With an ever-increasing coverage of football across Europe’s top five leagues, fans and teams alike are key to hunt down the next up and coming young player in a bid to discover a diamond in the rough. With that, we at WhoScored.com - using our unique rating system - have formulated the highest rated young team of the season from Europe’s top five leagues this term.
For the purpose of the article, the players included in the XI made 15 or more appearances in their respective league for their team this past season and - at the time of writing - are 21 years of age or younger.
Gianluigi Donnarumma (AC Milan) - WhoScored Rating 6.77
AC Milan may be in a spot of bother at present, but they can count on a solid last line of defence in the form of Gianluigi Donnarumma. The teenager became the youngest goalkeeper ever to start a match in the history of Italian football in a 2-1 win against Sassuolo back in October and has not relinquished his starting spot since; hardly a poor campaign considering he was called up to the senior squad as third choice behind Diego Lopez and Christian Abbiati by Sinisa Mihajlovic at the beginning of the campaign.
Now firmly established as first choice shotstopper, the 17-year-old is expected to continue his development at San Siro next season, unless a huge bid convinces AC Milan to cash in on Donnarumma. He averaged a commendable 2.7 saves per game this season - his 10 saves against Verona was the most in a single Serie A match this season - and maximised his daunting 6’5” frame to make the third most punches (24) in Italy’s top tier this term. Indeed, Donnarumma has a bright future ahead of him, of that there is no doubt.
Hector Bellerin (Arsenal) - 7.20
After breaking into the Arsenal starting XI at the expense of the injured Mathieu Debuchy, Hector Bellerin has made a starting spot his own for the Gunners and forced Debuchy to look elsewhere for first team football. Given manager Arsene Wenger favours a 4-2-3-1 formation with the attacking wideman cutting inside, the need for offensive full-backs is crucial and it’s a duty Bellerin carries out with aplomb. The young Spaniard marauds up the right flank with intent, averaging 1.8 successful dribbles and 0.7 key passes per game.
However, he is more than capable of carrying out the necessary defensive responsibilities, with Bellerin making 1.6 tackles and 1.9 interceptions per game in the Premier League this season. At 21 years of age, the right-back will continue to develop with continuous playing time, which is expected to be the case under Wenger.
Gimenez (Atletico Madrid) - 7.22
Having emerged onto the scene under Diego Simeone last season, Gimenez has become a mainstay in the Atletico Madrid starting XI alongside compatriot Diego Godin. While the Madrid outfit failed to run Barcelona to the wire in their quest for domestic glory, a Champions League final meeting with rivals Real Madrid presents the club with the chance to end the campaign with a piece of silverware and avenge their final defeat two years ago.
An average of 2.5 interceptions per match notes the centre-back’s impressive reading of the game, a strong asset for a player so young, while his proactivity is highlighted in that he makes 5.4 clearances per game. Gimenez’s performance exceeds his young age and while still a little rough around the edges, Simeone has the managerial nous to help this diamond in the rough shine.
Jonathan Tah (Bayer Leverkusen) - 7.19
Somewhat unlucky to not be included in Jogi Loew’s Germany squad for Euro 2016, Jonathan Tah is one who has a bright future ahead of him. Bayer Leverkusen kept a clean sheet in 13 of the 29 league matches the 20-year-old started in the Bundesliga this season, with the team far stronger with the youngster at the heart of the defence.
A statistically calculated WhoScored strength of ‘ball interception’ is warranted given he averaged 3.1 interceptions in the Bundesliga this term, one of the best returns. This allows for the highly rated centre-back to instigate attacks from defence and contributed to a WhoScored rating of 7.19. Tah is one of the most highly rated defenders on the continent and for good reason following another impressive campaign.
Nathan Ake (Watford) - 7.15
Watford may have limped over the finish line following a storming start to the season that ultimately secured their Premier League safety, but they weren’t without their impressive individual performers. Nathan Ake secured a loan move to Vicarage Road last August and was one of their better players as they consolidated their place in England’s top tier next term.
The 21-year-old did his chances of securing a regular spot for Chelsea no harm during his stint for Watford, averaging more tackles (3.3) and interceptions (3.2) than any other Hornets player in the Premier League this season. “I’ve been really happy that Watford gave me that chance,” Ake said upon the culmination of his loan spell. The experience the Dutchman garnered will stand him in good stead as he proved he can successfully ply his trade in the Premier League.
Corentin Tolisso (Lyon) - 7.27
It was a tumultuous season for Lyon, but 2016 saw their fortunes change for the better. Bruno Genesio’s appointment helped the French side qualify for the Champions League and while Alexandre Lacazette’s goals fired them back into Europe’s elite club competition, the defensive and offensive nous of Corentin Tolisso provided the necessary balance to help the French side.
The youngster is the ideal all-rounder in the middle of the park, getting forward to support the attack, but also carrying out his defensive responsibilities with consummate ease. An average of 2.7 tackles and 2 interceptions per game highlights his impressive shielding of the defence, while 1.9 shots and 1.2 key passes helped return five goals and six assists. The ideal link between defence and attack, he’s one to mould the side around in the coming seasons.
Saul Niguez (Atletico Madrid) - 7.37
Any player coming through the Atletico Madrid youth ranks seems tailor made for regular first team action and Saul Niguez is no exception. After a number of sporadic outings for the Colchoneros last term following a successful season long loan spell at Rayo Vallecano, the 21-year-old has rapidly established as a regular under Simeone at the Calderon, be it on the right flank or in a central midfield berth.
The necessary grit and determination, coupled with the will to win, renders Saul one of Atletico’s more important players, despite his young age. An average of three tackles per league game was second only to Filipe Luis (3.9) of all Atletico players this season and matches the 21-year-old’s statistically calculated WhoScored strength of ‘defensive concentration’. Yet, as his slaloming solo goal against Bayern Munich proved, his offensive output is just as important as his off the ball work, with the player an emerging star on the European circuit.
Ousmane Dembele (Rennes) - 7.55
As far as breakthrough seasons go, they don’t get much better than Ousamane Dembele’s. An unknown talent outside of Rennes 12 months ago, the teenage sensation was thrust into action back in November, netting on his full debut and landing the WhoScored man of the match. He didn’t look back following the 2-2 draw with Bordeaux, ending the campaign with 12 goals and a further five assists to recently earn a big money move to Borussia Dortmund.
Directness on the ball is one of Dembele’s biggest strengths with the 19-year-old averaging 4.1 successful dribbles per game this season, the fourth best in Europe’s top five leagues. Comfortable across the attack and with a consistent end product, Dembele’s star is only just beginning to rise. He’s expected to go far in the game and for good reason.
Dele Alli (Tottenham) - 7.35
Like Dembele, it’s been another excellent breakthrough season for youngster Dele Alli. Injuries forced Mauricio Pochettino to utilise the young midfielder when the season was in its ascendancy and it’s since been a whirlwind 12 months for the 20-year-old. Now a fully fledged England international, with the hopes of the nation resting on his shoulders ahead of Euro 2016, Alli will hope to repay the faith shown in him on the national stage as he has done for club.
10 goals and nine assists was a superb return for Alli in the Premier League this season as Tottenham secured Champions League football, while his partnership with compatriot with Harry Kane propelled Spurs up the table. Of Alli’s nine assists this season, seven were for a Kane goal, the joint-best assist to goalscorer combination in the Premier League this season. While his temper is cause for concern, his performances have seen seem him dubbed one of the most talented youngster’s in Europe.
Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich) - 7.52
On Saturday, Bayern Munich secured the DFB-Pokal at Borussia Dortmund’s expense to end Pep Guardiola’s time at the club on a positive note. In the process, Frenchman Kingsley Coman earned his 10th career winners’ medal - not bad for a 19-year-old. A loan signing from Juventus, Coman earned rave reviews for his performances for the German side and deservedly so.
An average of 3.7 successful dribbles per game was the most of all players in the Bundesliga this season, with Coman’s directness when in possession his strongest asset. His outings for Bayern this term earned the teenager a call up to Didier Deschamps’ France squad for Euro 2016 with his club form meaning opponents on the international stage need to be wary of the devastating offensive threat Coman carries.
Anthony Martial (Manchester United) - 7.23
Dubbed by some to be a waste of money upon his big money arrival at Manchester United, Anthony Martial rapidly silenced the doubters by netting on his debut in the 3-1 win over Liverpool back in September. The Frenchman, who like Coman will be turning out for France this summer, ended a successful debut season with 11 league goals and a further four assists to his name to contribute to a WhoScored rating of 7.23.
While former Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal often deployed Martial on the left wing following Marcus Rashford’s emergence, the 20-year-old did not let his change in position affect his impact, with the France international utilising his searing pace to average 2.7 successful dribbles in the Premier League this season. A successful showing at Euro 2016 will only increase the lengthy list of admirers Martial has accumulated over the course of the campaign.
Who would make your young team of the season from the 2015/16 campaign? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below
