CIES have published their latest monthly report, and this time, the Football Observatory have been looking at the most influential U21 players in Europe.
Unsurprisingly, there’s plenty of Arsenal representation in this list.
In fact, Bukayo Saka tops the list ahead of the likes of Jude Bellingham, Pedri and Florian Wirtz, but perhaps more interestingly, one of Arsenal’s reported summer targets also ranks very highly.
Indeed, Armando Broja, according to CIES’ research, is the 13th most influential U21 player in Europe, which puts him one spot ahead of Arsenal hotshot Gabriel Martinelli.
So, how do CIES calculate this list? They take into account 11 different statistical profiles based on eight different indicators – air defence, ground defence, recovery, distribution, take on, chance creation, air attack and shooting, while they also take into account the player’s performance level compared to their teammates and their club’s level.
Broja does have the slight advantage of shining in a smaller side, but the fact that he’s ranked so highly in this list just goes to show how impressive he’s been this season.
Martinelli has undoubtedly been one of the Premier League’s best young talents this term, but Broja is seemingly even more influential, and he’s younger.
If Arsenal can sign this Albanian future star this summer, they will have one of the most frightening and effective young strike forces the Premier League has ever seen.
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