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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. 1Luka VuškovićBrighton & Hove Albion · Premier League · €64m7.28
  2. 2António SilvaBournemouth · Premier League · €27m7.21
  3. 3Ousmane DiomandeNottingham Forest · Premier League · €44m7.03
  4. 4Jérémy JacquetLiverpool FC · Premier League · €57m6.99
  5. 5Abdukodir KhusanovManchester City · Premier League · €47m6.94
  6. 6Dean HuijsenReal Madrid · La Liga · €66m7.28
  7. 7Ayden HeavenManchester United · Premier League · €32m6.91
  8. 8Cristhian MosqueraArsenal · Premier League · €38m6.89

Full-backs

  1. 1Patrick DorguManchester United · Premier League · €33m6.94
  2. 2Nico O'ReillyManchester City · Premier League · €76m6.87
  3. 3Lewis HallNewcastle United · Premier League · €38m6.84
  4. 4Jaydee CanvotCrystal Palace · Premier League · €25m6.84
  5. 5Luca NetzNottingham Forest · Premier League · €7.7m6.76
  6. 6El Hadji Malick DioufWest Ham United · Premier League · €29m6.72
  7. 7Myles Lewis-SkellyArsenal · Premier League · €48m6.66
  8. 8Álvaro CarrerasReal Madrid · La Liga · €53m7.01

Defensive midfielders

  1. 1Alex ScottBournemouth · Premier League · €53m7.06
  2. 2Adam WhartonCrystal Palace · Premier League · €74m7.06
  3. 3Shea CharlesFulham · Premier League · €15m7.06
  4. 4Sean SteurNewcastle United · Premier League · €6.8m6.96
  5. 5Harrison ArmstrongEverton · Premier League · €12m6.89
  6. 6Kobbie MainooManchester United · Premier League · €72m6.88
  7. 7Andrey SantosManchester United · Premier League · €39m6.84
  8. 8Lucas Gourna-DouathHull City · Premier League · €5.6m6.83

Central midfielders

  1. 1Mateus FernandesTottenham Hotspur · Premier League · €49m7.19
  2. 2Adam WhartonCrystal Palace · Premier League · €74m7.06
  3. 3Shea CharlesFulham · Premier League · €15m7.06
  4. 4Alex ScottBournemouth · Premier League · €53m7.06
  5. 5Sean SteurNewcastle United · Premier League · €6.8m6.96
  6. 6Javier HernándezEspanyol · La Liga · €1.6m7.31
  7. 7Lewis MileyNewcastle United · Premier League · €27m6.91
  8. 8Jude BellinghamReal Madrid · La Liga · €151m7.26

Strikers

  1. 1Robbie UreSevilla · La Liga · €4.8m7.74
  2. 2Pablo FelipeWest Ham United · Premier League · €19m7.33
  3. 3Julio EncisoIpswich Town · Premier League · €24m7.07
  4. 4RayanBournemouth · Premier League · €58m7.03
  5. 5Mateus ManéWolverhampton · Premier League · €19m6.89
  6. 6William OsulaNewcastle United · Premier League · €26m6.81
  7. 7Eli Junior KroupiBournemouth · Premier League · €72m6.81
  8. 8Mohamed Ali ChoHull City · Premier League · €15m6.78

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.