U21 Full Backs - Under the radar

Part 6 of my series where I use data to analyze the best young players in the world!

- Age: 17-21
- playing outside the top5 leagues
- min 1500 mins

I shortlisted 7 players, they will be introduced after the graphs!

Ready? Let's jump into it!

The graph above focuses on defensive duels.

This one is exactly the opposite, offensive duels.

We can already see that most of the names changed in the top right corner.

My third graph analyzed how good the players are when they have to progress the ball to the final third.

- Progressive passes + progressive runs on the y axis
- Final third passes accuracy % on the x axis

The last graph tells us how efficient the players are in the final third.

I used Key passes per 90 mins / Expected Assists per 90 mins.

And now, let's take a look at our shortlist!

Fredrik Bjørkan - Bodø / Glimt (21) LB

Bjørkan came up through Bodø's youth system and became a regular starter in 2019. His stats are amazing, he was the only player who performed above average on every graph. This Norwagian generation is crazy!

Market Value: €800k

Robert Gumny - Lech Poznań (21) RB

The Polish right back was already targeted by clubs like Celtic, Southampton or Gladbach (he almost joined the German side but failed his medical in 2018) His biggest strenghts are his speed, crosses and interceptions.

Market Value: €4.25m

Nathan Ferguson - West Brom (19)

The U20 international can cover both flanks which makes him very versitile. Ferguson is actually right footed and this is his first professional season. He already became an important asset for WBA, playing on 21 games.

Market Value: €4.50m

Juan Familia-Castillo - Ajax II / Chelsea (19) LB

Castillo was an Ajax acedemy youngster when Chelsea singed him back in 2018. After one season in England he got loaned back to his motherclub. He plays in a softer league but the stats are impressive!

Market Value: €1.25m

Guga - Atlético Mineiro (21) RB

The Brazilian righ back performed very decent during the analysis, only his offensive duels were below average. Guga is a great crosser, and one of those guys with REALLY long throw-ins.

Market Value: €1.80m

Marco Sala - Virtus Entella / Sassuolo (20) LB

Sala is on loan in Serie B from Sassuolo. The U21 international can handle the whole left flank from full back to winger position. Pretty good 1 on 1, excellent speed and also has great eye for low crosses.

Market Value: €1.00m

Michał Karbownik - Legia Warszawa (19) LB

Karbownik is the youngest player on the list, just turned 19 three weeks ago. Despite being 19, he was the first choice LB for Legia this season. Him and Gumny could cover the wings for Poland in the future!

Market Value: €4.00m

data: @Wyscout
market values: @Transfermarkt

Hope this was interesting.

Part 7 will be about Defensive Midfielers, probably on Saturday.

RT's and feedbacks are appreciated!