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#3 Jurrien Timber (80.7)
Ajax centre-back Jurrien Timber played a significant number of minutes in 2021. He moved to the senior team in 2020, and has since made 58 appearances for them across competitions.
A hamstring injury, COVID-19 and pancreatitis hampered the 20-year-old's 2020-21 campaign, but he has been a regular for them this term. In 2021, the defender played 4438 minutes, averaging 80.7 minutes per game.
While most of his appearances have come at the centre of defence for the Dutch giants, he can also play as a right-back. This season, he has made 27 appearances for Ajax across competitions.
#2 Ilya Zabarnyi (84.0)
Dynamo Kyiv defender Ilya Zabarnyi also racked up a lot of minutes among under-20 players in Europe in 2021. The 20-year-old was promoted to the club's senior team in 2020, and immediately made the centre-back position his own.
He made 36 appearances for the club across competitions last season, and has added another 23 under his belt this term. Overall, the defender played a total of 5006 minutes in 2021, which translates to 84 minutes per game.
Zabarnyi played a key role in Kyiv's 2020-21 domestic double. Chelsea were linked with the youngster last summer, but a move didn't materialise.
#1 Ryan Gravenberch (86.4)
Ajax's 19-year-old central midfielder Ryan Gravenberch played the most minutes among under-20 players in 2021. The Dutch international rose through the ranks at Ajax before joining the senior team in 2019.
In 2021, the 19-year-old registered 4687 minutes, averaging 86.4 per game. He has made 28 appearances for the Dutch giants across competitions this season, and is a vital cog in the team.
Gravenberch's consistent performances have forced the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Liverpool and Manchester City to take note.
The three European giants have been linked with the teenager recently, and he could be the subject of a transfer tug-of-war in the summer.
