With the second international break of the season upon, we take a look at the best rated U21 team of the season so far. Manchester City are the Premier League's sole representative, while Real Madrid, RB Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen also have players make the cut.
Filip Jorgensen (Villarreal) - 6.96
Featuring between the sticks in the U21 team of the season so far, Filip Jorgensen has been solid for Villarreal in La Liga this season. Indeed, no goalkeeper has made more saves than the 21-year-old (38) in Spain's top tier this term, while he is one of two goalkeepers to have won multiple WhoScored player of the match awards to help return a rating of 6.96.
Michael Kayode (Fiorentina) - 7.24
Occupying the right-back spot is Fiorentina's teenage full-back Michael Kayode. The 19-year-old is enjoying a fine breakout season for the Viola with his work off the ball earning him plaudits. Kayode is averaging solid returns of 2.6 tackles and 1.4 interceptions per 90, and he gets forward well, too, as he averages 1.4 successful dribbles per 90 to contribute towards a WhoScored rating of 7.24.
Giorgio Scalvini (Atalanta) - 7.07
The second of three Serie A representatives, Giorgio Scalvini has carried on his impressive form from his breakout campaign into 2023/24, as evidenced by a WhoScored rating of 7.07. Scalvini's impressive reading of the game belies his tender years, with the teenager ranking second for interceptions (16) in Serie A this season.
Willian Pacho (Eintracht Frankfurt) - 6.98
Partnering Scalvini at the heart of the defence is Eintracht Frankfurt's Willian Pacho. Having joined from Royal Antwerp over the summer, Pacho has made a starting spot his own for the German outfit, and for good reason, with the 21-year-old ranking sixth for tackles and interceptions combined (33) in the Bundesliga to reinforce his inclusion in this XI with a WhoScored rating of 6.98.
Rounding off the defence is Brest left-back Bradley Locko, who has been superb both defensively and offensively in Ligue 1 this season. Locko ranks third for tackles (27) and third for successful dribbles (19) in France's top tier this term and has been key for a Brest side that is currently fourth. As such, the 21-year-old deserves his spot in the side with WhoScored rating of 7.27.
Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid) - 8.26
The best rated U21 in Europe's top five leagues this season, Jude Bellingham has been a revelation for Real Madrid following his high profile signing from Borussia Dortmund. The 20-year-old has scored eight and provided a further two assists for Carlo Ancelotti's side to help return a WhoScored rating of 8.26.
Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen) - 7.45
Joining Bellingham in the middle of the park is Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz. While Wirtz has just three assists to his name, it's not for want of trying with the German creator ranking fourth for key passes (21) in the Bundesliga this season. What's more, the 20-year-old also ranls fourth for successful dribbles (16) to have helped secure a WhoScored rating of 7.45.
Xavi Simons (RB Leipzig) - 7.39
Completing an admittedly attack-minded midfield, Xavi Simons has shone for RB Leipzig following his loan arrival from PSG. The Dutchman has been directly involved in seven league goals for RB Leipzig this season, assisting four, on his way to a WhoScored rating of 7.39.
Matias Soule (Frosinone) - 7.91
Pipping Bukayo Saka to the right wing spot, Matias Soule has been a revelation on the Frosinone right flank following his arrival from Juventus on loan. The Argentine ranks top for dribbles (22) and third for key passes (17) in Italy's top tier this term as he maximises his chance for regular game time as noted by a WhoScored rating of 7.91.
Maximilian Beier (Hoffenheim) - 7.13
While much of the focus in the Bundesliga this season has been on Serhou Guirassy, Harry Kane and Victor Boniface and their goalscoring exploits, Hoffenheim's Maximilian Beier has been quietly going about his business in Germany. The 20-year-old has scored five times for the Blues with the youngster transferring his 2.Bundesliga form to the German top-flight with ease.
Jeremy Doku (Manchester City) - 7.55
The sole Premier League representative in the U21 team of the season so far completes the XI. Jeremy Doku's WhoScored rating of 7.55 factors in both his performances for Rennes and Manchester City, with the young Belgian impressing for both sides. Doku's 24 successful dribbles ranks fourth in Europe's top five leagues this season to help nail down the left wing spot.
