We are nearing the half-way stage of the season across Europe, so join as we take a look at players aged 21 and under with the most goal contributions so far, to see who is at the forefront of the next generation.
Players Aged 21 and Under With the Most Goal Contributions in Europe’s Top Seven Leagues
5. Xavi Simons – RB Leipzig
It is hard to comprehend that Xavi Simons is still only 20-years-old given he has been in the public eye for the better part of a decade.
His decision to swap Barcelona for PSG four years ago, likely driven by infamous super agent Mino Raiola, appeared to have backfired somewhat after struggling to assert himself in a side overflowing with egos.
Nevertheless, such is the will and determination of the Netherlands’s crowning jewel that he finds himself back in the conversation amongst the finest young players in the world.
A goal-laden season at PSV last season reopened everyone’s eyes to the splendour of his playing style, hitting 21 goals and adding a further 12 assists.
Xavi Simons has scored twice and assisted twice in his last three UEFA Champions League appearances for RB Leipzig 👏
The last Dutch player under the age of 21 to score or assist in four consecutive games in the competition was Arjen Robben in 2004 🇳🇱 pic.twitter.com/0d6YbrhPtF
— LiveScore (@livescore) December 13, 2023
PSG sought to enact their £6 million buy-back clause to ward off a long line of potential suitors, although Simons has once again proven his maturity by seeking out a loan at RB Leipzig, who are providing him with some the best conditions for development in Europe.
Largely operating off the right wing, he is slightly unconventional in that he prefers to drift into a central position and dictate the tempo in accordance with his high-energy, explosive style.
He has nine assists and six goals for third-place Leipzig, including two of each in the Champions League.
4. Brian Brobbey – Ajax
Ajax have managed to sweep their tumultuous start to the season – their worst in 50 years – under the rug and return to the Eredivisie top five, although they remain eight points off fourth place Alkmaar who occupy the Europa Conference League spot.
Much of this recent change in fortune can be attributed to Brian Brobbey, who is more than repaying the club’s faith in him after bringing him back to the club two seasons ago, following a short spell at Leipzig.
Removing the fixture he missed against Vitesse with a muscular problem in November, the Dutchman is currently on an eight-game streak of either scoring or assisting, clocking in with four goals in previous three.
All in all, he has 11 goals and four assists in all competitions.
He is the latest in a long line of exceptional youngsters hot off the press at Ajax. His tendency to drop deep and join in with the initial build-up, coupled with the necessary speed and movement to bypass the opposition means he is fast becoming a man in demand across Europe’s top clubs.
3. Johan Bakayoko – PSV
Arsenal fans in particular will be more familiar than most with PSV’s Johan Bakayoko, who produced a spellbinding display on the final matchday of the Champions League group stage.
His five successful dribbles up against Jakub Kiwior is but a snapshot of the talent Bakayoko possesses. Just as it looked as if Belgium’s talent pool was dwindling, they suddenly have a frightening winger duo of Jeremy Doku and Bakayoko, both of whom are 21 and under.
Taking a look at the full Johan Bakayoko stats sheet this season, this is undoubtedly his breakthrough year. Aside from his four goals and 13 assists in all competitions – already seven more than he managed last season – he his averaging over three completed dribbles per-game in the Eredivisie, along with 2.7 key passes.
At 5-foot-10, he also has rare physicality for a winger of his pace and agility. Watch this space – he will be commanding a sizeable figure in the near future, should he continue on this path.
2. Florian Wirtz – Bayer Leverkusen
We have already taken an in-depth look at why Bayer Leverkusen will win the Bundesliga here at SportsLens, and it’s safe to Florian Wirtz has been one of the main drivers behind their staggering season.
German hearts sunk in March 2022 as the 20-year-old, who is widely regarded as one of the nation’s brightest talents, tore his ACL towards the tail end of what became a startling breakout year with seven goals and 10 assists.
Since returning to the fold in January of this year, he quickly dispelled any doubts that the 10-month lay-off may stunt his development, and has become a key figure in Xabi Alonso’s expansive overhaul.
This season in particular, he is the epitome of everything Leverkusen represent; total control of the tempo, but with purpose and precision.
Florian Wirtz. ✨🇩🇪
(🎥 @bayer04fussball) pic.twitter.com/9g1B8akucW
— Instant Foot ⚽️ (@lnstantFoot) December 13, 2023
Just take a look at this Florian Wirtz stats pack; eight goals, 11 assists, three key passes per-90 and just under three completed dribbles per-game.
Stats perhaps don’t – or can’t – encapsulate the feeling you get when you watch him. He is difficult to define, but his fluidity and freedom is allowed to flourish in Alonso’s table-topping Leverkusen side.
1. Jude Bellingham – Real Madrid
The Jude Bellingham to Real Madrid transfer in the summer of 2023 somehow felt inevitable, despite the Birmingham-born 20-year-old representing his boyhood club only three years ago.
Bellingham’s rise has been meteoric, almost incomparable to any other player over the past two decades – you have to rewind to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo’s evolution to find a case like his.
And now, at the world’s most iconic club, he is taking every challenge in his stride with total assurance that he is meant to be there, and that this is his club for the foreseeable.
Not many have graced the Bernabeau with the kind of infectious swagger and brazen cockiness that we have witnessed so far, particularly at 20. Only Cristiano Ronaldo can say he came close to matching Bellingham’s goalscoring record in his first 20 games for Los Blancos.
His goal at the weekend stretched his record to 17 in 20, while he has added five assists meaning he leads the way for players aged 21 and under with the most goal contributions with 22.
Truly terrifying numbers – it would come as no surprise to see Jude Bellingham Ballon D’or odds continue to plummet as he adds to this tally.
Add Sportslens to your Google News Feed!
