U21 stars around Europe to consider for your Football INDEX portfolios
Here we run through the best rated XI from Europe’s top five leagues, comprising only of players aged 21 and under.
Goalkeeper: Ionut Radu (Genoa) – 7.37 rating
Genoa slipped to a 2-1 defeat away to 2-1 defeat away to Torino but it could have been much worse, as 21-year-old goalkeeper Ionut Radu made seven saves to ensure Genoa at least had a fighting chance in the second half.
Left-back: Faitout Maouassa (Nimes) – 7.54 rating
Nimes have now won successive league matches for the first time since the start of the season after beating Amiens 3-0 on Saturday. 20-year-old Faitout Maouassa has endured a mixed campaign to date but had a solid outing at the weekend, particularly excelling in attack. Maouassa created three goalscoring opportunities and completed two dribbles.
Centre-back: Jordan Torunarigha (Hertha Berlin) – 9.10 rating
Jordan Torunarigha scored his first goal of the season in Hertha Berlin’s 2-0 win away to Hannover on Saturday. The 21-year-old also provided the assist for Hertha’s other goal to cap off a fantastic individual performance. He also made five clearances and two tackles to help the Bundesliga side keep a clean sheet.
Centre-back: Issa Diop (West Ham) – 7.96 rating
Issa Diop turned in another commanding performance for West Ham, this time helping the Hammers record a big 3-0 win away to Newcastle on Saturday. Diop won four aerial duels, five clearances and completed six tackles – the most he has managed in a Premier League game. Jose Mourinho referred to the Frenchman as a 'monster' earlier in the season and his Football INDEX share price is only £1.56. He looks to have a bright future.
Right-back: Pedro Porro (Girona) – 7.86 rating
Girona impressively held Atletico Madrid to a 1-1 draw on Sunday and 19-year-old defender Pedro Porro was influential at both ends. The teenage right-back made five tackles and interceptions combined and also completed three dribbles. Not only was Porro fouled twice, but he also registered two key passes.
Central midfield: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester) – 8.10 rating
Leicester prolonged their unbeaten run with a 2-0 win over Watford at the weekend and Wilfred Ndidi excelled for the Foxes. The 21-year-old weighed in with eight tackles, the most in the Premier League this weekend, and also made three interceptions and five clearances. Ndidi also won three aerial duels in a dominant midfield performance.
Central midfield: Rodrigo Bentancur (Juventus) – 8.28 rating
Rodrigo Bentancur is enjoying a sublime campaign for Juventus after finally nailing down a regular starting berth for the Old Lady. The 21-year-old has already started four more league games this term than his first season at the club. Bentancur netted his second league goal of the season at the weekend and weighed in with five tackles and interceptions combined.
Central midfield: Oscar Rodriguez (Leganes) – 8.46 rating
On-loan Real Madrid attacking midfielder, Oscar Rodriguez, delivered his most eye-catching performance of the season in Leganes 4-2 win away to Rayo Vallecano on Saturday. The 20-year-old had only played a direct hand in one goal in 10 previous league appearances this season but was directly involved in two goals at the weekend. Rodriguez had six shots and registered three key passes in total. Given his connections to Madrid, his Football INDEX share price has unsurprisingly jumped 19.65% in the last seven days and is now £1.34.
Left wing: Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund) – 8.98 rating
After a quiet couple of outings, Jadon Sancho returned to his best form in Borussia Dortmund’s 2-0 win over Freiburg. Despite failing to score or assist, Sancho was named the WhoScored Man of the Match for his outstanding contributions. Sancho weighed in with nine dribbles, the most in a Bundesliga game this season. Sancho's Football INDEX share price has actually dropped in the last 24 hours and it may be focusing on his team-mate, Christian Pulisic, ahead of the January transfer window.
Striker: Marcus Rashford (Manchester United) – 8.13 rating
Jose Mourinho successfully got a reaction out of Marcus Rashford at the weekend following his nightmare showing against Young Boys in midweek. The 21-year-old assisted both of United’s goals as Mourinho’s side came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Southampton. Rashford eventually ran out of gas after registering four key passes and completing three dribbles.
Right wing: Ousmane Dembele (Barcelona) – 9.20 rating
Ousmane Dembele has now scored or assisted in each of his last three appearances for Barcelona after providing an assist in a 2-0 win over Villarreal on Saturday. The France international had three shots in total, registered four assists and completed eight dribbles. He was simply too good for Villarreal and Barcelona will hope he has turned a corner in his career.
