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Midfielders are the players who run the game of football. They are crucial in setting up the style of play and controlling the flow of the game.
These players are the link between attack and defence often playing defence-splitting passes and breaking up opposition play as and when required. This season, the top leagues around the world have witnessed many amazing midfielders go about their business and pull the strings for their respective sides.
All the best teams in the world have that one player in the centre of the park capable of making a difference with a moment of magic. While the players on this list may all be under 23, they are already key players for their respective sides.
Let us take a look at the 10 most valuable U-23 midfielders in world football
#10 Youri Tielemans (€20 million)
Still only 20, but already the Belgian League’s biggest star, Youri Tielemans has been tipped to make a big-money move to a top European club in the summer transfer window. Blessed with an excellent range of passing, the versatile midfielder is capable of unlocking even the most stubborn of defences with his well-weighted through balls.
Already the captain of the very impressive Anderlecht side, Tielemans has displayed that he has enough mental strength and maturity to really make it big in the future. Youri is keen to learn from his mistakes( which are few and far between) and play with confidence and responsibility.
During his first ever press conference he was quoted as saying:
”I like taking my responsibilities. The two little dips in form that I endured- one last season and then again in the early part of this season have helped me grow. You have to dare to impose yourself if you want to become great. I’ve always had the soul of a leader. Age is unimportant.”
Manchester United, Liverpool and Monaco have all been linked with the talented midfielder and it will be interesting to see how the level headed youngster fares under pressure.
#9 Christian Pulisic (€22 million)
Still only 18 and already a crucial first team player for Borussia Dortmund, Christian Pulisic is considered to be the next big hope for the US Men’s National team. Capable of playing as an attacking midfielder or a winger, Pulisic already holds a host of records including being the youngest ever player to score a brace in the Bundesliga.
A modern day number 10, Pulisic is blessed with a low centre of gravity and is capable of leaving opposition defenders flat footed with his brilliant dribbling skills and pace. The young American also has an eye for goal and he has already scored 3 goals for the US National team and 5 goals for Dortmund in the Bundesliga.
His good performances with Dortmund drew a lot of attention from all the top clubs across Europe, however, the talented youngster recently signed a new deal with the Bundesliga giants which will keep him at the club until 2020.
#8 Naby Keita (€22.5 million)
The unsung hero in RB Leipzig’s incredible Bundesliga season, Naby Keita has been one of the best signings of the year. Signed from sister club Red Bull Salzburg, Keita has quickly established himself as Leipzig’s midfield mainstay.
A dynamic box-to-box midfielder, Keita has often been compared to Chelsea star N’golo Kante. The Guinea international is also blessed with excellent distribution and passing skills and what sets him apart from Kante is his ability to pop up with crucial goals.
Still only 21, Keita has already grabbed plenty of eyeballs with his performances in the Bundesliga this season. While Timo Werner and Emil Forsberg have grabbed all the attention with their stunning performances, Keita has arguably been Leipzig's most important player.
#7 Mateo Kovacic (€25 million)
Still only 22 and blessed with an incredible future, Kovacic is seen by many in the Real Madrid hierarchy as a perfect long-term successor to the Croatian magician Luka Modric. Although Kovacic has struggled to establish himself as a regular member of the first-team squad, his immense potential has been evident every time he has stepped onto the pitch.
The 22-year-old just like his older and more illustrious compatriot Luka Modric is capable of playing multiple positions across the midfield with equal ease and with more opportunities in the future, the Croatian can grow to become one of the best midfielders in the world.
This season Kovacic has shown his ample class whenever he has got the opportunity and Madrid will be happy that they have one of the most talented young midfielders in world football waiting to take over from Modric when the time is ripe.
#6 Joshua Kimmich (€25 million)
22-year-old Bayern Munich starlet Joshua Kimmich is one of the young German talents who is capable of really dominating world football in the future. Having first showcased his abilities as a right-back under Pep Guardiola, the youngster has now firmly established him as a defensive midfielder under Carlo Ancelotti.
Often compared to Ilkay Gundogan for his style of play, Kimmich has been praised for being a well-rounded footballer capable of contributing both in defence and attack. While Kimmich has constantly been linked with a move away, Ancelotti has come out and said that his prized asset is not for sale.
With 39 appearances and 8 goals so far this season, Kimmich has proved that he can grow up to become an integral part of Bayern Munich and the German national team squad in a variety of roles.
#5 Julian Weigl (€27 million)
Just 21 and already a full German international, Julian Weigl has been one of Borussia Dortmund’s most consistent players in the last two years. His calm and composed presence on the ball and his brilliant positioning has seen him become one of the game’s best defensive midfielders.
In fact, Weigl has been so good that he has been continuously linked with a move to Real Madrid with manager Zidane reported to be a huge fan of the young German’s talents. While Weigl is undoubtedly talented and full of potential, what makes him a star is his unmatched work ethic.
A hard tackling midfielder who is never shy of taking responsibility, Weigl is one of Bundesliga’s crown jewels and Dortmund will do well to hold on to this precociously talented German international.
#4 Renato Sanches (€30 million)
The most promising youngster in world football right now, Renato Sanches has put up some extremely impressive performances in the last one and a half years. The 19-year-old midfielder had his breakthrough season last year and quickly became Benfica’s midfield stay.
His good performances with Benfica soon earned him a call-up to the Portugal national team where he played a starring role in their Euro 2016 triumph. Sanches is blessed with good passing skills, dribbling, agility and his imposing physique makes him an intimidating opponent.
Having sealed a big money move to Bayern Munich last summer, Sanches will be looking to kick on and earn a regular starting spot with the Bundesliga giants. At just 19, Sanches has already been compared to Clarence Seedorf and if he continues playing in the same manner, those comparisons might well come true.
With Xabi Alonso retiring next season. Sanches could get enough opportunity to show exactly what he is capable of next season. Sanches is widely touted to be the next true World Class star after Cristiano Ronaldo to emerge from Portugal.
#3 Marco Asensio (€35 million)
The latest attacking midfielder coming out from Spain, Marco Asensio has really captured everyone’s imagination with his good performances in pre-season, UEFA Super Cup, and for Real Madrid whenever he has got the opportunity. Blessed with excellent passing skills, vision and intelligence, Asensio’s decision-making skills are already at a very high level despite the fact that he is still only 21.
The Real Madrid youngster also has great close control and dribbling skills, and he is never shy of taking on a player. Capable of scoring spectacular goals, Asensio’s performances have been so good that many Madrid fans feel that he is already higher up in the pecking order compared to established stars like James Rodriguez and Isco.
Rafael Nadal on a phone call to Perez convinced the Real Madrid president to buy Asensio from Mallorca, and Zidane and the Real Madrid board will be thanking the tennis star for recommending them to sign Asensio. The Real Madrid youngster is set to be Spain’s main playmaker in the coming years.
#2 Saul Niguez (€37 million)
One of the most versatile players in Spain, Saul Niguez has quickly developed into an important first-team player for Diego Simeone’s combative Atletico Madrid side. At just 22 years old, Saul still has plenty of time to determine his best position as his ability to read the play and intercept passes make him well-suited to a number of roles.
The versatile 22-year-old has played a number of positions with equal aplomb and class for Atletico Madrid this year. Be it in a defensive midfielder position, winger or even as a playmaker, Saul has been the go-to man for Simeone whenever the going has got tough.
Continuously linked with a move to Manchester United, Atletico Madrid will be desperate to hold onto their prized asset for at least another season. Still only 22, Saul this season has shown that he has the ability and talent to become one of the household names in the future.
#1 Dele Alli (€40 million)
Two-time PFA young player of the season and part of the PFA team of the year, Dele Alli has had a stunning season so far for Tottenham Hotspur. Having scored an incredible 16 goals in the Premier League, Alli along with Kane and Eriksen have made Tottenham genuine title contenders.
Considered to be one of the best midfielders in world football at the moment, many pundits think Alli has overtaken Pogba as the midfielder to watch out for in the Premier League. Dele Alli has been so inspirational this season that Pochettino thinks that the Englishman could become as good as Neymar in the future.
Speaking to beIN sports, Pochettino said:
“I think Dele Alli has a personality completely different maybe to Neymar. I think he’s a special player too. I don’t know if he’s in this level yet but the potential will be like him or better.”
He added: “I think Dele is an unbelievable player, great player, still very young and his potential is massive and we’ll see what happens. He has the potential to improve a lot.”
With Barcelona and Real Madrid both reportedly interested in signing the youngster, Tottenham will have to fight desperately to keep their prized asset in North London next season.
