50 youngsters to watch in Europe’s top 5 leagues: 45-41
45. Valentin Rosier (Dijon / 21 / D(R/L)) - WhoScored.com rating 6.98*
Emerging as a first choice starter in the Dijon backline this season, Rosier’s ability to play at either right or left-back certainly plays into his favour. The youngster ranks fifth in Ligue 1 for interceptions per 90 minutes this season (2.9) of those to feature ten times this season, whilst also weighing in with 2.8 tackles per 90. He’s carried a threat going forwards too, with a 79.3% dribbles success rate ranking among the top ten players in the league to have completed at least 20 thus far.
44. Timo Werner (RB Leipzig / 21 / FW) - WhoScored.com rating 6.99*
Taking a tumble down the rankings this season having failed to match the standards he set last season, Werner remains among one of Europe’s brightest prospects up front and is in line to lead Germany’s charge at the World Cup in the summer. The 21-year-old has notched eight league goals in 15 appearances this season, which is by no means a poor return but his conversion rate has dropped from 28.4% last season to a modest 19% this time around and he’ll be hoping for an improvement when the Bundesliga returns from it’s winter break this weekend.
43. Jonathan Tah (Bayer Leverkusen / 21 / D(C)) - WhoScored.com rating 7.00*
A commanding presence at the back for a Leverkusen side that ended the hinrunde on a 12-game unbeaten streak, Jonathan Tah has put injury problems of the previous campaign behind him to start 15 of the 17 games available prior to the winter break. His pass accuracy has improved this season (84.8%), along with his decision making, and the ability to play out from the back will be required if he is to make the cut for Germany this summer.
42. Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton / 20 / FW) - WhoScored.com rating 7.00*
Were it not for Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s willing running from the front this season it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to suggest that Everton would still be mired in a relegation battle. His pace and threat on the counter has been a necessity for a Toffees side lacking alternatives in that regard, and while a return of three league goals is modest to say the least, he’s made himself a nuisance to opposition defences. Chipping in with four assists and winning an impressive 5.3 aerial duels per game this season - the fourth most in the league - the 20-year-old will be in Gareth Southgate’s thoughts.
41. Waldemar Anton (Hannover / 21 / D(C)/M(C)) - WhoScored.com rating 7.01*
A real star turn at the back alongside Salif Sane as Hannover were promoted last season, earning international recognition with Germany’s U21s and a WhoScored.com rating of 7.32, Anton has made a decent fist of the step up to the Bundesliga. The versatile 21-year-old has played in both his usual centre-back berth and in midfield this season, missing just one game, and averaged the second most tackles per game for his side (2.1), as well as winning 2.9 aerial duels per outing.
*WhoScored.com rating from starts alone (minimum of ten in Europe’s top 5 leagues this season to qualify)
