England trio Lewis, Colwill and Mainoo make Premier League U21 Best XI
There is now greater responsibility than ever on young players to make their mark on their respective first team. With that, we take a look at the Premier League U21 Team of the Season so far, with Brighton, Manchester City, Chelsea, Newcastle, Bournemouth, Manchester United, Leicester and Ipswich all represented.
To come in with a chance of making this XI, those born after July 31st 2002 come into consideration.
WhoScored+ is a Telegram service, and bets will be sent directly to your phone.
Click here to claim a free 7-day trial today!
Bart Verbruggen (Brighton) – 6.05
As the only goalkeeper to meet the parameters, Brighton’s Bart Verbruggen makes the U21 Team of the Season so far by default. The Dutchman has made 11 saves across five outings, but has in turn; has conceded nine goals to return a WhoScored rating of just 6.05.
Rico Lewis (Manchester City) – 6.87
Rico Lewis features at right-back in the XI having made a solid start to the season under Pep Guardiola. Injury to Rodri means Lewis should feature more prominently over the coming weeks and months, and his performances in a Manchester City shirt have certainly belied his tender years.
Illia Zabarnyi (Bournemouth) – 6.63
Bournemouth haven’t been watertight at the back this season, shipping 10 goals in the opening seven league matches, but Illia Zabarnyi has done all he can to keep that number down. Indeed, the Ukraine international ranks 11th for total clearances (33) to help land a WhoScored rating of 6.63.
Partnering Zabarnyi at the heart of the defence is Chelsea’s Levi Colwill, who has earned a modest WhoScored rating of 6.84. A 91.4% pass success rate ranks 25th in the division, while 26 clearances ranks 20th.
Rounding off the defence is Newcastle’s Lewis Hall, who has earned a WhoScored rating of 6.69 for the Magpies this season. While Hall has struggled to nail down a starting spot under Eddie Howe, the 20-year-old has been solid when called upon having averaged a commendable 1.3 key passes per 90.
Carlos Baleba (Brighton) – 7.05
The best rated U21 player this season, Carlos Baleba has returned a WhoScored rating of 7.05 for Brighton having quickly become a key man under Fabian Hurzeler. Not only has the Seagulls star scored one and assisted another this season, but he’s making an impressive 3.2 tackles per 90 in what has been a solid start to the campaign.
Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United) – 6.75
Joining Baleba in the middle of the park is Manchester United star Kobbie Mainoo. The England international has made the fifth most interceptions (14) and completed the seventh most dribbles (14) in England’s top tier this term to justify his selection.
Yankuba Minteh (Brighton) – 6.72
Yankuba Minteh scored his first league goal of the season as Brighton came from behind to beat Tottenham at the weekend in what was the winger’s second best rated performance in a Premier League match. The former Newcastle man is also averaging two dribbles and 1.8 key passes per 90 to help return a WhoScored rating of 6.72.
Facundo Buonanotte (Leicester) – 7.04
Facundo Buonanotte has proven an impressive pick up by Leicester having landed a WhoScored rating of 7.04 in the opening weeks of the season. The young Argentine has been directly involved in four of the Foxes’ nine league goals, scoring twice, and has worked hard off the ball, too, having made 2.9 tackles per 90 so far.
Savinho (Manchester City) – 6.97
Savinho has slotted in well for Manchester City under Pep Guardiola, as evidenced by a WhoScored rating of 6.97. The Brazil international has two assists to his name and is completing 2.8 dribbles per 90 to secure his spot in this XI.
Leading the charge in the U21 Team of the Season so far, Liam Delap has been an impressive performer on the Ipswich frontline having scored four times in his opening seven outings for the Tractor Boys. Delap is overperforming his xG by 1.84, and his ability to frequently hit the back of the net with opportunities he perhaps shouldn’t will boost Ipswich’s chances of beating the drop.
