U21 Team of the Week: Liverpool target among Leverkusen quartet in best XI

Here we run through the best WhoScored rated 21 and under XI from the weekend's action in Europe's top five leagues. To cast the net wider, goalkeepers aged 23 and under are also considered for selection.

Goalkeeper: Dean Henderson (Sheffield United) - 7.93 rating

Dean Henderson chalked up his 10th clean sheet of the Premier League campaign with another hugely impressive display in Sheffield United's 1-0 win over Norwich on Saturday. Henderson made some spectacular stops to ensure all three points for the Blades and continue their unlikely push for the European places. The Manchester United loanee made four saves in total.

Right-back: Japhet Tanganga (Tottenham) - 7.81 rating

It was another disappointing weekend for Tottenham as Jose Mourinho's side could only manage a 1-1 draw away to Burnley on Saturday. Even with five defenders on the pitch, Tottenham had to soak up a lot of pressure and were out-shot 21 to 13 by the Clarets. Japhet Tanganga finished the match with the WhoScored Man of the Match award after winning six aerial duels; completing five clearances and making four tackles and interceptions combined.

Centre-back: Jean-Clair Todibo (Schalke) - 7.50 rating

Schalke's winless run continued at the weekend but there were at least positive performances from a couple of their youngsters. Jean-Clair Todibo, on loan from Barcelona, caught the eye on just his second Bundesliga start. The 20-year-old was in the right place at the right time with five tackles made and nine clearances completed. He also won six aerial duels and completed 91.5% of his attempted passes.

Centre-back: Edmond Tapsoba (Bayer Leverkusen) - 7.53 rating

Edmond Tapsoba has made a seamless transition into the Bayer Leverkusen first-team since his January move for Portugal. The 21-year-old is one of four Leverkusen youngsters in the XI following their standout 4-0 win over Frankfurt at the weekend. Tapsoba completed 93.5% of his attempted passes and four clearances to help Leverkusen keep a clean sheet.

Left-back: Faitout Maouassa (Rennes) - 8.50 rating

Faitout Maoussa has been in terrific form in recent weeks and made it goals in successive league outings, as Rennes destroyed Montpellier 5-0 on Sunday. A rating of 8.50 is Maoussa's best in a Ligue 1 match this season. As well as scoring, the 21-year-old completed two dribbles, drew two fouls and completed four clearances.

Central midfield: Weston McKennie (Schalke) - 8.16 rating

Weston McKennie scored his first league goal of the season in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Hoffenheim to help Schalke grab a point at home. In doing so, the 21-year-old turned in his best WhoScored rated performance of the Bundesliga campaign. McKennie also registered three key passes, as many as his previous 12 league outings combined.

Central midfield: Paulinho (Bayer Leverkusen) - 9.24 rating

As far as full league debuts go, they do not come much better than Paulinho's for Bayer Leverkusen. The 19-year-old has been forced to be patient since moving to Germany from Brazil in 2018 but dazzled at the weekend with two goals and an assist in Leverkusen's 4-0 triumph over Frankfurt. The Brazilian teenager unsurprisingly finished the weekend's action as the top WhoScored rated teenager in Europe's top five leagues.

Central midfield: Mason Mount (Chelsea) - 8.98 rating

After a relative lean period for Chelsea, Mason Mount returned to top form in a 4-0 demolition of Everton on Sunday. Mount scored his first league goal since December, ending a 13-game drougt in the process. The England international also completed 93 per cent of his attempted passes, completed five dribbles and made four tackles and interceptions combined.

Forward: Kai Havertz (Bayer Leverkusen) - 8.97 rating

In scoring against Frankfurt at the weekend, Kai Havertz has become the youngest player in Bundesliga history to reach 30 career goals in the competition. The Liverpool target also assisted against Frankfurt meaning he has now played a direct hand in nine goals in his last seven appearances.

Forward: Matheus Cunha (Hertha Berlin) - 8.77 rating

Matheus Cunha has been a revelation for Hertha Berlin since joining from Bundesliga rivals RB Leipzig in January. The Brazilian striker has scored in successive matches for Hertha and won the WhoScored Man of the Match award in each game. His goals, the latest coming against Werder Bremen at the weekend, have helped earn Hertha two draws.

Forward: Moussa Diaby (Bayer Leverkusen) - 8.20 rating

Moussa Diaby is the fourth and final Bayer Leverkusen player in our best rated XI. The 20-year-old didn't score in their 4-0 rout of Frankfurt but did register an assist. He has now scored or assisted in five of his last six appearances for Leverkusen in all competitions. Against Frankfurt, Diaby also completed six dribbles.