Youth Discovery — Defenders
Ages 16–18 · 2025/26 + 2026/27
The next 15
Defenders
2025/26 + 2026/27 · CONCACAF U20 · PL2 · U17 EURO · U19 EURO · U20 World Cup · UYL 103 assessed · 31 capped youth internationals with honours · benchmarked against 469 youth defenders
1
LB
Leonardo Bovio
Inter U19 · CB · 18
Italy U18 (2 caps · 0 g) · ⭐ Player of the Match ×1
98
2
SM
Stephen Mfuni
Manchester City U21 · CB · 18
England U21 (2 caps · 0 g) · 🏆 Premier League 2 Winner · 🏆 FA Youth Cup Winner
94
3
TN
Talla Ndiaye
Liverpool U21 · CB · 18
Senegal U17 (4 caps · 0 g) · 🎯 Leading Assist Provider (shared) · ⭐ Player of the Match ×1
93
4
MS
Marli Salmon
Arsenal U21 · CB · 17
England U17 (4 caps · 0 g) · 🏆 Premier League Winner · 🏆 Community Shield Winner
92
5
KB
Kaden Braithwaite
Manchester City U21 · CB · 18
England U18 (10 caps · 0 g) · 🏆 FA Youth Cup Winner ×2 · 🏆 Premier League 2 Winner
91
6
LE
Landon Emenalo
Chelsea U21 · LB · 18
England U18 (7 caps · 0 g) · 🏆 U18 Premier League Winner · 🏆 Conference League Winner
91
7
OS
Olutayo Subuloye
Chelsea U21 · CB · 18
England U18 (1 cap · 0 g) · 🎯 Leading Assist Provider (shared)
82
8
LL
Léo Lemaître
Real Madrid U19 · CB · 17
France U17 (5 caps · 1 g) · 🏆 UEFA Youth League Winner · 🏆 División de Honor Juvenil Winner
82
9
FP
Filip Pavic
Bayern München U19 · CB · 16
Croatia U17 (3 caps · 0 g) · 🏆 DFB Pokal Winner · 🏆 Bundesliga Winner
80
10
MH
Malachi Hardy
Tottenham Hotspur U21 · CB · 18
England U18 (6 caps · 0 g) · 🏆 Europa League Winner
77
11
AW
Axl Wins
Club Brugge U19 · CB · 18
Belgium U18 (3 caps · 0 g) · 🎯 Leading Assist Provider (shared)
71
12
AN
Andrea Natali
AZ Alkmaar U19 · CB · 18
Italy U20 (4 caps · 1 g) · 🏆 Super Cup Winner ×2 · 🏆 UEFA U17 Championship Winner
71
13
EU
Elijah Upson
Arsenal U21 · CB · 18
England U18 (2 caps · 1 g) · 🎯 Leading Assist Provider (shared) · ⭐ Player of the Match ×1
64
14
LR
Leon Routh
Aston Villa U21 · CB · 18
England U18 (2 caps · 0 g) · 🏆 U18 Premier League Winner · 🏆 FA Youth Cup Winner
57
15
FS
Freddie Simmonds
Brighton & Hove Albion U21 · CB · 18
England U18 (7 caps · 0 g) · 🏆 Premier League 2 Winner
54
Craft rates how cleanly a player carries out the actions their role depends on —
completion and success rates, weighted to the position and adjusted so a handful of attempts can't inflate them.
Output rates what they actually produce every 90 minutes, rewarding sustained volume.
The Discovery Rating blends the two and gives extra credit to a genuinely exceptional strength. Everyone here
has already represented their country at youth level and has honours to their name.
Discovery File № 01 — Defenders
Ages 16–18 · 2025/26 + 2026/27
01
LB
CB
Center Back · Italy
Leonardo
Bovio
Competition
UEFA Youth League 2025/26
Nation
Italy
98 RATING
Discovery rating · craft + output
CRAFT
how cleanly they execute
87
Aerial Win Rate 85.0%
ELITE · TOP 2% 17 of 20
Long Ball Accuracy 57.1%
ELITE · TOP 9% 32 of 56
Ground Duel Win Rate 68.2%
STRONG · TOP 14% 15 of 22
OUTPUT
what they produce, per 90
72
Clearances 8.29/90
ELITE · TOP 1% 58 in season
Aerials Won 2.43/90
ELITE · TOP 9% 17 in season
Interceptions 1.57/90
STRONG · TOP 17% 11 in season
ROUTE THROUGH THE AGE GRADES
Italy · 15 youth caps · 0 goals
HONOURS & AWARDS 1 on file
⭐
Player of the Match ×1
1× UYL
Discovery File № 02 — Defenders
Ages 16–18 · 2025/26 + 2026/27
02
SM
CB
Center Back · England
Stephen
Mfuni
→ Now at Coventry City (on loan)
Youth side
Manchester City U21
Competition
Premier League 2 2025/26
Nation
England
94 RATING
Discovery rating · craft + output
CRAFT
how cleanly they execute
85
Ground Duel Win Rate 72.3%
ELITE · TOP 2% 60 of 83
Pass Accuracy 91.7%
ELITE · TOP 5% 848 of 925
Long Ball Accuracy 53.8%
STRONG · TOP 14% 49 of 91
OUTPUT
what they produce, per 90
63
Final-Third Passes 13.1/90
ELITE · TOP 1% 170 in season
Recoveries 4.62/90
STRONG · TOP 19% 60 in season
Interceptions 1.38/90
STRONG · TOP 25% 18 in season
ROUTE THROUGH THE AGE GRADESPLAYING UP
England · 35 youth caps · 0 goals
HONOURS & AWARDS +2 more on file
🏆
Premier League 2 Winner
Manchester City U21 · 2024/25
🏆
FA Youth Cup Winner
Manchester City U18 · 2023/24
🏆
Community Shield Winner
Manchester City · 2024/25
⭐
Player of the Match ×1
1× Championship
Discovery File № 03 — Defenders
Ages 16–18 · 2025/26 + 2026/27
03
TN
CB
Center Back · Senegal
Talla
Ndiaye
Competition
Premier League 2 2026/27
Nation
Senegal
93 RATING
Discovery rating · craft + output
CRAFT
how cleanly they execute
77
Aerial Win Rate 93.1%
ELITE · TOP 1% 27 of 29
Ground Duel Win Rate 67.9%
STRONG · TOP 12% 19 of 28
Long Ball Accuracy 46.3%
SOLID · TOP 32% 25 of 54
OUTPUT
what they produce, per 90
70
Aerials Won 5.26/90
ELITE · TOP 1% 27 in season
Clearances 7.99/90
ELITE · TOP 2% 41 in season
Final-Third Passes 8.18/90
STRONG · TOP 22% 42 in season
ROUTE THROUGH THE AGE GRADES
Senegal · 4 youth caps · 0 goals
HONOURS & AWARDS 2 on file
🎯
Leading Assist Provider (shared)
UYL 2026/27 · 180 assists · in progress
⭐
Player of the Match ×1
1× PL2 · 1× Premier League 2
Discovery File № 04 — Defenders
Ages 16–18 · 2025/26 + 2026/27
04
MS
CB
Center Back · England
Marli
Salmon
Competition
Premier League 2 2025/26
Nation
England
92 RATING
Discovery rating · craft + output
CRAFT
how cleanly they execute
76
Ground Duel Win Rate 73.3%
ELITE · TOP 1% 63 of 86
Aerial Win Rate 69.2%
STRONG · TOP 22% 27 of 39
Pass Accuracy 87.8%
STRONG · TOP 24% 817 of 931
OUTPUT
what they produce, per 90
69
Dribbled Past 0.06/90
ELITE · TOP 1% 1 in season
Interceptions 1.73/90
ELITE · TOP 6% 29 in season
Blocks 1.20/90
ELITE · TOP 7% 20 in season
ROUTE THROUGH THE AGE GRADES
England · 4 youth caps · 0 goals
HONOURS & AWARDS 2 on file
🏆
Premier League Winner
Arsenal · 2025/26
🏆
Community Shield Winner
Arsenal · 2026/27
Discovery File № 05 — Defenders
Ages 16–18 · 2025/26 + 2026/27
05
KB
CB
Center Back · England
Kaden
Braithwaite
Youth side
Manchester City U21
Competition
Premier League 2 2025/26
Nation
England
91 RATING
Discovery rating · craft + output
CRAFT
how cleanly they execute
84
Long Ball Accuracy 76.1%
ELITE · TOP 1% 67 of 88
Pass Accuracy 93.4%
ELITE · TOP 2% 1084 of 1161
Aerial Win Rate 73.9%
STRONG · TOP 15% 17 of 23
OUTPUT
what they produce, per 90
61
Final-Third Passes 13.8/90
ELITE · TOP 1% 189 in season
Recoveries 4.76/90
STRONG · TOP 15% 65 in season
Dribbled Past 0.29/90
SOLID · TOP 26% 4 in season
ROUTE THROUGH THE AGE GRADES
England · 32 youth caps · 1 goal
HONOURS & AWARDS +3 more on file
🏆
FA Youth Cup Winner ×2
Manchester City U18 · 2025/26, 2023/24
🏆
Premier League 2 Winner
Manchester City U21 · 2024/25
🏆
FA Cup Winner
Manchester City · 2025/26
🏆
EFL Cup Winner
Manchester City · 2025/26
Discovery File № 06 — Defenders
Ages 16–18 · 2025/26 + 2026/27
06
LE
LB
Left Back · England
Landon
Emenalo
→ Now at Celtic (on loan)
Competition
Premier League 2 2025/26
Nation
England
91 RATING
Discovery rating · craft + output
CRAFT
how cleanly they execute
79
Ground Duel Win Rate 69.0%
ELITE · TOP 5% 80 of 116
Pass Accuracy 88.9%
STRONG · TOP 15% 1117 of 1257
Aerial Win Rate 66.7%
SOLID · TOP 29% 26 of 39
OUTPUT
what they produce, per 90
65
Interceptions 1.75/90
ELITE · TOP 5% 39 in season
Recoveries 5.17/90
ELITE · TOP 7% 115 in season
Dribbled Past 0.36/90
SOLID · TOP 31% 8 in season
ROUTE THROUGH THE AGE GRADES
England · 14 youth caps · 0 goals
HONOURS & AWARDS +1 more on file
🏆
U18 Premier League Winner
Chelsea U18 · 2025/26
🏆
Conference League Winner
Chelsea · 2024/25
🏆
FIFA Club World Cup Winner
Chelsea · 2025 USA
⭐
Player of the Match ×2
1× UYL · 1× PL2
Discovery File № 07 — Defenders
Ages 16–18 · 2025/26 + 2026/27
07
OS
CB
Center Back · England
Olutayo
Subuloye
Competition
UEFA Youth League 2025/26
Nation
England
82 RATING
Discovery rating · craft + output
CRAFT
how cleanly they execute
70
Pass Accuracy 91.5%
ELITE · TOP 6% 1063 of 1162
Long Ball Accuracy 51.6%
STRONG · TOP 18% 49 of 95
Ball Security 99.8%
STRONG · TOP 23% 1365 of 1368
OUTPUT
what they produce, per 90
62
Aerials Won 1.72/90
STRONG · TOP 21% 28 in season
Interceptions 1.42/90
STRONG · TOP 22% 23 in season
Blocks 0.74/90
SOLID · TOP 27% 12 in season
ROUTE THROUGH THE AGE GRADES
England · 1 youth cap · 0 goals
HONOURS & AWARDS 1 on file
🎯
Leading Assist Provider (shared)
PL2 2026/27 · 450 assists · in progress
Discovery File № 08 — Defenders
Ages 16–18 · 2025/26 + 2026/27
08
LL
CB
Center Back · France
Léo
Lemaître
Youth side
Real Madrid U19
Competition
UEFA Youth League 2025/26
Nation
France
82 RATING
Discovery rating · craft + output
CRAFT
how cleanly they execute
64
Aerial Win Rate 80.0%
STRONG · TOP 12% 8 of 10
Pass Accuracy 88.8%
STRONG · TOP 20% 191 of 215
Ball Security 99.6%
SOLID · TOP 38% 251 of 252
OUTPUT
what they produce, per 90
65
Recoveries 5.71/90
ELITE · TOP 10% 20 in season
Aerials Won 2.29/90
STRONG · TOP 15% 8 in season
Interceptions 1.71/90
STRONG · TOP 18% 6 in season
ROUTE THROUGH THE AGE GRADES
France · 5 youth caps · 1 goal
HONOURS & AWARDS 3 on file
🏆
UEFA Youth League Winner
Real Madrid U19 · 2025/26
🏆
División de Honor Juvenil Winner
Real Madrid U19 · 2025/26
🏆
FIFA U20 Intercontinental Cup Winner
Real Madrid U19 · 2026
Discovery File № 09 — Defenders
Ages 16–18 · 2025/26 + 2026/27
09
FP
CB
Center Back · Croatia
Filip
Pavic
Youth side
Bayern München U19
Competition
UEFA Youth League 2026/27
Nation
Croatia
80 RATING
Discovery rating · craft + output
CRAFT
how cleanly they execute
80
Pass Accuracy 92.2%
ELITE · TOP 7% 166 of 180
Long Ball Accuracy 60.0%
ELITE · TOP 10% 12 of 20
Ball Security 100%
STRONG · TOP 14% 215 of 215
OUTPUT
what they produce, per 90
49
Recoveries 4.41/90
SOLID · TOP 31% 14 in season
Final-Third Passes 7.24/90
SOLID · TOP 33% 23 in season
Tackles 1.89/90
SOLID · TOP 43% 6 in season
ROUTE THROUGH THE AGE GRADES
Croatia · 4 youth caps · 0 goals
HONOURS & AWARDS 3 on file
🏆
DFB Pokal Winner
Bayern München · 2025/26
🏆
Bundesliga Winner
Bayern München · 2025/26
🎯
Leading Assist Provider (shared)
UYL 2026/27 · 180 assists · in progress
Discovery File № 10 — Defenders
Ages 16–18 · 2025/26 + 2026/27
10
MH
CB
Center Back · England
Malachi
Hardy
Youth side
Tottenham Hotspur U21
Competition
Premier League 2 2025/26
Nation
England
77 RATING
Discovery rating · craft + output
CRAFT
how cleanly they execute
77
Long Ball Accuracy 59.8%
ELITE · TOP 6% 52 of 87
Pass Accuracy 90.1%
ELITE · TOP 10% 1085 of 1204
Ground Duel Win Rate 63.2%
STRONG · TOP 22% 36 of 57
OUTPUT
what they produce, per 90
50
Blocks 0.89/90
STRONG · TOP 17% 15 in season
Dribbled Past 0.36/90
SOLID · TOP 31% 6 in season
Aerials Won 1.25/90
SOLID · TOP 43% 21 in season
ROUTE THROUGH THE AGE GRADES
England · 25 youth caps · 1 goal
HONOURS & AWARDS 1 on file
🏆
Europa League Winner
Tottenham Hotspur · 2024/25
Discovery File № 11 — Defenders
Ages 16–18 · 2025/26 + 2026/27
11
AW
CB
Center Back · Belgium
Axl
Wins
Youth side
Club Brugge U19
Competition
UEFA Youth League 2025/26
Nation
Belgium
71 RATING
Discovery rating · craft + output
CRAFT
how cleanly they execute
58
Pass Accuracy 88.7%
STRONG · TOP 22% 149 of 168
Long Ball Accuracy 50.0%
STRONG · TOP 24% 10 of 20
Ball Security 99.1%
RAW · TOP 73% 212 of 214
OUTPUT
what they produce, per 90
60
Blocks 2.00/90
ELITE · TOP 1% 7 in season
Dribbled Past 0.00/90
STRONG · TOP 14% 0 in season
Recoveries 5.14/90
STRONG · TOP 17% 18 in season
ROUTE THROUGH THE AGE GRADES
Belgium · 9 youth caps · 1 goal
HONOURS & AWARDS 1 on file
🎯
Leading Assist Provider (shared)
UYL 2026/27 · 180 assists · in progress
Discovery File № 12 — Defenders
Ages 16–18 · 2025/26 + 2026/27
12
AN
CB
Center Back · Italy
Andrea
Natali
Competition
UEFA Youth League 2025/26
Nation
Italy
71 RATING
Discovery rating · craft + output
CRAFT
how cleanly they execute
60
Aerial Win Rate 76.5%
STRONG · TOP 13% 13 of 17
Pass Accuracy 86.3%
SOLID · TOP 33% 543 of 629
Long Ball Accuracy 44.2%
SOLID · TOP 40% 38 of 86
OUTPUT
what they produce, per 90
59
Recoveries 4.84/90
STRONG · TOP 13% 59 in season
Blocks 0.90/90
STRONG · TOP 18% 11 in season
Clearances 4.59/90
STRONG · TOP 22% 56 in season
ROUTE THROUGH THE AGE GRADESPLAYING UP
Italy · 28 youth caps · 1 goal
HONOURS & AWARDS 4 on file
🏆
Super Cup Winner ×2
AZ Alkmaar · 2026/27, 2024/25
🏆
UEFA U17 Championship Winner
Italy U17 · 2024 Cyprus
🏆
KNVB Cup Winner
AZ Alkmaar · 2025/26
⭐
Player of the Match ×1
1× U19 EURO · 1× UEFA U19 Championship
Discovery File № 13 — Defenders
Ages 16–18 · 2025/26 + 2026/27
13
EU
CB
Center Back · England
Elijah
Upson
Competition
Premier League 2 2026/27
Nation
England
64 RATING
Discovery rating · craft + output
CRAFT
how cleanly they execute
44
Long Ball Accuracy 55.0%
STRONG · TOP 12% 33 of 60
Pass Accuracy 85.7%
SOLID · TOP 36% 378 of 441
Ball Security 99.6%
SOLID · TOP 36% 509 of 511
OUTPUT
what they produce, per 90
66
Final-Third Passes 10.4/90
ELITE · TOP 7% 58 in season
Aerials Won 2.33/90
STRONG · TOP 12% 13 in season
Blocks 1.07/90
STRONG · TOP 15% 6 in season
ROUTE THROUGH THE AGE GRADES
England · 2 youth caps · 1 goal
HONOURS & AWARDS 2 on file
🎯
Leading Assist Provider (shared)
UYL 2026/27 · 180 assists · in progress
⭐
Player of the Match ×1
1× PL2 · 1× Premier League 2
Discovery File № 14 — Defenders
Ages 16–18 · 2025/26 + 2026/27
14
LR
CB
Center Back · England
Leon
Routh
Youth side
Aston Villa U21
Competition
Premier League 2 2025/26
Nation
England
57 RATING
Discovery rating · craft + output
CRAFT
how cleanly they execute
65
Ground Duel Win Rate 63.4%
STRONG · TOP 21% 52 of 82
Ball Security 99.8%
STRONG · TOP 24% 1277 of 1280
Pass Accuracy 86.2%
SOLID · TOP 34% 895 of 1038
OUTPUT
what they produce, per 90
44
Clearances 4.14/90
SOLID · TOP 32% 78 in season
Blocks 0.64/90
SOLID · TOP 34% 12 in season
Dribbled Past 0.37/90
SOLID · TOP 34% 7 in season
ROUTE THROUGH THE AGE GRADES
England · 2 youth caps · 0 goals
HONOURS & AWARDS +1 more on file
🏆
U18 Premier League Winner
Aston Villa FC Under 18 Academy · 2024/25
🏆
FA Youth Cup Winner
Aston Villa FC Under 18 Academy · 2024/25
🏆
Europa League Winner
Aston Villa · 2025/26
🎯
Leading Assist Provider (shared)
UYL 2026/27 · 180 assists · in progress
Discovery File № 15 — Defenders
Ages 16–18 · 2025/26 + 2026/27
15
FS
CB
Center Back · England
Freddie
Simmonds
→ Now at AFC Wimbledon (on loan)
Youth side
Brighton & Hove Albion U21
Competition
Premier League 2 2025/26
Nation
England
54 RATING
Discovery rating · craft + output
CRAFT
how cleanly they execute
61
Pass Accuracy 89.4%
STRONG · TOP 14% 818 of 915
Ball Security 99.8%
STRONG · TOP 21% 1068 of 1070
Aerial Win Rate 65.8%
SOLID · TOP 31% 25 of 38
OUTPUT
what they produce, per 90
47
Aerials Won 2.15/90
STRONG · TOP 12% 25 in season
Clearances 4.04/90
SOLID · TOP 36% 47 in season
Final-Third Passes 6.27/90
SOLID · TOP 44% 73 in season
ROUTE THROUGH THE AGE GRADES
England · 33 youth caps · 4 goals
HONOURS & AWARDS 1 on file
🏆
Premier League 2 Winner
Brighton & Hove Albion U21 · 2025/26