Cherki, Zaïre-Emery and Ben Seghir - the most valuable U21 players in Ligue 1

©Imago/Content stadium

Ligue 1 may not be one of Europe’s top leagues when it comes to challenging for major trophies in the Champions League, but the French top-flight is undoubtedly one of the continent’s best at developing young talents. Whether it be the outstanding youth academies at Paris Saint-Germain, Monaco or Lille, the world continues to watch in envy at the sheer quantity and quality of young players that emerge from Ligue 1 each and every season. And following on from the most recent market value update of the French top-flight, the new list of most valuable players aged 21 or younger is a perfect example of that.

The most valuable U21 players in Ligue 1

Warren Zaïre-Emery: Top of our list and unquestionably the star of the most recent Transfermarkt market value update of Ligue 1 is PSG central midfielder Warren Zaïre-Emery. The 17-year-old talent has emerged as one of Europe’s most promising players after nailing down a starting role in the club’s first team and bagging no less than three goals and five assists in 18 games across all competitions. As such, Zaïre-Emery has seen his market value increase by €10m to €60m.

Zaïre-Emery instagram EN

Nuno Mendes: Signed in the summer transfer window from Sporting for no less than €38m, Nuno Mendes was expected to make the left-back position his own in Paris. However, a nasty hamstring injury has ruled the Portugal international out of action for the season and as a result his market value has dropped slightly down to €60m.

Elye Wahi: Following an impressive two seasons at Montpellier which saw the young striker bag 29 league goals in 66 games, Lens decided to sign Elye Wahi in the summer window for €30m. Just four goals and two assists from his first 18 games for his new club suggests that the 20-year-old talent is still adapting to his new surroundings, but there’s little doubt that he’s still got plenty of potential. His market value stays at €40m.

Bradley Barcola: After coming through the youth ranks at Lyon and impressing last season with five goals and nine assists in 26 league games, PSG opted to sign Bradley Barcola in the summer for €45m. That fee now seems to have been a little over exuberant, with the 21-year-old talent struggling to break into his new club’s first team and laying claim to just one goal and two assists to date. As such, Barcola’s market value has dropped by €5m down to €30m in the new Ligue 1 market value update.

Leny Yoro: After breaking into Lille’s first team last season with a handful of appearances for the club, Leny Yoro has continued to go from strength to strength this time around by establishing himself as a starter for the Ligue 1 side. With two goals to his name and an impressive number of defensive performances to date, the central defender has seen his market value increase to €25m as he continues to establish himself as one of French football’s most promising defenders.

U21 top 10 Ligue 1

Rayan Cherki: After breaking into Lyon’s first team in 20/21 and improving on that with last season’s performances, which saw the attacking midfielder pick up 10 goals and assists in 34 league games, Rayan Cherki has somewhat plateaued this season. To date the young star has managed just one assist in 16 league games and as a result his market value has dipped slightly to just €25m.

Arnaud Kalimuendo: After impressing on loan at Lens and then Stade Rennais last season, the latter opted to sign Arnaud Kalimuendo in the summer transfer window for a fee of €20m. Now away from the frustration of no game time at PSG, the young striker looks far more settled at Rennais this season. Just three goals from 18 games suggests that he’s not exactly performing as well as he did last season, but there’s no doubt that Kalimuendo has time on his side. His market value has decreased by €2m to €20m.

Eliesse Ben Seghir: Monaco are famous for developing exciting young players and the next star on their conveyor belt seems to be forward Eliesse Ben Seghir. The 18-year-old talent broke on to the scene last season, with five goals and one assists in 19 league appearances. A hip injury in the summer and then a further shoulder injury this season has all but ruled Ben Seghir out of action for the time being, but few would doubt that he’s got plenty of potential to show at Monaco. His market value remains unchanged at €18m.

Habib Diarra: Last season Habib Diarra broke into Strasbourg’s first team as a fantastic impact sub, bagging three goals and three assists in just 1,627 minutes of league football. This season has seen the young winger command a starting role in the team, where he has so far managed two goals and assists in 14 games across all competitions. Although that isn’t exactly an outstanding return, there’s little doubt that the 19-year-old talent will get better and better in the coming years. His market value remains unchanged at €18m.

Ernest Nuamah: After impressing on loan at Nordsjaelland over the course of two seasons, which saw the young forward bag no less than 20 goals and five assists in 49 games, Lyon opted to recall Ernest Nuamah and promote him to the first team for this season. Like much of the team, Nuamah has struggled for form and purpose in Ligue 1 in recent months, but the second half of the season should prove fruitful for the winger if the club can get back to winning ways. His market value has decreases slightly by €2m down to €18m.