Mattia Viti and Nicolò Rovella are the only two Italian outfield players among the 100 best-performing youngsters in 2021-22, according to CIES.
The Football Observatory has unveiled the best U21 outfield players from 32 European leagues according to a new approach considering ‘players’ performance compared to teammates, the employer team’s sporting level, as well as that of opponents.’
Arsenal starlet Bukayo Saka has emerged as the best U21 player in Europe so far this season, followed by Manchester United’s Manchester United and Arminia Bielefeld’s Patrick Wimmer.
Viti and Rovella are the only Italian players featuring in the top 100. Viti has ranked 26th, while Rovella, who is on loan at Genoa from Juventus, sits 47th.
Viti, 20, has made his Serie A debut this term and has already been linked with many top clubs in Italy, including Inter and Milan.
He has played 18 games across all competitions this season and his contract runs out in 2025. Rovella, 20, has 21 appearances with Genoa and is expected to return to Juventus in the summer.
Salernitana defender Radu Dragusin (also on loan from Juventus) is the only other Serie A player among the top 100. The U21 Romania international sits 38th in the standings.