In search of the rare pearl. Every year, the clubs send their recruiters to the four corners of the world to get their hands on the talents of tomorrow. And this 2021-22 season was an opportunity to discover new ones in the five major European competitions, namely the Bundesliga, La Liga, Ligue 1, the Premier League and Serie A. in these competitions the CIES football observatory focused on his 376th weekly letter this week.
Indeed, the CIES, which relied on a statistical method to estimate the price of professional players, has compiled a ranking of the highest market values of young football players aged 23 who started in the big 5 this season. And it is in Germany that we find the number one in the ranking. It is indeed Joško Gvardiol. The 20-year-old central defender has played 39 games in all competitions this year, including 34 as a starter, in the Leipzig jersey.
Leipzig, excavations of gold nuggets
Under contract until 2026, the Croat is an important part of the German team. The market value has been set at € 96.2 million. Behind him, in second place, we find Dominik Szoboszlai (21 years old). After an explosion in Salzburg, the Hungarian joined Leipzig. He played 35 games, including 17 as a starter this year. The time to score 9 goals and provide 7 assists. Under contract until 2026, the price is currently estimated at €60.3 million. In the past, Real Madrid tried to sign him.
Leipzig can already rub their hands between him and Gvardiol. Pablo Gavi is on the third step of the podium. At just over 17 years old, this talent is the delight of Barca, who are looking to renew when his contract expires in June 2023. The Culés are aware that they have a diamond in the rough in their hands. The value is estimated at 58.6 million euros. Not far behind, Nuno points Mendes with the tip of his nose. The 19-year-old Portuguese should remain with PSG permanently on a rental basis from Sporting CP.
Talent League 1
Indeed, the capital’s club plans to exercise its €40 million purchase option. An amount lower than the market value determined by the CIES, namely € 53 million. The left-back represents Marc Guehi (€50 million), Piero Hincapié (€42.6 million), Jesper Lindström (€37.8 million) and Odilon Kossounou (€26.5 million) and two Ligue 1 players, namely Kamaldeen Sulemana (20, Rennes) and Myron Boadu (21, Monaco), whose prices are set at €33.8 million and €29.8 million respectively.
Outside this top 10 we find other talents from Ligue 1. For example, Castello Lukeba is in seventeenth place with a market value of € 21.5 million. The central defender sees his rating increase. Something to make OL happy who want to continue working with him in the future. Vanderseon de Oliveira arrives in 21st position. The 20-year-old player, who plays for Monaco, is now worth 18.7 million euros, according to CIES. Amadou Onana (LOSC, €16.5 million) or Warmed Omari (Stade Rennais FC, €14.5 million) follow. Like whatever our sweet L1 has talent too!
The top 10 highest market values of the 50 U23 players who started in the big 5 in the 2021-22 season:
1: Joško Gvardiol (20, Leipzig): €96.2 million
2: Dominik Szoboszlai (21, Leipzig): €60.3 million
3: Pablo Gavi (17, FC Barcelona): €58.6 million
4: Nuno Mendes (19, PSG): €53 million
5: Marc Guehi (21, Crystal Palace): €50m
6: Piero Hincapié (20, Bayer Leverkusen): €42.6 million
7: Jesper Lindström (22, Eintracht Frankfurt): €37.8 million
8: Odilon Kossounou (21, Bayer Leverkusen): € 36.5m
9: Kamaldeen Sulemana (20, Rennes): €33.8 million
10: Myron Boadu (21, Monaco): €29.8 million
