These are the 10 most valuable footballers under 21

06 July 2015 22:16

The most valuable player in the world under the age of 21 is an Englishman. He *currently* plays for Liverpool but that might not be the case for too much longer… and if you can’t get it from that description then there’s no hope for you. It’s Raheem Sterling.

That’s according to the Soccerex 20 U-21 Report, which reviewed and valued the best young footballers out there. Sterling isn’t the only Englishman either, and there’s a fair few others who ply their trade in the Premier League too.

Here’s a run down of the top 10.

1. Raheem Sterling – £34.5 million

Raheem Sterling tops the list of the most valuable players under 21
(Soccerex)

Yep, the young Liverpool player tops the list and that’ll no doubt be music to Brendan Rodgers’ ears. Manchester City have been after him, with Sterling refusing a new contract offer on Merseyside, but have so far seen two offers rejected – one of which was over £5 million more than what Soccerex value Sterling at.

2. Marquinhos – £27.8 million

Brazilian Marquinhos is rated the second most valuable young footballer in the world
(Soccerex)

PSG’s Brazilian centre-half probably wouldn’t be one of the first names you think of when pondering the best young players in world football, but a good defender can be worth a lot. He can become a rock in an ageing Brazilian defence and should his good performances in France continue, he’ll no doubt start attracting more interest from the “bigger” clubs.

3. Memphis Depay – £23.5 million

Manchester United's Memphis Depay is the third most valuable young player in the world
(Soccerex)

Here’s one for Manchester United fans to be happy about – their new signing is rated very highly. Depay’s tremdnous form for PSV – scoring, assisting and helping them to their first league title in years – has meant that even before reaching United he was rated as the third best young player in the world.

United fans will just be hoping he proves that for them.

4. Domenico Berardi – £21.3 million

Domenico Berardi is rated fourth in the most valuable under 21 players
(Soccerex)

Let’s hope the Juventus board never see this list, because they’ve just sold Berardi for a fee reported to be a lot less than what he’s valued at by Soccerex.

It seemed a strange decision at the time and although most of us outside of Italy hadn’t heard about Berardi prior to the under-21 European Championship this summer, his performances there seemed to merit him being placed somewhere on this list. Time will tell whether he deserves to be so high up.

5. Jose Gimenez – £21.1 million

Jose Gimenez is ranked fifth in the most valuable players under 21
(Soccerex)

Well timed tackles can win you football matches, and that’s why Atletico Madrid’s young centre back is valued so highly by Soccerex. He’s clearly impressed Diego Simeone to have gotten so much game time last season, and that’s no mean feat. He’s expected to be playing right at the top for years to come.

6. Hakan Calhanoglu – £19.2 million

Hakan Calhanoglu of Turkey is rated the sixth most valuable player
(Soccerex)

A wildcard at number six – Calhanoglu plays for arguably the most hipster side in Europe at the moment, Bayer Leverkusen, and starred for them last season, particularly in the Champions League.

He’s been compared to Mesut Ozil for his ability to pick a pass, but he already seems more comfortable in front of goal than the German. Without a doubt he’ll be one to keep an eye on next season, and don’t be surprised if he crops up at one of Europe’s top clubs in years to come.

7. Mateo Kovacic – £18.2 million

Mateo Kovacic makes the top 10 most valuable players under 21
(Soccerex)

Kovacic has been strongly linked with a move to Liverpool and he’s definitely a Brendan Rodgers type signing – in fact, he’s the man who replaced Philippe Coutinho at Inter Milan after Rodgers snapped up the Brazilian.

But unlike Coutinho, Kovacic is comfortable playing a bit deeper in the midfield as well. He’s the type of player who’s always in demand and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him crop up in the Premier League over the next few seasons – if not sooner.

8. Jose Gaya – £18.1 million

Gaya is valued at over £18 million
(Soccerex)

Gaya will no doubt become one of Europe’s top full-backs, and is a player similiar to Valencia’s old left-back Jordi Alba.

He’s worked his way up from the academy and is just as dangerous in forward positions as he is formidable going backwards.

9. Luke Shaw – £17.7 million

Luke Shaw made the top 10
(Soccerex)

These figures would suggest Man United massively overpaid for their young English left-back, but he could still end up earning them a profit in time.

We’ve yet to see the best of Shaw in a United or England shirt, but his performances for Southampton earned him the high value move and next season is his time to show he was worth it.

10. Aymeric Laporte – £16.7 million

Laporte is a highly rated centre-back
(Soccerex)

Here’s another name you might not know unless you’re a keen player of career mode on Fifa, or if you love a bit of transfer gossip. Laporte is a young French centre back who’s been turning heads in La Liga for his performances with Athletic Bilbao, and it’s for that reason Man United were said to be interested in signing him.

Laporte has a £30 million buy-out clause in his contract though, showing how highly the Basque club rate him, and if he’s to leave before his contract runs out then it will be to a team willing to pay at least that much.

Other names of note on Soccerex’s report include Chelsea’s Kurt Zouma, who’s valued at over £15 million. The youngest player on the 20 man list is Anderlecht’s Belgian midfielder Youri Tielemans, who’s just 18.

There are also two other Englishman who made the cut – Everton’s John Stones who’s valued at £11.7 million, and Arsenal’s Calum Chambers whose value is said to be £10.5 million. Liverpool’s Emre Can is ranked 15th on the list, three places above his Anfield teammate Divock Origi.

Source: SNAPPA