Most progressive U21 midfielders across Top Five Leagues

Ball progression is one of the key skills of being a top midfielder and these players are some of the best youngsters that the top five leagues feature.

Following in the footsteps of modern-day midfield legends such as Toni Kroos and Luka Modric, this is the next generation of top ball progressors.

 

 

1. Florian Wirtz

Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz is Germany’s gem in the making and has been one of the finest players in the Bundesliga this season. A special blend of passing ability as well carrying ability, Wirtz is the best ball progressor in his age category, amongst midfielders across Europe.

Progressive passes – 5.13

Progressive carries – 7.40

 

2. Sofiane Diop

Though Aurelien Tchouameni is getting all the attention at Monaco, Sofiane Diop is another who deserves a lot of praise as well. The box to box midfielder has shown great range in his ability to carry the ball and progress further up the pitch, not only that, Diop is also an accomplished passer of the ball.

Progressive carries – 7.05

Progressive passes – 4.97

 

3. Yacine Adli

Soon to be on his way to Milan in the summer, Yacine Adli is continuing to give Serie A fans a glimpse of what he is all about at Bordeaux in Ligue 1. Adli is one of the highest rated midfielders in French football and he represents nothing short of a coup for Milan.

Progressive carries – 5.30

Progressive passes – 5.60

 

4. Azzedine Ounahi

Another youngster to emerge at Angers is Azzedine Ounahi. The 21 year old Moroccan has come off the bench quite a lot for the team but has impressed nonetheless. His ball progression are notable both in terms of carrying and passing.

Progressive carries – 6.03

Progressive passes – 4.64

 

5. Gavi Paez

Several youngsters at Barcelona have managed to make the step up to the first-team in recent years and Gavi is the next big prodigy to make it at the club. Blessed with a great technical skill set, Gavi is hugely proficient at progressing the ball with his carries and combines that with more than competent passing.

Progressive carries – 7.08

Progressive passes – 3.22

 

6. Oliver Skipp

The first half of the season really gave Oliver Skipp a chance to show Spurs fans what he is all about. The midfielder is technically sound and did well to make a case for himself as part of the Spurs first-team in the seasons to come.

Progressive carries – 5.66

Progressive passes – 4.60

 

7. Dominik Szoboszlai

Hungarian international Dominik Szoboszlai is a star in the making for his national team and is now the new poster boy of the RB talent machine. After making a name for himself at Salzburg, Szoboszlai is now making a mark at Leipzig in the Bundesliga. Gifted with the ball at his feet when passing or carrying, the Hungarian is truly a delight to watch in full stride.

Progressive carries – 6.18

Progressive passes – 4.02

 

8. Jacob Ramsey

Aston Villa’s Jacob Ramsey has been an incredibly exciting watch for Premier League fans this season and has been likened on more than one occasion with Jude Bellingham and former England greats including his manager Steven Gerrard himself. The young English midfielder is very good on the ball and is likely to serve Villa extremely well with his talents in the present as well as the future.

Progressive carries – 6.23

Progressive passes – 3.65

 

9. Khéphren Thuram-Ulie

Brother of Marcus Thuram, Thuram-Ulie has been building his reputation quietly in Ligue 1 as one of the more solid progressors of the ball in the league. Currently at Nice, he is blossoming into a competent midfielder capable of progressing the ball equally well either when carrying or passing.

Progressive carries – 5.68

Progressive passes – 4.17

 

10. Emile Smith-Rowe

Wearing the number 10 at Arsenal is a huge responsibility for anyone but for Smith-Rowe, there is no pressure. The young midfielder is without a doubt one of the finest young talents in the Premier League and alongside Bukayo Saka, is destined to be a pillar at the Emirates for years to come. Though passing may not be his best attribute, to his credit, Smith-Rowe is highly skilled on the ball and is able to progress the ball into dangerous areas with his mazy carries and then pick his passes too.

Progressive carries – 6.8

Progressive passes – 2.94

 

All stats are from Fbref including midfielders with at least 12 matches played.