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Bukayo Saka the BEST U21s star in Europe with Arsenal pal Gabriel Martinelli 14th but Jude Bellingham is shockingly low
ARSENAL star Bukayo Saka is the BEST U21s star in Europe right now.
But Borussia Dortmund ace Jude Bellingham is shockingly low on a list released by the CIES Football Observatory.
The group has been scouting 32 European leagues this term in order to find the continent’s top young ace.
They have used various criteria to establish a table of the top 100 U21 players, including prowess on the ball, work rate, tackling and shooting.
And it’s Arsenal favourite Saka who has taken top spot.
The 20-year-old has enjoyed a stunning rise over the last few years, becoming an important figure for both club and country.
Saka has 10 goals in all competitions for Arsenal this term.
And he is now being tipped for a starting role when England compete at the Qatar World Cup in December.
However, fellow Three Lions star Bellingham is only 24th on the list.
The 18-year-old has already played 84 times for German giants Borussia Dortmund.
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And he’s also in line for World Cup stardom following his man-of-the-match performance in England’s 3-0 win over Ivory Coast.
But despite his breakthrough, Bellingham is quite some way down in the CIES’ pecking order.
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace’s Michael Olise has charged into fifth following the Eagles’ surge up the table under Patrick Vieira.
Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli is in 14th after winning his place back in Mikel Arteta’s side.
And there are two inclusions for Southampton in Armando Broja and Valentino Livramento.
Elsewhere, Wolves’ Rayan Ait Nouri, Watford’s Joao Pedro, Leicester’s Luke Thomas and Norwich’s Billy Gilmour are inside the top 50.
Finally, Manchester United striker Mason Greenwood is second, despite not playing since January after being arrested and quizzed by police on suspicion of rape, GBH, sexual assault and making threats to kill.
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Last week, he was seen for the first time in public since being bailed pending further investigation on February 2.
Greenwood still receives his £75,000-a-week salary from Utd pending the outcome of any criminal proceedings.
