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<p>Top 20 Players Unveiled</p>
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<p><img alt="The most valuable U21 players 10 years ago - how accurate were Transfermarkt's predictions?" src="https://tmssl.akamaized.net//images/foto/galerie/marquinhos-spotlight-1767098562-186263.png" title="The most valuable U21 players 10 years ago - how accurate were Transfermarkt's predictions?"></p>
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<p dir="ltr">Since 2004, <em>Transfermarkt</em> has gained recognition for its market values, which rank and forecast the worth of top football players globally. These values fuel debates among fans as they compare clubs and players, while also providing valuable insights into which players are rated higher by our dedicated team of data scouts and staff.</p>
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<p dir="ltr">This year's ranking of the most valuable U21 players features a mix of illustrious wonderkids and established stars. But how often do <em>Transfermarkt</em>'s market values align with actual talent? To answer this, we revisited the top 20 players aged 21 or younger from a decade ago and assessed the accuracy of our predictions.</p>
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<h2 dir="ltr">The Most Valuable U21 Players of 2016</h2>
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<p dir="ltr">From the table below, it’s evident that many highly-rated U21 talents in 2016 were already familiar names. Raheem Sterling topped the list, valued at €50 million and recognized as one of the Premier League’s elite players at just 21. In second place is another prominent figure, Marquinhos, a defender for Paris Saint-Germain with a market value of €30 million at the same age. The remaining top five includes Manchester United's Memphis Depay (€28 million), Anthony Martial (€25 million), and Everton's John Stones (€25 million).</p>
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<p dir="ltr"><img alt="2016 U21 MVPs" height="629" src="https://tmssl.akamaized.net//images/foto/newsansicht/2016-u21-mvps-1767098301-186261.png?lm=1767098319" title="2016 U21 MVPs" width="503"></p>
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<h2 dir="ltr">How Many U21 Stars Fulfilled Their Promise?</h2>
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<p dir="ltr">While assessing a player's career is inherently subjective, we can analyze the market values of these players over the past decade to determine if they reached new heights or peaked in 2016. By reviewing each player’s highest career market value, we can identify who lived up to their potential and who did not.</p>
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<p dir="ltr">Notably, most of the 20 players progressed to greater career heights. Sterling, unsurprisingly, was the most valuable, with his market value soaring to an impressive €160 million. Next is Bernardo Silva, who, after being valued at €15 million at Monaco in 2016, peaked at €100 million while playing for Manchester City. Marquinhos and Aymeric Laporte both reached €75 million, while José María Giménez achieved a high of €70 million after being valued at €18 million in 2021.</p>
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<p dir="ltr">Overall, 14 out of the top 20 U21 talents from 2016 achieved a market value of €40 million or more during their careers. However, a few players struggled to meet expectations, including Breel Embolo (€16 million in 2016, with a peak of just €22 million), Lazar Markovic (€15 million in 2016, peaking at €20 million), and midfielder Óliver Torres, whose market value barely surpassed his initial €14 million in 2016. Notably, Abdul Rahman Baba is a prime example of unfulfilled potential, with his market value of €15 million in 2016 being his highest ever, suggesting he never quite met expectations during his time at Chelsea.</p>
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