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In the just-concluded 2021-22 season, several young players emerged as potential stars from around the world. These players took their chances given by their respective teams and delivered several impressive performances over the course of the season.
Every year, such young players emerge and manage to turn heads with their performances. In the last few years, players like Pedri, Ansu Fati, Eduardo Camavinga and several others have shone for their teams.
Unlike in the past, managers have learned to trust their young players more to deliver quality performances for them. Many managers have been vindicated for their decisions to allow these players to feature. Within a short time, several players aged 18 and under have become very valuable to their teams.
Without further ado, here is a list of the five most valuable young players aged 18 and under in the world.
Note - All valuations are according to transfermarkt.com.
#5 Mohamed-Ali Cho (€15 million)
Teenage striker Mohamed-Ali Cho has been one of Europe's most coveted youngsters in recent months. His precociousness and raw talent earned him a starring role for Angers in Ligue 1 which has proven to be the springboard for his career to take off.
Cho became the second-youngest player to sign a professional contract in France in May 2020. The 2004-born striker made his professional debut for the French club in August 2020, having previously featured for the youth teams of Everton and Paris Saint-Germain. The teenager scored four goals in 32 league appearances for his French club last season after turning regular. His performances over the course of the season have earned him a transfer to Spanish side Real Sociedad for around €12 million.
Cho is a France U-21 international and has made seven appearances for the side. The player previously represented England up to U-16 level, having been raised in the country. He is also eligible to play for Morocco and Cote d'Ivoire through his roots.
#4 Youssoufa Moukoko (€15 million)
Rumored to be developing at a much faster rate than former Borussia Dortmund teammate Erling Haaland, Youssoufa Moukoko is always a step ahead of his peers. The 17-year-old striker is one of Europe's best young players despite his tender years.
Moukoko made his debut in November 2020 just a day after turning 16, making him the youngest player in Bundesliga history. Despite his outrageous goalscoring exploits for his club's youth side, injuries have limited the teenager from playing regularly for the senior side. Moukoko has a mind-boggling tally of 142 goals and 26 assists from just 90 appearances for BVB at youth level. He scored two goals in 16 Bundesliga appearances last season for the senior team.
Moukoko is a Germany U-21 international despite having been born in Cameroon. He has featured for the German national team at U-16, U-20, and U-21 levels. He has scored six goals in four U-21 appearances despite being the youngest player on the team.
#3 Rayan Cherki (€18 million)
French youngster Rayan Cherki is a teammate of Mohamed-Ali Cho in the French U-21 national team. The 18-year-old winger plays for Olympique Lyonnais in the Ligue 1.
Cherki first appeared for Olympique Lyonnais' first team in October 2019 and is the youngest-ever player to score a senior goal for the club. The winger has remained in and around the first team since the 2019-20 season and has earned plaudits for some of his displays. He scored two goals and assisted four goals in 22 appearances for his club in the 2021-22 season.
Cherki has only ever appeared for the French national side's despite both his parents being Algerians. The talented player has scored four goals in four appearances for the U-21 side and has also played for the U-16 and U-19 sides.
#2 Gavi (€60 million)
Twelve months ago, the name Gavi was hardly known outside of Barcelona's youth ranks. The 17-year-old midfielder has, however, become a bonafide global star over the past year.
Gavi got the chance to play for Barcelona partly due to the club's financial troubles, but has grabbed the opportunity with both hands. The midfielder made his debut for the club in August 2021 after impressing in pre-season. He went on to become an integral player for the Catalan club as his quality continuously shone through. He ended the season with two goals and six assists in 34 league appearances.
Gavi made his international debut for Spain in October 2021 and is the youngest-ever player for to represent La Roja at the senior level. He is also his country's youngest-ever goalscorer after he eclipsed the record previously held by teammate Fati. He was nominated for this year's Golden Boy award and is one of the frontrunners for the award.
#1 Jude Bellingham (€80 million)
Sometimes, it seems scarcely believable that Jude Bellingham is still only 18 years old. The English midfielder is one of the most sought-after midfielders in the game today due to his excellent skillset and ability.
Bellingham made his professional debut at 16 years of age for Birmingham City before moving to Borussia Dortmund in 2020. The midfielder is Dortmund's youngest-ever goalscorer in the DFB Pokal and has distinguished himself as a top talent over the last two years. Bellingham ended the 2021-22 season with three goals and eight assists in 32 league appearances.
Bellingham has featured for England's U-15, U-16, U-17, U-21, and senior teams in his career. The teenage player has made 15 appearances for the Three Lions and played in Euro 2020 for the side.
