50 youngsters to watch in Europe’s top 5 leagues: 40-36
40. Jonjoe Kenny (Everton / 20 / D(R)) - WhoScored.com rating 7.03*
In the absence of Seamus Coleman it has been Kenny that has stepped up to take the right-back berth at Everton, despite competition from the likes of Cuco Martina and Mason Holgate. The 20-year-old has performed admirably in 13 league starts this season, making the second most clearances per game of any Premier League full-back (4.2) and averaging an impressive 2.3 tackles per game. His impact on the Toffees has been evident, helping the team win 1.5 points per game compared to just 0.9 in his absence.
39. Lorenzo Pellegrini (Roma / 21 / M(C)) - WhoScored.com rating 7.04*
Since arriving in Rome from Sassuolo in the summer, following in the footsteps of manager Eusebio Di Francesco, Pellegrini has had to settle into a rotation policy. The youngster has started ten of 14 league appearances, scoring twice and registering two assists. With 2.4 key passes per 90 minutes, his creativity is a strength, along with his shooting from distance, but it’s the 21-year-old’s all round ability that could make him central to a period of necessary transition for the Italian national side.
38. Andreas Christensen (Chelsea / 21 / D(C)) - WhoScored.com rating 7.05*
Christensen has impressed the Chelsea fans this season but his form shouldn’t really come as a surprise given his already extensive experience of top level football. At just 21 he has 75 top-flight matches - honing his skills on loan at Gladbach - and been capped 14 times by the Danish national side. He’ll be expected to start for the Scandinavians at the World Cup in the summer and has done his chances no harm in the current campaign having established himself as a first team regular under Antonio Conte. His composure at the back is a real asset, with only John Stones boasting a better pass accuracy in the Premier League this season (93.9%).
37. Santiago Ascacibar (Stuttgart / 20 / DM(C)) - WhoScored.com rating 7.05*
Making the move to the Bundesliga from the Argentine Primera Division in the summer, diminutive defensive midfielder Ascacibar drew comparisons with Javier Mascherano during his time in his homeland. He loves to tackle and break up play, averaging the second most tackles and interceptions per game combined in the Bundesliga this season (6.1) but does get himself in hot water at times as a result. 1.4 fouls per game isn’t particularly high for a player of his ilk but no player has picked up more bookings in Germany’s top-flight (7).
36. Pablo Maffeo (Girona / 20 / D/M(R)) - WhoScored.com rating 7.05*
Manchester City loanee Maffeo was among the youngsters that the club’s fans were keen to see more of this season, but a spell at feeder club Girona is paying dividends. Gaining invaluable experience in another top division, the 20-year-old is a first team regular in La Liga, starting 17 matches, predominantly from right wing-back. The youngster leads to newcomers to Spain’s top tier in tackles per game (2.8) and has supported their attacks well from wide.
*WhoScored.com rating from starts alone (minimum of ten in Europe’s top 5 leagues this season to qualify)
