Manchester United target and Real Madrid signing star in top-rated Euro U21s XI

The stage is set for the latest European U21 Championships to kick-off in Italy and it’s safe to say there’s an abundance of talent that will be on show, many of whom have already received senior international recognition.

We take a look at the highest rated XI that will be in action at the tournament this summer based on our statistical ratings from Europe’s top five leagues last season.

Goalkeeper: Alex Meret (Italy) - 6.77

The hosts certainly have stiff competition for a starting spot in goal, with Juventus youngster Emil Audero - who spent last season on loan as Sampdoria’s first choice keeper - vying for a place with Meret. The 22-year old had also claimed the number one spot with Napoli by the end of the previous campaign, averaging 3 saves per 90 minutes and boasting an impressive 75 per cent save success rate.

Right-back: Aaron Wan-Bissaka (England) - 7.27

Not just the top right-back but the highest rated player from Europe’s top five leagues at the tournament this summer, Wan-Bissaka is set for a busy summer on and off the pitch. The Crystal Palace star ranked among the Premier League’s top three players for tackles and interceptions in what was his first full season of senior football.

Centre-back: Ibrahim Konate (France) - 7.19

Konate enjoyed an excellent season with RB Leipzig, helping the Bundesliga outfit to a Champions League finish in third owing in no small part to the best defensive record in the division. Getting the nod over France teammate Dayot Upamecano, the 20-year-old had a big impact on the club’s results, winning 63 per cent of the league matches he started while Leipzig won just two of the seven (29 per cent) that he didn’t.

Centre-back: Vukasin Jovanovic (Serbia) - 7.08

Captain of a Serbia side that could be a dark horse to go all the way this summer, Jovanovic is joined in the squad by a number of senior internationals and has enjoyed a breakthrough season at Bordeaux. The centre-back’s anticipation was a highlight, averaging 2.4 interceptions per 90 minutes as the Ligue 1 side conceded just 0.8 goals per game in the 23-year-old’s 15 starts.

Left-back: Aaron Martin (Spain) - 6.98

It was something of a surprise when highly-rated full-back Martin made the move from Espanyol to Mainz last summer but he did his reputation no harm in his debut Bundesliga campaign. The 22-year-old only missed one league game all season, and played an important role for his club at both ends, leading the way for Mainz in tackles (55), key passes (63), accurate crosses (52) and dribbles (45), whilst registering three assists.

Centre midfield: Houssem Aouar (France) - 7.05

A mainstay in the Lyon side at the age of 20, Aouar also missed just one league match last season - starting 35 - playing in a variety of midfield roles. Likely to play from a deeper position in an attacking France lineup, the playmaker is still able to do just that from the base of midfield and chipped in with seven goals and seven assists in Ligue 1 alone last term.

Centre midfield: Fabian Ruiz (Spain) - 7.25

Having had to start the season as a substitute more often than not following a summer move to Napoli, Fabian looks set to be a star for the club for the years to come if, that is, they can keep hold of him. The 23-year-old recently made his senior international debut having ended the Serie A season with five goals and four assists, creating the fourth most chances from open play in the division despite only starting 20 of 27 appearances.

Centre midfield: James Maddison (England) - 7.20

While Napoli’s fans were made to wait to witness Fabian’s creative skills Maddison was an instant hit at Leicester following his step up from the Championship last summer. The 22-year-old missed just two Premier League matches - one through suspension - and was the only player in England’s top-flight to register 100 key passes, heralding a modest seven assists along with seven goals for himself.

Right wing: Jonathan Bamba (France) - 7.02

While clubmate Nicolas Pepe stole the headlines for Lille Bamba played an important role in the club’s unexpected second placed finish. The 23-year-old, who arrived on a free transfer from Saint-Etienne, scored 13 goals having played in every single league game - starting 35 - and, when excluding penalties, just one fewer than Pepe’s haul from open play.

Left wing: Marcus Thuram (France) - 7.00

A familiar name to the French national team, Marcus is the son of les bleus legend Lilian but is a very different type of player. Only called up to the squad as a late replacement for Martin Terrier, Thuram will hope to take his chance having been the sole bright spark in a season of gloom at relegated Guingamp. The 21-year-old will surely be on the move this summer having scored nine goals from his station on the left wing, with only two players completing more dribbles over the campaign (101).

Striker: Luka Jovic (Serbia) - 7.00

Following a mega money move to Real Madrid Jovic is perhaps the star name at the Championships and his inclusion in the squad suggests Serbia have genuine designs on going the distance. In what was his second season on loan in the Bundesliga with Frankfurt, the 21-year-old scored 17 goals along with a further ten in the Europa League as the German outfit fell at the semi-final stage. Super confident and capable of scoring with both feet and his head, Jovic should prove too much for some of the defenders in Italy over the next month.