'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Young players are the toast of the town as they have been producing miraculous performances. Almost every top team in the world has a top young player from, Gabriel Jesus at Manchester City to Vinicius Junior at Real Madrid, to Kylian Mbappe at PSG, every top team has and wants young players.
The reason teams want youngsters in because they are long-term investments. Buying a star player who is 28 or 29 years old is a short-term investment, and once he retires, they will need to search for another player. That increases the money spent and doesn't help the club's finances.
Instead, buying a youngster for a cheap price is better and more profitable. Teams can keep the player till he is about 30 years old and then, sell him at a much higher price, as a result, making a lot of profit.
Young players are very influential in a team, and that can be shown through some examples. Kylian Mbappe was one of the most critical players for France in the World Cup and in the process, he even earned himself the Best Young Player Award. He is crucial for his club, PSG as well.
Gianluigi Donarumma is a key player for AC Milan while Christian Pulisic is as vital as Marco Reus for Borussia Dortmund. These examples reiterate the fact that youngsters have a game-changing influence.
In young players, forwards are the ones who have the most influence on a team. And today, we shall have a look at the top 5 centre-forwards aged 23 and below.
#5 Krzysztof Piatek
The Polish youngster has enjoyed a wonderful to start to his career and has quickly gone on to establish himself as one of the top young players. However, he isn't as famous as the other players who feature on this list. A lot of people don't know him properly and that is also the case with defenders of the opposition.
He has used this as an advantage and scored goals for fun. The Genoa forward has scored an astounding 7 goals in 3 matches, this season! This includes 4 goals in a Coppa Italia game, as well. In his entire career till now, he has played 156 games and scored 57 goals. He has also assisted 15 times and those stats tell us how good he is.
He has been dubbed as the next Robert Lewandowski by many and he definitely has the talent to live up to the expectations. Recently, some reports have claimed that Barcelona is keeping a close watch on Piatek and see him as a potential replacement for Luis Suarez.
All stats via Transfermarkt, youth team stats included as well.
#4 Marcus Rashford
The English international been sensational in his short career and has already been earmarked as one of the future. The Manchester United forward has impressed for both, club and country. The 20-year-old has been one of the few bright points for United, in what has been a torrid last 2 years for them.
However, he has had a slow start to this season with no goals for Manchester United, yet. Add to that, he has also picked up a Red Card and it makes his season more miserable. Amidst all this poor from, there is one bright light. His goal against Spain could be the start of a bumper season for him.
He has scored 37 goals in 140 games and assisted 17 times. These stats will only improve as time progresses.
#3 Timo Werner
He has had a dream start to his career and is one of the most exciting prospects in football. The German forward plays for Bundesliga club RB Leipzig and is their main man. The 22-year-old has played 246 matches in his career and has scored an amazing 114 goals to go with 41 assists.
He is an immensely talented player and he must leave RB Leipzig as soon as possible to establish himself as one of the best in the world. He was linked to teams like Real Madrid, Manchester United and Bayern Munich in the recently concluded, transfer window.
A move to a top-notch club could take place in the January transfer window, with a lot of teams interested in him.
#2 Gabriel Jesus
The Manchester City starlet is one of the best youngsters in the world and he is also one of the most lethal strikers in the Premier League. The Brazilian's rise has been rapid and it has been a delight to see him on the field. He is an entertainer on the field with his unique celebrations and priceless reactions.
He is a superb player and even managed to put Sergio Aguero on the bench due to his, immense talent. However, he has been in poor form over the last 2-3 months. With just one assist at the World Cup and 1 goal from 4 PL games, he has been a shadow of himself.
The starlet has played 106 matches and scored 46 times. Aside from the goals, he has contributed with 16 assists.
#1 Kylian Mbappe
Who else could deserve to be on top of this list? Without a doubt, the best young player in the world, Mbappe has become one of the best in the world and is a deadly striker. The teenager has been sensational for France and PSG and has been very consistent. He was one of the best players at the World Cup and even bagged the Best Young Player Award.
He has enjoyed a superb start to the new season with 4 goals and 2 assists from 3 games. The red card he received has been the only negative for Mbappe, in what has been a glorious year for him.
The former Monaco striker has played 108 games and scored a superb 52 goals. He has also assisted 34 times and those stats are outstanding. He is one of the most expensive players in the world and that is a testament to the talent he has.
That he has made a name for himself at a club which has Edison Cavani, Neymar and Angel Di Maria, shows his talent and ability to outshine world class players.
