In search of the rare pearl. Each year, the clubs send their recruiters to the four corners of the globe in order to get their hands on the talents of tomorrow. And this 2021-22 season has been an opportunity to discover new ones in the five major European leagues, namely the Bundesliga, La Liga, Ligue 1, the Premier League and Serie A. on these leagues that the CIES Football Observatory focused this week for its 376th weekly letter.
Indeed, the CIES, which relied on a statistical method to estimate the price of professional players, established a ranking of the highest market values of young footballers aged 23 and having started in the big 5 this season. And it is in Germany that we find the number one in the ranking. It is, indeed, Joško Gvardiol. The 20-year-old central defender has played 39 matches in all competitions, including 34 as a starter, in the Leipzig jersey this year.
Leipzig, unearth of nuggets
Under contract until 2026, the Croatian is an important element of the German team. Its market value has been set at €96.2 million. Behind him, in second position, we find Dominik Szoboszlai (21 years old). After exploding in Salzburg, the Hungarian joined Leipzig. He has played 35 games, including 17 as a starter this year. The time to score 9 goals and deliver 7 assists. Under contract until 2026, its price is currently estimated at €60.3 million. In the past, Real Madrid tried to sign him.
Between him and Gvardiol, Leipzig can already rub their hands. On the third step of the podium is Pablo Gavi. At just over 17, this talent is the delight of Barça, who are trying to extend it when his contract ends in June 2023. The Culés are aware of having a rough diamond in their hands. Its value is estimated at €58.6 million. Not far behind, Nuno Mendes points the tip of his nose. On loan from Sporting CP, the 19-year-old Portuguese should stay at PSG permanently.
Talent League 1
The club of the capital intends, in fact, to exercise its purchase option of 40 M€. An amount lower than that of its market value established by the CIES, namely €53 million. The left-back is ahead of Marc Guehi (€50m), Piero Hincapié (€42.6m), Jesper Lindström (€37.8m) and Odilon Kossounou (€26.5m) and two Ligue 1 players, namely Kamaldeen Sulemana (20, Rennes) and Myron Boadu (21, Monaco), whose prices have been set at €33.8m and €29.8m respectively.
Outside of this top 10, we find other Ligue 1 talents. Thus, Castello Lukeba is in seventeenth position with a market value of €21.5m. The central defender sees his rating soar. Something to delight OL who want to move forward with him in the future. Vanderseon de Oliveira arrives in 21st position. The 20-year-old player, who plays for Monaco, is now worth €18.7 million according to CIES. Amadou Onana (LOSC, €16.5m) or Warmed Omari (Stade Rennais FC, €14.5m) follow. Like what our dear L1 also has talent!
The top 10 highest market values of the 50 U23 players who started in the big 5 during the 2021-22 season:
1: Joško Gvardiol (20 ans, Leipzig): € 96.2 M
2: Dominik Szoboszlai (21 years, Leipzig): € 60.3 million
3: Pablo Gavi (17, FC Barcelona): €58.6 million
4: Nuno Mendes (19 years old, PSG): € 53 million
5 : Marc Guehi (21 ans, Crystal Palace): 50 M€
6 : Piero Hincapié (20 years old, Bayer Leverkusen): €42.6M
7 : Jesper Lindstrom (22 years old, Eintracht Francfort): €37.8m
8: Odilon Kossounou (21, Bayer Leverkusen): €36.5m
9: Kamaldeen Sulemana (20 years old, Rennes): € 33.8 million
10: Myron Boadu (21, Monaco): €29.8 million
The full ranking can be found on the CIES website.
