Rising West Ham star features in U21 team of the week across Europe

Here we run through the best rated XI from Europe's top five leagues comprising of players aged 21 and under.

Goalkeeper: Paul Bernardoni (Nimes) – 8.85 rating

Nimes ended a nine-game winless run in the league in emphatic fashion over the weekend, winning 4-0 away to Dijon. It marked their first clean sheet on the road this season and goalkeeper Paul Bernardoni was key to it. The 21-year-old made seven saves and claimed two crosses, while also winning two aerial duels.

Left-back: Ben Chilwell (Leicester) – 7.83 rating

Leicester’s 1-0 victory away to Cardiff was incredibly tough given the circumstances. Ben Chilwell assisted Demarai Gray for the only goal of the game and finished the match as the WhoScored star man. The England international won six aerial duels, made four clearances and completed one tackle and one dribble.

Centre-back: Lukas Muhl (Nuernberg) – 7.85 rating

There hasn’t been a lot to cheer about for newly promoted Bundesliga side Nuernberg this season but a point away from home is certainly a step in the right direction. They scored more goals against Augsburg (2) than their previous four away games combined (1). Centre-back Lukas Muhl scored a dramatic late equaliser and also made six clearances.

Centre-back: Ibrahima Konate (RB Leipzig) – 7.56 rating

RB Leipzig has become a breeding ground for young players to flourish, as 19-year-old Ibrahima Konate showed in their 3-0 win away to Hertha Berlin. The teenage centre-back made four tackles and interceptions combined and completed as many clearances. Not only that, but Konate won five aerial duels. His Football INDEX share price has increased over 40p in the last month.

Right-back: Enock Kwateng (Nantes) – 8.26 rating

Nantes have won their last three matches and moved into the top half of the table in Ligue 1 as a result, with Enock Kwateng playing an important hand in their resurgence. The 21-year-old has completed the most interceptions in Europe’s top five leagues this season (37), making three more in a 5-0 win over Guingamp this weekend. Given his recent performances, coupled with the fact he is a free agent next summer, he should be considered for your Football INDEX portfolios.

Left wing: Mathieu Cafaro (Reims) – 7.87 rating

Reims have remarkably kept the most clean sheets in Europe’s top five leagues this season (8) and they even managed to convert one point into three this weekend, heaping more misery on Thierry Henry at Monaco. Winger Mathieu Cafaro scored the only goal of the game, his second of the campaign. The 21-year-old put in a shift, completing eight tackles and interceptions combined.

Centre midfield: Amine Harit (Schalke) – 8.54 rating

After a dreadful start to the season, Schalke are showing signs of a resurgence after making it successive wins in all competition with a 3-1 victory over Hannover on Saturday. Amine Harit registered an assist in the victory, while creating four further goalscoring chances. The 21-year-old also completed four dribbles, won two fouls and made four tackles. His Football INDEX share price has increased 9.33% over the last seven days and should be monitored in the coming weeks.

Centre midfield: Houssem Aouar (Lyon) – 8.45 rating

Houssem Aouar is another player Lyon will struggle to keep hold of in the upcoming transfer windows, reflected by his £2.75 share price on Football INDEX. The 20-year-old has won successive WhoScored Man of the Match awards and scored or assisted in his last three appearances. Aouar scored Lyon’s only goal in a 1-1 draw with Bordeaux at the weekend, while also completing eight tackles and interceptions combined. Furthermore, he was fouled four times and completed two dribbles.

Right wing: Grady Diangana (West Ham) – 7.86 rating

Grady Diangana registered an assist in West Ham’s 4-2 victory over Burnley at the weekend and should get regular playing time on the right flank now Andriy Yarmolenko is sidelined for the foreseeable future. No Premier League player completed more dribbles than Diangana (6) over the weekend’s action. He is now yet floating on Football INDEX but keep your eyes peeled and his value will rocket.

Striker: Richarlison (Everton) – 8.93 rating

Richarlison has now scored more goals in his first nine league appearances for Everton (6) than he managed in 38 appearances for Watford (5) last term, after netting twice in a 3-1 win over Brighton on Saturday. The Brazil international had four shots in total and also won four aerial duels, even more impressive when you consider Brighton’s defensive pairing of Lewis Dunk and Shane Duffy. Richarlison also completed three dribbles and drew two fouls.

Striker: Breel Embolo (Schalke) – 8.50 rating

Rounding off the U21 team of the week from Europe’s top five leagues is Schalke forward Breel Embolo, who netted his first goal since September against Hannover. Embolo had two shots, registered two key passes, completed three dribbles and drew three fouls during his 90-minute performance.