.com rating 7.30
After loan spells with both Lierse in Belgium and Montpellier, Rennes snapped up Algerian defender Bensebaini in the summer and the 21-year old has quickly made a starting spot his own. His versatility has certainly helped to win over manager Christian Gourcuff, fielded at centre-back, left-back and even centre-midfield already this season, winning 31 of 42 aerial duels and averaging 2.3 tackles and 2.6 interceptions per game, the latter of which is a team high.
Marcos Llorente - WhoScored.com rating 7.30
A solid start to the season in La Liga for promoted Alaves owes much to their effective use of the loan market and Llorente, brought in for the season from Real Madrid, has perhaps been the side's most important player so far. The 21-year old is Alaves' highest rated player having shone as the club drew with Atletico before recording a shock victory at Camp Nou, with only two players averaging more tackles per game (5) in Europe's top five leagues.
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic - WhoScored.com rating 7.32
Born in Spain while his father Nikola was playing with lower league outfit UE Lleida, Serbian youth international Milinkovic-Savic is making quite a name for himself in Italy with Lazio. The tall box-to-box midfielder enjoyed a solid debut campaign in Serie A last time out and has made an even stronger start this season. He already has a goal and two assists to his name in the attacking third, while 2.3 tackles and four aerial duels won per game prove that the 21-year old can contribute all over the pitch.
Angel Correa - WhoScored.com rating 7.33
He may have only started two of six Liga appearances this season but that only makes Atletico forward Correa's rating all the more impressive. The 21-year old has proven to be a real weapon from the bench for compatriot Diego Simeone, with two goals - including an equaliser in the 1-1 draw at Camp Nou - and an assist all coming as a substitute. The youngster has fast become a fan favourite, weighing in with a tackle every 37 minutes and utilising his pace and trickery to complete a dribble every 16 - more often than any other player in La Liga to start a game this season.
Joshua Kimmich - WhoScored.com rating 7.34
Having become something of an experimental pet project of Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich last season, Kimmich has been restored to a more familiar midfield role under Carlo Ancelotti and is really flourishing this season. Having not scored for club or country before September, the versatile 21-year old opened his Mannschaft account this time last month and now can't stop scoring, notching five times for the Bundesliga champions since. Superb in possession, completing 88.2 per cent of his passes in the league, this new found ability to be in the right place at the right time in the box could see Kimmich become one of Europe's finest in the years to come.
Ousmane Dembele - WhoScored.com rating 7.35
Dortmund were quick to jump to the front of a long queue of suitors to snap up Dembele from Rennes this summer. The teenager was a revelation in Ligue 1 last season and has adapted to his new surroundings, as well as the demands of Thomas Tuchel, with consummate ease. With a goal and two assists from five league starts, the 19-year old is already terrorising Bundesliga full-backs, and an average of 3.8 dribbles per game is enough to lead the way in Germany's top-flight.
Benjamin Henrichs - WhoScored.com rating 7.37
While featuring in the Leverkusen first team sparingly in 2015/16, it's fair to say Henrichs is the player here that has really broke onto the scene this season. He has already matched last season's tally of five starts in the Bundesliga, with an ability to cover in either full-back role making him a useful asset to Roger Schmidt. The 19-year old fulfils the attacking responsibilities of the modern day full-back but has really stood out defensively, averaging more tackles per game (4.4) than any other Bundesliga player.
Adrien Rabiot - WhoScored.com rating 7.45
Already emerging as something of a favourite under new Paris Saint-Germain manager Unai Emery, Adrien Rabiot has started six of his seven Ligue 1 appearances for the French champions as his importance to the side continues to grow. The 21-year old seems a natural successor to the ageing Thiago Motta, though his all-round game is far less limited. With 2.4 tackles and 1.6 dribbles per game, as well as an 89.9 per cent pass accuracy, Rabiot is capable of fulfilling a number of roles in the middle of the park and promises to be one of the finest midfielders in the game.
Samu Castillejo - WhoScored.com rating 7.59
After a relatively underwhelming debut campaign with Villarreal following a move from Malaga last summer, winger Samu Castillejo is really finding his feet with the Yellow Submarine now. He started just 19 league games last season but has been involved from the off in all seven matches so far, scoring once and providing three assists. His creativity from wide - averaging two key passes per game - is supplemented by an excellent defensive contribution of two tackles and 2.6 interceptions per game to win over new manager Fran Escriba.
Raheem Sterling - WhoScored.com rating 7.63
The fact that Raheem Sterling features in a list of players aged 21 or under will surprise many who forget just how young the winger is, having emerged on the scene at Liverpool as a 17-year old. He is another player that struggled to really make his mark in his debut campaign at a new club last season but is now looking back to his best under the tutelage of Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. Four goals, two assists and 3.3 dribbles per game have contributed to the England man earning the highest rating in his age group this season.
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