There is perhaps a surprising name at the top of a CIES Football Observatory‘s latest study to uncover the best defenders in Europe under the age of 23, and it is good news for Manchester United fans.
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According to the Daily Mail, the top ten is compiled based on a number of important attributes, including distribution and recovery, and apparently, a member of Louis van Gaal’s side comes out on top on the list.
Here is the top ten in full:
10) Shkodran Mustafi (Valencia)
The World Cup winner, and former Everton man, has been in fantastic form for the Spanish side this year, helping them maintain a solid defence that has only conceded 27 times this season, five less than title-contenders Real Madrid, and keeping them in the hunt for a spot in next year’s Champions League.
9) Jores Okore (Aston Villa)
The 22-year-old has been an integral part of the recovery at Villa Park under Tim Sherwood. He spent much of the early part of the season out of the side, but returned in late November, and has since found his feet at the club.
8) Michael Keane (Burnley)
Whilst the Clarets’ season looks set to end in relegation, they have won a lot of fans for their gutsy performances throughout a campaign where they have spent the entirety of it as underdogs. Michael Keane joined the club on loan towards the end of last summer’s transfer window, and became a permanent signing in January, suggesting that he will become an important part of Sean Dyche’s plans in the future.
7) Niklas Sule (Hoffenheim)
The 19-year-old has made 15 appearances in the Bundesliga this campaign, and has helped Hoffenheim to sit in the top half of the table with just three games to go.
6) Tin Jedvaj (Bayer Levekusen)
Jedvaj made his loan move to Bayer Levekusen permanent in January, after a successful time in Germany. His side are guaranteed a place in the Bundesliga’s top four, and thus, a place in next season’s Champions League, and Jedvaj has collected two Croatia caps since the start of the current campaign.
4= Stefan de Vrij (Lazio)
The 23-year-old is already an established international, having played for the Netherlands on 27 occasions, and is forming a formidable defence at the heart of a Lazio side that has come the closest to challenging Serie A champions Juventus. The Daily Mirror reported that Manchester United had an £18m bid rejected for the Dutchman.
4= Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain)
The Brazilian has made 23 appearances this season for Laurent Blanc’s men, who are three points clear at the top of Ligue 1 with just three games to go. His appearance in the Coupe de la Ligue final this year was his 34th consecutive game without defeat for the side.
3) Raphael Varane (Real Madrid)
Carlo Ancelotti’s apparent preference to play Sergio Ramos and Pepe at centre-back has seen the talented Frenchman’s performances limited to 20 starts in La Liga this season, with another five games coming from the bench, largely due to the other two spending time out of the side injured. If the situation carries on, it would not be a surprise to see the 22-year-old decide to move on sooner rather than later.
2) Jose Gimenez (Atletico Madrid)
Diego Simeone has entrusted the 20-year-old to feature at the heart of his defence, which could have represented a daunting task for a youngster to come into a side that he was on the periphery when they won La Liga and reached a Champions League final last season, but the Argentinian has risen to the challenge expertly.
1) Phil Jones (Manchester United)
According to this study, Phil Jones is the best U23 defender across Europe. The 23-year-old has spent some of the season injured, so perhaps it is no coincidence that United’s upturn in form has coincided with a long-term run in the side.