Ranking the Top 10 U-21 players in Europe: Who will win the Golden Boy award?

Best U21 players
Who is the best U-21 player in Europe right now?

9) Youri Tielemans (AS Monaco)

Youri Tielemans
Youri Tielemans

Country: Belgium

Position: Midfielder

Age: 20

Another youngster who made heads turn - especially in the 2016/17 season - was Belgian midfielder Youri Tielemans. With an average height of 5'10", he was more than capable of commanding the middle of the pitch in an otherwise unspectacular Anderlecht side.

Nobody thought much about the unassuming youngster with bags of potential until he set a record in the Champions League on his debut. He became the youngest Belgian to make a debut in the competition aged just 16.

Now aged 20, he has already made over 200 senior appearances and could break the record for most senior appearances by the time he retires putting the likes of Ran Giggs and Francesco Totti behind him - provided he continues his rise.

A cool and composed midfield general, he soon upped his game to take matters into his own hands, advancing forward and either scoring or creating goals. Last season saw him score 17 goals and also bagging 10 assists.

It was only a matter of time before a big team in a bigger league came in for him and Monaco under Leonardo Jardim seems the best fit for the youngster to grow and make his mark in Ligue 1.

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