CIES Unveils List of Top Young Players

The Football Observatory (CIES) has released its ranking of the best young players in the world based on their “experience score,” which is determined by the amount of professional playing time they have accumulated.

To identify the future stars of football, CIES has developed an index called the “experience score” to rank young players born in 2003 or later, considering their accumulated playing time. This score does not take into account statistics, but rather focuses solely on the total playing time, the overall level of matches played, and the percentage of minutes played as a starter. In summary, starting a match for a top European club holds more value than coming on as a substitute in a less prestigious league.

Who are the players with the highest scores? Unsurprisingly, Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid) leads the list among attacking midfielders, ahead of German talents Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen) and Jamal Musiala (FC Bayern), as well as Rayan Cherki (OL) who ranks 8th. Among defensive midfielders, Gavi (FC Barcelona) takes the lead, followed by two Ligue 1 players: Ismaël Doukouré (RC Strasbourg) and Warren Zaïre-Emery (PSG). French goalkeeper Guillaume Restes, who made his debut as a starter for TFC this summer, claims the top spot among goalkeepers.

Paris Saint-Germain fans can also be reassured to see Xavi Simons (currently on loan to RB Leipzig from PSG) leading the ranking among right wingers, and to know that Lucas Beraldo (São Paulo), expected to join Paris this winter, ranks second among central defenders, just behind Giorgio Scalvini (Atalanta) but ahead of Antonio Silva (Benfica) and Isaak Touré (Lorient). Despite their current difficulties, Manchester United has two players occupying top positions in the rankings for left wingers and strikers, with Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund respectively. RC Lens forward Elye Wahi is ranked fifth.

This ranking offers valuable insights into the emerging talents in world football. It highlights young players who have already gained significant playing time at a professional level, indicating their potential for future success. As clubs continue to invest in youth development and scouting, these rankings can serve as a valuable resource for identifying and nurturing the next generation of football stars.

However, it is important to note that this ranking is solely based on playing time and does not consider other factors such as technical skills, tactical understanding, or potential for growth. While playing time undoubtedly plays a crucial role in a player’s development, it is not the sole determinant of their future success.

As football fans, we eagerly anticipate the progress of these young talents and hope to witness them fulfill their potential on the world stage. The CIES ranking serves as a reminder of the exciting prospects that lie ahead for the sport and the potential for new stars to emerge in the coming years.