Top Ten U21 Players To Keep An Eye On In 2026 | OneFootball

A top ten list of the best youngsters to keep an eye on in world football in 2026? On paper, it sounds relatively simple, but when you widen the scope of where you search for talent, it really is tricky to rank them.

From France, England, Italy and the rest of the world, here are the top ten best U21 players you must keep an eye on in 2026.

The Criteria

This should be simple and clear to understand:

• The player must be under 21, this means players that are 20 or younger

• No blatantly obvious names, for example Endrick will not be mentioned in this list because everybody knows him

• The ranking of each player is based on their ability, potential and to an extent personal preference

Now we have the criteria, it’s time we get into the list!

10. Ronan Kpakio

Player Profile

• Club: Cardiff City

• Age: 18

• Position: Right Back

• Preferred Foot: Right

Prior to this season, not many people would have heard of the name Ronan Kpakio. He’s a young teenage right back who has graduated from the Cardiff City academy.

He made his debut last season, but this season the 18 year old made sure everyone knew who he was by scoring this belter against Peterborough United on the opening day of League One:

As highlighted in that video, Kpakio’s main strengths as a right back is when he is able to get forward. When he picks up the ball, he is not shy to drive into advanced positions or link up with teammates to help progress into an area of the pitch where he can become a plus one in Cardiff City’s attacks.

Statistically, as per the 6th of January 2026, Kpakio is the youngest player in England’s top four divisions to record as many as six assists. He also ranks third for most accurate passes amongst League One defenders who have made a minimum of 500 passes or more (89.4%).

He has been consistently playing, whether as a starter or substitute, which shows the faith Brian Barry-Murphy has in Kpakio. His progress has been so good up to now, it has caught the eye of top English clubs such as Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal.

9. Dylan Lawlor

Player Profile

• Club: Cardiff City

• Age: 20

• Position: Centre Back

• Preferred Foot: Right

This young Welsh defender has been a consistent regular for League One leaders Cardiff City, performing to a consistent standard which has seen him earn the trust and faith of Head Coach Brian Barry-Murphy.

The key attributes that make Dylan Lawlor standout as a young prospect at centre back is that he’s very comfortable with the ball at his feet in order for his team to progressively build up the pitch. He is also comfortable with stepping out into space and directly progressing up the pitch himself. These are key technical attributes required in many modern day teams today.

Lawlor also is not afraid to get stuck in and do the dirty work. Against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup Quarter Final for example, he threw his body in to block shots and passes in dangerous areas and he also made key interceptions. On top of that, in the two aerial duels he contested in, he won both.

In terms of interest from other teams, it has been reported that some of the top clubs are monitoring and potentially keen on Cardiff City’s rising prodigy. These include the likes of Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Liverpool and Manchester City.

Lawlor is certainly one to keep an eye out for!

8. Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal

Player Profile

• Club: Stade Rennais

• Age: 19

• Position: Centre Back

• Preferred Foot: Right

The first half of the 2025/26 season, this young Moroccan defender has broken through in Ligue 1 at Stade Rennais. Initially for the first few games of the season, Aït Boudlal wasn’t necessarily a regular starter as Habib Beye regularly rotated him in and out of his Stade Rennais side. But ever since he put in a fantastic display off the bench against OGC Nice on 26th October, he hasn’t looked back since.

Since that OGC Nice game, where he scored the only Stade Rennais goal in a 2-1 defeat, Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal has gone on to complete six consecutive 90 minutes for his club, which highlights the trust and faith Head Coach Habib Beye has in him. With his consistency in performances improving, it saw him get a call up to the Morocco squad for the Africa Cup Of Nations.

What makes Aït Boudlal such a fascinating and exciting profile is how technically skilled he is for a defender. He has confidence to carry the ball forward across long distances, to link up with teammates and to also make an impact in the final third like he’s a traditional right back.

With the way Habib Beye sets up with his back three, the wide centre backs often have the freedom to overlap and get forward to try create overloads in wide areas to help create space. On one occasion, Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal showcased why Stade Rennais love playing through him on their right hand side.

This is just one example of his excellent ball carrying and link up with teammates, and as he matures and gets older he will only get better.

7. Karim Coulibaly

Player Profile

• Club: Werder Bremen

• Age: 18

• Position: Centre Back

• Preferred Foot: Left

One of European football’s rising defensive prospects, Karim Coulibaly has been a consistent pick in the Werder Bremen team this season.

Initially playing as a left sided centre back in a back four, Coulibaly has since gone on to excel as a left sided centre back in a back three in recent games. He has showcased great composure with the ball, confidence to pull out wide like a fullback and even join attacks as an overlapping centre back, as well as showing good positional awareness and discipline without the ball.

In terms of his best specific attribute, he seems to excel best when he can pick out forward passes which break the lines which then helps Werder Bremen progress up the pitch.

6. Nathan De Cat

Player Profile

• Club: Anderlecht

• Age: 17

• Position: Central midfielder

• Preferred Foot: Right

A rising star from Anderlecht’s academy, Nathan De Cat has grown from strength to strength since the Belgian Pro League season began way back at the end of July, with some even comparing him to the great Luka Modrić.

Having made a late breakthrough towards the back end of last season, De Cat has been able to nail down a starting spot in the Anderlecht XI and has already showcased how important a player he is at just 17.

Nathan De Cat only appeared once for Belgium in November’s U17 World Cup out in Qatar but just from that one match, he showcased how he has a good passing range, engine to cover plenty of ground, and he can carry the ball over a fair distance to help his team progress up the pitch.

For such a young player who has not even had one entire season of professional football, Nathan De Cat has delivered performances that fit the profile of the dream all-rounder. This has seen top clubs around European football keep track of his development, with Bayern Munich reported to be one of those sides. He turns 18 in July and will be a talent in top demand if he keeps delivering the way he is currently for Anderlecht.

5. Ayyoub Bouaddi

• Club: LOSC Lille

• Age: 18

• Position: Central Midfielder

• Preferred Foot: Right

Ayyoub Bouaddi is an interesting profile that has rose to the senior ranks, from the beginning of last season and into this season where he is seen as a key player for Lille. Whilst in his first year he was gradually eased into the side, there was no hiding the talent he had which made it feel inevitable he would quickly grow into an established first team player.

So far this season, Bruno Genesio has relied on the youngster in multiple roles and positions. Sometimes Bouaddi would play deep to help progress the build up from the back, he would sometimes play as a box to box engine where he would cover a significant amount of ground with such ease, he has occasionally been used further out wide as an inverted winger tucked inside to help protect space between the lines. Most recently he has also been used at right back!

A key attribute to Bouaddi’s game is the ease he has in adapting to different positions and roles, with versatility being a key element to many top sides in European football. His desire to work hard is also admirable and it is no surprise that top sides like Manchester United are keen on the young Frenchman.

4. Luka Vušković

Player Profile

• Club: Hamburger SV (On loan from Tottenham Hotspur)

• Age: 18

• Position: Centre Back

• Preferred Foot: Right

It’s really difficult to describe just how good Luka Vušković is, because as a defender with such little experience at a top level, he has just slotted into the Hamburger team so effortlessly and by some distance been their best player this season.

Showcasing his abilities with the ball, during this season he has made some fantastic progressive passes in the build up which has led to Hamburger getting up the pitch and also creating good chances to try score.

Without the ball, it’s more than fair to say Vušković has been equally as impressive. He has commanded his box whilst defending superbly well, winning numerous aerial battles and aerial duels. He has also shown great composure in recovery when the opposition tries playing in behind. He does this by smartly getting his body between man and ball and uses his 6’4 and general strength to shield and protect.

This is a defender Tottenham Hotspur fans are rightfully feeling excited about because Luka Vušković will be heading to the very top level.

3. Mamadou Diakhon

Player Profile

• Club: Club Brugge

• Age: 20

• Position: Left Winger

•Preferred Foot: Right

Eligible to represent France or Senegal, Mamadou Diakhon is an exciting dynamic winger who has quietly been making a name for himself at Belgian giants Club Brugge during this season.

Signed from Ligue 2 side Stade de Reims, Diakhon had initially struggled for game time under previous Head Coach Nicky Hayen. But even with limited minutes, there was clearly exciting potential in him and that is exactly his current Head Coach Ivan Leko saw.

Diakhon has shown this season, particularly in the UEFA Champions League, that he is an exciting young winger who carries no fear at all whenever he steps onto the pitch regardless of the opposition. Whilst Club Brugge have possession, Diakhon looks to position himself out wide as far as the touchline which is where he can receive the ball on the halfway line which then enables him to directly attack the full back at high speed and use his excellent technical skills to skip past and therefore create.

His only weakness at this moment is the lack of goal contribution numbers, which to some on face value may make him look like an average winger. But having seen him play where he brings that excitement and dynamism, he is such an exciting player to watch. The kind that gets you off your seat and the fearlessness attitude is a big attribute to have at a young age.

2. Yan Diomande

Player Profile

• Club: RB Leipzig

• Age: 19

• Position: Right winger

• Preferred Foot: Right

As the season has progressed, this u21 talent has seen his stock rise significantly. Under Ole Werner this season, Diomande has been a key part of the RB Leipzig side challenging for Champions League football. In 21 Bundesliga matches this season, he has got himself eight goals and four assists.

The key attributes Diomande has shown since his move to Leipzig last summer from Leganés is that he is capable of using both feet effectively, he can play on either flank left or right, he can drift into pockets to exploit half spaces, and he can also run in behind to stretch opposition defences. For a young and exciting winger profile, there isn’t many better than him in his age category.

This is evident with all the top sides in European football fighting it out to try get him in the upcoming summer transfer window. Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United are just a few names that have Diomande on their list.

Continue the hard work and continue expressing himself the way he is at the moment; Yan Diomande will be destined for greatness.

1. Bendegúz Kovács

Player Profile

• Club: AZ Alkmaar

• Age: 18

• Position: Striker

• Preferred Foot: Right

This young Hungarian striker is yet to make his first team debut at AZ Alkmaar, so you may wonder how on earth he is the number one on this list. But the reason why will showcase exactly why he sits at the top of all these amazing talents.

For a young striker, his goal record at youth level is quite simply remarkable. He helped AZ Alkmaar’s U19s defeat Borussia Dortmund 4-0 in the UEFA Youth League by scoring a hat-trick. His play within the match was top class and mature for someone of his age. He was able to hold the ball up well whilst a defender would put pressure on him, he was able to link play up, he was a presence in and around the box, he was willing to work hard and press the opposition to force errors and his finishing was lethal when chances came to him. In total this season, he has scored 7 goals in five UEFA Youth League matches.

Kovács also got himself a hattrick for Jong AZ Alkmaar, their youth team for U21 players, just a matter of days ago in the space of 20 minutes from minute 49 to minute 68 in the 2nd half against TOP Oss. In just six appearances in the Eestre Divisie, the 2nd tier in Dutch Football, Kovács already has four goals to his name.

It is only a matter of time before he is given his professional debut by AZ Alkmaar, – Kovács is knocking on the door very loudly as he is eager to make a name for himself.

Hopefully this list, full of talents you may not have seen or heard of before, has given some food for thought. You’ll definitely want to keep a close eye on some of the names mentioned as they all have the potential to hit the heights of destiny.