February 13 – The latest CIES Football Observatory Weekly Post has highlighted the top U25 players who, based on performance metrics, are the most deserving of a senior national team debut.
Using a specialised index derived from Wyscout data, the rankings spotlight the ten highest-performing uncapped players from 50 different nations.
For major footballing nations, the report identifies some standout names who have yet to earn full international honours. Among them are Santiago Hezze (Olympiacos, Argentina), Jarne Steuckers (Genk, Belgium), Murillo (Nottingham Forest, Brazil), Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest, England), Hugo Ekitike (Eintracht Frankfurt, France), Nico González (Manchester City, Spain), Yann Aurel Bisseck (Inter Milan, Germany), and Marco Carnesecchi (Atalanta, Italy).
Two names jump out from Nottingham Forest, as a testament to their unexpected success in the English Premier League (EPL) this season. English midfielder Anderson and Brazilian defender Murillo have both played a core part in the club’s revolution – having now been pinned as top candidates for an international call-up.
Beyond just identifying talent, CIES has also projected the potential transfer values of these players under the assumption they receive an international call-up.
According to the statistical model, the five most valuable players in this category would be England’s Jamie Bynoe-Gittens (€74.2m), France’s Désiré Doué (€62.9m), Argentina’s Santiago Castro (€60.5m), England’s Archie Gray (€56.6m), and Spain’s Dean Huijsen (€51.2m).
Borussia Dortmund’s Bynoe-Gittens in particular has drawn interest from the EPL after his performances in Europe for the German side sparked comparisons to a young Jadon Sancho.
The data-driven approach by CIES offers insight into emerging stars who could soon make their senior international debuts. As national team managers look ahead to upcoming international fixtures and tournaments, these names may be ones to watch.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1739474260labto1739474260ofdlr1739474260owedi1739474260sni@g1739474260niwe.1739474260yrrah1739474260