We pick our the 10 best defenders under 21 in the world.
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We all like to know about the next big thing – but how about ten of them!?! This is out list of the ten finest defenders in the world under the age of 21, with plenty of future world class performers amongst them:
10) Tin Jedvaj (AS Roma)
The Croatian teenager is currently on loan in the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen, catching the eye under enterprising coach Roger Schmidt.
9) Alessio Romagnoli (AS Roma)
Jedvaj is not the only young Roma defender impressing out on loan – Alessio Romagnoli has been a huge part of Sampdoria’s stunning start to the Serie A season.
8) Calum Chambers (Arsenal)
Signed from Southampton for £16m by Arsenal this summer, Chambers looks a genuinely assured presence either at right back or centre back.
7) Doria (Olympique Marseille)
Impressive Brazilian youth international Doria made 60 Brasileiro appearances for Botafogo before being snapped up by Marseille this summer.
6) Samuel Umtiti (Olympique Lyonnais)
Marseille are not the only club to have started the Ligue 1 season on fire – Lyon beat them last weekend, with impressive young defender Samuel Umtiti at the heart of it.
5) John Stones (Everton)
Now a key part of the Everton defence and an England international, we hope that Stones’ progress isn’t knocked back too much by his current injury problems.
4) Aymeric Laporte (Athletic Bilbao)
Young Frenchman Laporte has been linked with the likes of Arsenal and looks like being the next big player to move on from the Basque giants.
3) Luke Shaw (Manchester United)
Shaw has had a relatively slow start to life at Manchester United, but his assuredness in the Premier League as an 18 year old last season was commendable.
2) Kurt Zouma (Chelsea)
Picked out as the long term successor to John Terry at Chelsea, Zouma has already proven himself in Ligue 1 during his time at St. Etienne.
1) Marquinhos (Paris Saint Germain)
The Brazilian has it all and, with a little bit more experience and nous, he can become the best defender on the planet.