50 youngsters to watch in Europe’s top 5 leagues: 20-16
20. Richarlison (Watford / 20 / AM(L)/FW(L)) - WhoScored.com rating 7.17*
Though he arrived at Watford with a significant price tag to live up to, Watford fans would no doubt have been a little forgiving had it taken Richarlison some time to settle in the Premier League. The fact, then, that the 20-year-old made such a strong start and hasn’t looked back has made him an instant hit at Vicarage Road. Starting every single league game since making his debut from the bench on the opening day, the winger has scored five goals and registered four assists in the league for the Hornets. It’s his work rate both in defence and attack that has really won over the fans, with the young Brazilian confident enough to fire off 3.1 shots per game whilst still weighing in with 2 tackles per game to boot.
19. Rodri (Villarreal / 21 / DM(C)) - WhoScored.com rating 7.20*
While Pablo Fornals often steels the limelight directly ahead of him, it’s Rodri’s tenacity and desire in defensive midfield that allows Villarreal’s more attacking players to shine. The 21-year-old broke into the side last season but is now very much a mainstay in the XI owing to his ability to both regain and retain possession. It’s his passing that has been most impressive this season, both in terms of accuracy and range. An average of 65.3 per game is among the highest in Spain, and the youngster is accurate with a superb 89.5% of said attempts despite completing 5 long balls per game.
18. Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad / 20 / AM(L/R)) - WhoScored.com rating 7.21*
Another young Spaniard hoping to earn a call up to the senior side ahead of the World Cup, Oyarzabal made a superb start to the season in La Liga, finding the net with real regularity where the season previous he had really struggled. The 20-year-old has, after all, been a regular for Real Sociedad for the best part of two years now, but scored just twice last season despite featuring in every league game. This time around he’s notched six times in just 14 starts, as well as weighing in with three assists, with strong figures across the board in terms of shots (1.8), key passes and dribbles (both 1.7) per game.
17. Allan Saint-Maximin (Nice / 20 / AM(C/L/R)) - WhoScored.com rating 7.23*
When Monaco allowed Allan Saint-Maximin to sign for Nice in the summer following a fine season on loan at Bastia in 2016/17, there were some that felt the reigning Ligue 1 champions were too quick to allow him to leave. The attacking midfielder, capable of playing on either flank or behind the striker, continues to dazzle with his dribbling ability, with 3.3 per game this season ranking fourth behind, arguably the league’s three brightest talents in Neymar, Fekir and Mbappe. It’s his end product that needs work, with one goal and three assists in the league thus far, but Saint-Maximin has started just 11 of 14 appearances and will hope to become a more regular feature in the side this year.
16. Lucas Torreira (Sampdoria / 21 / M(C)) - WhoScored.com rating 7.24*
There’s something about the ball winning role that just seems to lend itself to diminutive players, and Lucas Torreira is certainly no exception. The Uruguayan, however, is far more than that alone, and it’s composure and elegance in possession that is just as impressive as his ability to win it back for his side. At 21 he is unquestionably the jewel in a decent Sampdoria side, becoming a first team regular instantly upon his arrival from Pescara in 2016. Still uncapped at international level, it would be something of a travesty if Torreira didn’t have a place at the World Cup having averaged 65 passes per game at an 87% accuracy and averaged a solid 2.6 tackles too.
*WhoScored.com rating from starts alone. Players aged 21 or under as of 09.01.18 (minimum of ten in Europe’s top 5 leagues this season to qualify)
