Young Stars: The best performing U21 players in Europe

• We looked at a few names that are popping up as the faces of the new generation, consistently delivering in attacking areas throughout Europe’s elite divisions.

There is no shortage of youthful talent in Europe’s top five leagues, but which under-21 players have stood out thus far this season?

We looked at a few names that are popping up as the faces of the new generation, consistently delivering the goods in attacking areas throughout Europe’s elite divisions.

Xavi Simons – RB Leipizg

Xavi Simons. Photo/GetGermanyNews

Last season, Xavi Simons had an incredible season with PSV Eindhoven. He finished the campaign as the Eredivisie’s top scorer with 19 league goals. After realizing their error in letting the Dutchman go, Paris Saint-Germain used a sweet buy-back clause to re-sign Simons for £5 million.

PSG decided that Simons’ growth would be best served on loan this season, so they sent the 20-year-old to RB Leipzig, a Bundesliga team known for being one of the finest at developing young talent. Simons has scored six goals and provided eight assists in the league since the transfer, which has been a big success.

It’s difficult to imagine the talented Dutch international not having a spot in the PSG lineup for the upcoming campaign.

Savio – Girona

Girona’s surprising campaign for the La Liga title has made them one of the season’s biggest storylines in Europe’s major leagues. Girona, who are playing in their fourth season in Spain’s top division, are now a point and a spot ahead of champions Barcelona after 28 games.

Savio, a 19-year-old standout player on loan from Troyes in France, has been one of the team’s stars. With eight goals and seven assists, the winger has become one of Spanish football’s most entertaining players.

Savio will join the Premier League in the summer as Manchester City quickly secured a €30 million agreement to capture the promising young player from their City Football Group rivals.

Florian Wirtz – Bayer Leverkusen

Florian Wirtz impressed in the Europa League.. Photo./Goal

Florian Wirtz, the star of a Bayer Leverkusen squad that is aiming for a historic treble this season, has solidified his place as the best player in German football following back-to-back injury setbacks.

In the Bundesliga, Wirtz has six goals and ten assists to lead the league leaders, who are ten points ahead of Bayern Munich in their quest for a first-ever league championship. In the Europa League, he has seven more goal involvements for Leverkusen, who are undefeated overall in 2023–2024.

All teams who dare attempt to break through the glass barrier in European football will have Leverkusen to contend with as the continent’s financial powerhouse vie for their best players and highly regarded head coach.

Maximilian Beier – Hoffenheim

Maximilian Beier, who had a breakout season at Hoffenheim, is the third Bundesliga star on our list.

The 21-year-old, who has scored 12 goals in the league and provided five assists this season, is vying for a spot in Germany’s team for the country’s home European Championship this summer.

After spending the previous season on loan at Hannover 96 in the 2.Bundesliga, Beier has adapted to the higher level with ease since returning to the Rhein-Neckar-Arena. Among the teams rumored to have monitored his development is Liverpool.

Cole Palmer – Chelsea

Cole Palmer celebrates after scoring against Middlesbrough. Photo Chelsea

Cole Palmer has been a Chelsea player for twenty years, according to Mauricio Pochettino, who stated that the summer signing’s ease in a Blue shirt has made it seem like that.

Since his unexpected transfer from Manchester City to Chelsea last summer, Palmer has been a revelation. He rose from the team’s shadow to become the team’s main player under Pep Guardiola.

With 11 goals and eight assists in the Premier League, the 21-year-old has established himself as a contender for a spot in the England team for Euro 2024 this month.

Jude Bellingham – Real Madrid

Jude Bellingham and Palmer, his teammate from England, are tied for the most goals and assists among under-21 players this season in the major divisions in Europe.

Bellingham chose Real Madrid over the summer of last year, despite the Spanish powerhouses’ high expectations, as the top teams in Europe fought for his services. Bellingham has since proven to be an instant success.

The 20-year-old has easily had the finest return of his career thus far with 16 league goals, a league-leading total. Bellingham, who won the 2022–2023 Bundesliga Player of the Season award, is a clear favorite to win the La Liga title this time around.