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Data study · under-23 · 2026

The best under-23 footballers in the world right now, by the data (2026)

We ranked every under-23 player across 18 leagues on their real per-season numbers, league-strength adjusted, to find the best young footballers by position. Live data, updated automatically — not a reputation list.

How to read this: players are U-23 as of this season, ranked on their real per-90 output, percentile-ranked within their detailed position and league-strength adjusted before comparing across leagues. Value is a market estimate. This ranks statistical output, not ceiling or temperament. Every name links to its full data profile.

Centre-backs

  1. 1Abdukodir KhusanovManchester City · Premier League · €47m6.94
  2. 2Dean HuijsenReal Madrid · La Liga · €66m7.28
  3. 3Ayden HeavenManchester United · Premier League · €32m6.91
  4. 4Cristhian MosqueraArsenal · Premier League · €38m6.89
  5. 5Bashir HumphreysBurnley · Premier League · €13m6.85
  6. 6Jaydee CanvotCrystal Palace · Premier League · €25m6.84
  7. 7Pau CubarsíFC Barcelona · La Liga · €75m7.18
  8. 8Marc PubillAtlético Madrid · La Liga · €33m7.13

Full-backs

  1. 1Patrick DorguManchester United · Premier League · €33m6.94
  2. 2Nico O'ReillyManchester City · Premier League · €76m6.87
  3. 3Bashir HumphreysBurnley · Premier League · €13m6.85
  4. 4Lewis HallNewcastle United · Premier League · €38m6.84
  5. 5Jaydee CanvotCrystal Palace · Premier League · €25m6.84
  6. 6El Hadji Malick DioufWest Ham United · Premier League · €29m6.72
  7. 7Giorgio ScalviniAtalanta · Serie A · €37m7.11
  8. 8Myles Lewis-SkellyArsenal · Premier League · €48m6.66

Defensive midfielders

  1. 1Alex ScottBournemouth · Premier League · €53m7.06
  2. 2Adam WhartonCrystal Palace · Premier League · €74m7.06
  3. 3Kobbie MainooManchester United · Premier League · €72m6.88
  4. 4Andrey SantosChelsea · Premier League · €39m6.84
  5. 5Freddie PottsWest Ham United · Premier League · €10m6.80
  6. 6Noah SadikiSunderland · Premier League · €37m6.78
  7. 7Yasin AyariBrighton & Hove Albion · Premier League · €32m6.78
  8. 8Yehor YarmoliukBrentford · Premier League · €30m6.75

Central midfielders

  1. 1Mateus FernandesWest Ham United · Premier League · €49m7.19
  2. 2Adam WhartonCrystal Palace · Premier League · €74m7.06
  3. 3Alex ScottBournemouth · Premier League · €53m7.06
  4. 4Lewis MileyNewcastle United · Premier League · €27m6.91
  5. 5Jude BellinghamReal Madrid · La Liga · €123m7.26
  6. 6Kobbie MainooManchester United · Premier League · €72m6.88
  7. 7Xavi SimonsTottenham Hotspur · Premier League · €43m6.88
  8. 8Nico O'ReillyManchester City · Premier League · €76m6.87

Strikers

  1. 1RayanBournemouth · Premier League · €58m7.03
  2. 2Mateus ManéWolverhampton · Premier League · €19m6.89
  3. 3Eli Junior KroupiBournemouth · Premier League · €72m6.81
  4. 4William OsulaNewcastle United · Premier League · €26m6.81
  5. 5Benjamin ŠeškoManchester United · Premier League · €78m6.75
  6. 6Mathys TelTottenham Hotspur · Premier League · €23m6.71
  7. 7Álvaro RodriguezElche · La Liga · €9.1m6.91
  8. 8Orri ÓskarssonReal Sociedad · La Liga · €21m6.89

Method

For each position we take under-23 players with a real minutes base, use their per-90 metrics, percentile-rank them within the detailed position and league-strength adjust before comparing across leagues. Ranking is by season rating. Coverage: 18 leagues across Europe and South America, recent seasons. Known limits: it leans on volume metrics, the league coefficients are coarse, and it can't see off-ball positioning, temperament or ceiling — treat it as a data-led shortlist, not a verdict.

Find the next one yourself — filter any position by age, league and budget.

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Free to cite with a link to doppel.football. Live data; statistical output ranking, not a valuation or transfer prediction.