Ranking the top 10 U-23 players in world football currently

#8 Houssem Aouar | Lyon, 22

Everton FC v Olympique Lyon - UEFA Europa League

Houssem Aouar is Lyon's crown jewel and one of the most exciting players in his position. The 22-year-old joined the club's academy at the age of 11 and has risen through the ranks rapidly to become an influential figure at the Ligue 1 outfit.

Aouar turned heads with a series of eye-catching displays in the Champions League, as Lyon defeated the likes of Juventus and Manchester City before eventually losing out to Bayern Munich in the semi-finals.

Renowned for his ball control, dribbling ability and tactical intelligence, the Frenchman has drawn comparisons with Barcelona icon Andres Iniesta for his style of play. Aouar is amongst the most wanted players in world football and is reportedly a target for Arsenal, Manchester City and Juventus this summer.

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#7 Alphonso Davies | Bayern Munich, 19

FC Bayern Muenchen v Borussia Moenchengladbach - Bundesliga

Alphonso Davies' rise to fandom has been one of the success stories of the 2019-20 European football season. The Canadian winger moved to Bayern Munich in January 2019 from Vancouver Whitecaps in his country, as he looked to learn his trade and make an impression.

However, things soon took a dramatic turn, as he was slotted in as a left-back when Bayern Munich's injury woes deepened. The 19-year-old hasn't looked back since and has dazzled fans across the world with his speed and crossing ability, while he is also incredibly hard to defend against due to his devastating change of pace and ball control.

In reference to the road-runner, Davies is fondly referred to as "Meep Meep" by the Bayern Munich squad. The young Canadian is was one of the breakthrough stars of the 2019-20 season and looks set to have a bright future in the game.

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#6 Erling Haaland | Borussia Dortmund, 20

Borussia Dortmund v Paris Saint-Germain - UEFA Champions League Round of 16: First Leg

Erling Haaland's goalscoring exploits in the past 12 months have been nothing short of extraordinary, with the Norwegian striker quickly establishing himself as one of Europe's most feared marksmen.

Having burst onto the scene at Molde, Haaland sent shock-waves across Europe with his performances for Red Bull Salzburg, as he took the Austrian Bundesliga by storm with his performances. Known for his finishing prowess and ability to run in behind the defence, the 20-year-old also made an excellent impact in his first season in the Champions League, as he broke a series of long-standing records in the competition.

In January 2020, the towering striker rejected advances from as many as 12 clubs across the continent to sign for Borussia Dortmund. Since moving to Signal Iduna Park, Haaland has carried on from where he left off continued to bang in the goals.

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#5 Kai Havertz | Bayer Leverkusen, 21

Bayer 04 Leverkusen v FC Bayern Muenchen - DFB Cup Final

Dubbed as the next big thing in German football, Kai Havertz is a vital cog of an exciting Bayer Leverkusen side under Peter Bosz. The 21-year-old is set to seal a stunning switch to Chelsea in the coming days, with the Blues agreeing to break the bank to secure his signature.

Primarily an attacking midfielder, Havertz's versatility, vision and intelligence allows him to thrive in multiple roles. The German international has also played out wide and as a false 9 for Leverkusen, as he looks set to swap the Bundesliga for the Premier League in the coming days.

Havertz has drawn comparisons with Michael Ballack and Mesut Ozil with his style of play and has the unique ability to score goals as well as create them. The 20-year-old is one of the brightest prospects in world football and is set to add another dimension to Chelsea's gameplay.

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