Most productive U21 forwards in Top Five Leagues

After Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe, this could very well be the next generation of football talents.

With the gradual descent of Neymar, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, the likes of Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe are the flagbearers of the next generation.

Not too far behind them are another set of highly talented youngsters who will surely be the talk of world football in the years to come.

 

1.Hugo Ekitike

Stade de Reims may not be one of the top teams in French football but Hugo Ekitike has certainly caught the eye with his excellent performances.

The 19-year-old is currently averaging an exceedingly impressive goal contributions average of 0.78 per90 in the league, which puts him at the top of our list.

Ekitike was a major transfer target for Newcastle United in January and certainly will be a player they will attempt to sign again in the summer.

 

2. Patrick Wimmer

Arminia Bielefeld’s Patrick Wimmer has been lighting up the show in the Bundesliga and has been a shining star for the club as they battle to survive relegation.

Blessed with great technique and a tireless work ethic, it is therefore a huge bonus that Wimmer has great end-product to his game as well. The 20-year old Austrian is currently averaging about 0.63 goal contributions per90, which puts him second on our list amongst U21 talents.

 

3. Sepe Elye Wahi

Montpellier youngster Sepe Elye Wahi has been making all the right noises this season in Ligue 1.

The 19-year-old Frenchman has 7 goals and 1 assist in 14 starts and has been notable in his performances off the bench. Currently averaging 0.60 goal contributions per90, his impressive numbers put him third on our list.

 

4. Georginio Rutter

Hoffenheim’s Georginio Rutter is certainly the talk of the town in the Bundesliga with his exceedingly impressive displays for the club.

The Frenchman is a complete forward and has excited Hoffenheim fans and neutrals alike with his displays. Currently averaging nearly 0.59 goal contributions per90, it won’t be too long before bigger teams across Europe take notice.

 

5. Bukayo Saka

Arsenal are on the brink of something special and Bukayo Saka may just be the most special of them all. The 20-year-old is a fan-favourite at the Emirates and it’s not difficult to see why.

Scoring 7 goals and making 4 assists so far in the Premier League, Saka is currently averaging 0.54 goal contributions per90 for the season and is well set to finish as one of the more productive forwards in the league.

A combination of versatility, technique and great composure on the ball, Saka is destined to be one of the best talents coming up in English football.

 

6. Armando Broja

It has been a long wait for Chelsea-owned Armando Broja to make his name in the big leagues but this season might be the start of something special for him.

At Southampton, the 20-year old Albanian international has notched six times for the Saints so far this season and has certainly been one of the bright sparks of Ralph Hassenhuttl’s side. He is currently averaging 0.41 goal contributions per90.

He may never make the grade at Chelsea, but Broja has shown enough to make himself a more than useful asset for any club across the Top Five Leagues.

 

7. Arnaud Kalimuendo

After impressing on loan last season at Lens, Arnaud Kalimuendo is back at it this season at the club and is making huge strides in his game.

Just 19 years of age, Kalimuendo has already matched his tally of 7 goals from last season in 1388 minutes played and is poised to better that tally before the end of the season.

The French youngster is currently averaging 0.39 goal contributions per90 and that places him seventh on our list.

 

8. Jamie Leweling

Greuther Furth may be bottom of the table in the Bundesliga but Jamie Leweling is certainly providing fans with something to cheer for.

The 21-year-old German has scored 4 goals and made 1 assist so far this season and is currently averaging 0.34 goal contributions per90. Those figures place him high amongst the best young talents, amongst forwards, in the Bundesliga.

 

9. Nathanael Mbuku

Alongside Ekitike, Nathanael Mbuku is another player that has garnered a lot of attention in Ligue 1.

The mazy dribbler has also shown glimpses of output and at just 19 years of age, he still has plenty of time to add various pieces of skill to his game.

Mbuku is currently averaging 0.24 goal contributions per90 having played more than 1000 minutes for Reims this season.

 

10. Mohamed Ali-Cho

The youngest on our list and potentially the most travelled player for his age in the top five leagues, Mohamed Ali Cho is making all the right noises in Ligue 1 with Angers.

The 18-year-old has only scored twice but is nominally deployed as a wide forward and therefore has a different role in the team. Averaging about 0.13 goal contributions per90, expect that figure to improve as time goes on.

With teams like Borussia Dortmund reportedly keeping an eye on him, there’s no doubt that Ali Cho is headed straight to the top.

 

All stats are from Statsbomb via Fbref and considering players with at least 12 matches played in the 21/22 season.