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CIES reveals soccer’s 50 most promising prospects

By Liam Bekker

DAEJEON, SOUTH KOREA - MAY 26: Alban Lafont of France makes a save during a training session at the Daejeon World Cup Stadium training pitch during the FIFA U-20 World Cup on May 26, 2017 in Daejeon, South Korea. (Photo by Alex Livesey - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
DAEJEON, SOUTH KOREA - MAY 26: Alban Lafont of France makes a save during a training session at the Daejeon World Cup Stadium training pitch during the FIFA U-20 World Cup on May 26, 2017 in Daejeon, South Korea. (Photo by Alex Livesey - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images) /
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Soccer’s 50 most promising players have been revealed and some lesser-known names have made the cut.

The CIES Football Observatory recently released its seasonal list of the 50 most promising soccer players under the age of 20. The Swiss-based statistical analysis specialists used the following method to determine which players made the grade:

"[The] minutes played by each footballer were weighted according to the sporting level of leagues and the results achieved by employer clubs."

Topping the list is 18-year-old goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who has been in incredible form for AC Milan since making his senior debut in 2016. The Italian stopper beat the likes of European Golden Boy Kylian Mbappe (3) and USA sensation Christian Pulisic (4) to claim the top spot.

While a number of the familiar hot-prospects feature, the list also includes a handful of lesser known players.

Eray Cümart, Sion (on loan from Basel)

Swiss defender Eray Cümart comes in at number 50 on CIES’ list of most promising prospects. An academy graduate of Super League side Basel, the 20-year-old spent a portion of last season on loan at Lugano where he helped the club avoid relegation. He has since joined Sion, also on loan, where he continues to build on his reputation as one of his nation’s brightest prospects.

Ronaël Pierre-Gabriel, Saint-Etienne

A full-back by trade, Pierre-Gabriel is yet another product to roll of the French conveyor belt of talent. The 19-year-old, who has represented his nation at various youth levels, has been a regular for Saint-Etienne side this season and has done well to overcome a recent knee injury. Boasting pace in abundance, he’s an asset in both defense and attack and looks to have a big future in the game. He placed 26th on the CIES list.

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Samuel Kalu, Gent

One of the African continent’s brightest prospects, Samuel Kalu, is making his mark in Europe with Belgian side Gent. The Nigerian winger has scored five league goals this season and featured for the club in their Europa League campaign. His impressive form has seen him touted for a possible national team call up and earned him the 14th place spot on CIES’ list.

Panagiotis Retsos, Bayer Leverkusen

At the age of 18 years, five months and 31 days, towering defender Panagiotis Restos became the youngest ever player to captain a Greek side (Olympiakos) to the league title. A year on, he now finds himself playing for Bayer Leverkusen in Germany, where he has solidified his status as one of the world’s best young defenders. A full Greek international, he placed 12th on the CIES list.

Alban Lafont, Toulouse

A more familiar name than those above, Alban Lafont is a player destined for great things. The 19-year old goalkeeper became the youngest goalkeeper to play in Ligue 1 in 2016 and has already made close to 100 league appearances for Touluose. Such is his talent that he placed second on the CIES list, ahead of more esteemed compatriot Mbappe.

The full 50-man list can be read here.

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