Best U23 Young Left-Backs in the Championship
14 players aged 23 or under · ranked by Analytical Strength Index
Best Young Left-Backs in the Championship (Jun 2026)
Ranked by Analytical Strength Index
Market Overview: Championship Young Left-Backs 2022-23
Our database tracked 14 Championship Young Left-Backs in the 2022-23 season, representing 13 clubs with a combined market value of €39.1M. The average market value for Championship Young Left-Backs was €2.8M, with the average age at 21 years old.
The most valuable young left-back in the Championship was Victor Kristiansen, worth €14.0M and played for Leicester City at 23 years old. The top 5 Young Left-Backs averaged €6.8M in market value, including Samuel Iling-Junior and Harry Amass.
Age distribution showed the youngest tracked young left-back was Harry Amass (19 years, Norwich City, €5.0M), while the oldest was Victor Kristiansen (23 years, Leicester City, €14.0M). Research shows Young Left-Backs typically peak at age 27.
Historical analysis showed 14 Young Left-Backs (100%) increased in market value over the following 12 months based on age-curve trajectories, then-current performance trends, and playing time analysis. The Championship market for Young Left-Backs remained actively developing with emerging talent in the 2022-23 season.
💡 Use the search bar below to find specific players, or apply filters to narrow results by club, age range, or market value. Click the chart icon next to any player to view their historical value trajectory and forecast.
Explore Market Size by Position in Championship
Interactive bubble chart showing predicted 2-year growth vs current age for all Championship Young Left-Backs. Identify undervalued assets and track market momentum across 13 clubs with €39.1M combined value.
Age Distribution: Championship Young Left-Backs
The Championship LB market shows 2 distinct age segments, with the largest cohort in the 21-23 bracket (11 players, 79% of market). The 21-23 age group holds the most value at €33.3M, averaging €3.0M per player.
Top Young Left-Backs by Age Bracket
U21 Years (3 players)
21-23 Years (11 players)
Market Value Distribution
Elite Tier Concentration
The top 2 Young Left-Backs (14% of players) control €24.0M
Market Tiers
Market structure shows distributed value with mid (€5-15m) tier representing 21% of the Championship LB pool.
Mid (€5-15M)
Emerging (<€5M)
Club Distribution: Championship Young Left-Backs
Among 13 Championship clubs, Leicester City leads with 1 Young Left-Backs worth €14.0M (averaging €14.0M per player). The top 10 clubs account for 79% of tracked Young Left-Backs.
Leicester City (1 Young Left-Backs)
West Bromwich Albion (1 Young Left-Backs)
Norwich City (2 Young Left-Backs)
Preston North End (1 Young Left-Backs)
Player Rankings
Ranked by Analytical Strength Index. Click any player to view full profile, or click the chart icon to see value history.
Victor Kristiansen
Leicester City • 23 years old
€12.1M
€14.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €15.0M
69.3
Samuel Iling-Junior
West Bromwich Albion • 22 years old
€8.6M
€10.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €10.6M
60.9
Harry Amass
Norwich City • 19 years old
€4.3M
€5.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €6.0M
50.4
Thierry Small
Preston North End • 21 years old
€2.6M
€3.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €3.3M
41.7
Juan Larios
Southampton FC • 22 years old
€1.7M
€2.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €2.1M
37.3
Ben Chrisene
Norwich City • 22 years old
€1.3M
€1.5M
+15.6%
Expected: €1.6M
33.7
Ziyad Larkeche
Queens Park Rangers • 23 years old
€692K
€800K
+15.6%
Expected: €857K
26.5
Zak Sturge
Millwall FC • 21 years old
€692K
€800K
+15.6%
Expected: €882K
25.2
Ishé Samuels-Smith
Swansea City • 20 years old
€605K
€700K
+15.6%
Expected: €803K
23.0
Ewan Wilson
Raith Rovers FC • 21 years old
€519K
€600K
+15.6%
Expected: €662K
21.7
Finley Munroe
Middlesbrough FC • 21 years old
€216K
€250K
+15.6%
Expected: €276K
10.8
Kieran Ngwenya
Dunfermline Athletic FC • 23 years old
€151K
€175K
+15.6%
Expected: €187K
7.5
Len O'Sullivan
Ross County FC • 22 years old
€151K
€175K
+15.6%
Expected: €185K
6.9
Henry Fieldson
Queen's Park FC • 20 years old
€108K
€125K
+15.6%
Expected: €143K
1.5
Scout Tools
Advanced analytics for scouting and recruitment decisions. Each tool provides unique insights into player value, potential, and market dynamics.
Pre-Peak Value Efficiency (PPVE)
Identifies pre-peak players offering exceptional value relative to their age bracket. Higher PPVE = better value.
Understanding Pre-Peak Value Efficiency (PPVE)
Leicester City's Victor Kristiansen at 23 years old has the highest Pre-Peak Value Efficiency at 17.50×. That means Victor Kristiansen is valued 17.50× higher than the median player in the 21-23 age bracket-representing exceptional value before reaching peak age.
In second is West Bromwich Albion's Samuel Iling-Junior, who is 22 years old, with a 12.50× PPVE. Third is Harry Amass of Norwich City, who is 19 years old with a 7.14× PPVE.
How PPVE is calculated: PPVE compares a player's current market value to the median value of all players in their age bracket. A PPVE of 17.50× means the player is worth 1650% more than typical players their age-making them high-value targets before they reach peak value.
PPVE by Age Bracket
| Rank | Player | Age | Bracket | Current Value | Bracket Median | PPVE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Victor Kristiansen Leicester City | 23 | 21-23 | €14.0M | €800K | 17.50× |
| #2 | Samuel Iling-Junior West Bromwich Albion | 22 | 21-23 | €10.0M | €800K | 12.50× |
| #3 | Harry Amass Norwich City | 19 | U21 | €5.0M | €700K | 7.14× |
| #4 | Thierry Small Preston North End | 21 | 21-23 | €3.0M | €800K | 3.75× |
| #5 | Juan Larios Southampton FC | 22 | 21-23 | €2.0M | €800K | 2.50× |
| #6 | Ben Chrisene Norwich City | 22 | 21-23 | €1.5M | €800K | 1.88× |
| #7 | Ziyad Larkeche Queens Park Rangers | 23 | 21-23 | €800K | €800K | 1.00× |
| #8 | Zak Sturge Millwall FC | 21 | 21-23 | €800K | €800K | 1.00× |
| #9 | Ishé Samuels-Smith Swansea City | 20 | U21 | €700K | €700K | 1.00× |
| #10 | Ewan Wilson Raith Rovers FC | 21 | 21-23 | €600K | €800K | 0.75× |
| #11 | Finley Munroe Middlesbrough FC | 21 | 21-23 | €250K | €800K | 0.31× |
| #12 | Kieran Ngwenya Dunfermline Athletic FC | 23 | 21-23 | €175K | €800K | 0.22× |
| #13 | Len O'Sullivan Ross County FC | 22 | 21-23 | €175K | €800K | 0.22× |
| #14 | Henry Fieldson Queen's Park FC | 20 | U21 | €125K | €700K | 0.18× |
Return-to-Peak Potential (RPP)
Recovery potential from current value to forecasted peak. Shows how much upside remains for players approaching their prime.
Understanding Return-to-Peak Potential (RPP)
Norwich City's Harry Amass at 19 years old has the highest Return-to-Peak Potential at +40%. That means Harry Amass is projected to appreciate 40% as they reach their peak age in 7 years-representing significant upside before entering their prime.
In second is Swansea City's Ishé Samuels-Smith, who is 20 years old, with a +35% RPP (6 years to peak). Third is Henry Fieldson of Queen's Park FC, who is 20 years old with a +35% RPP (6 years to peak).
How RPP is calculated: RPP compares a player's current market value to their forecasted peak value, calculating the percentage appreciation potential. A 40% RPP means the player is expected to gain 40% value as they enter their prime-making them excellent growth investments.
Recovery Potential by Player
| Rank | Player | Age | Years to Peak | Current | Peak Forecast | RPP % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Harry Amass Norwich City | 19 | 7 | €5.0M | €8.3M | +40% |
| #2 | Ishé Samuels-Smith Swansea City | 20 | 6 | €700K | €1.1M | +35% |
| #3 | Henry Fieldson Queen's Park FC | 20 | 6 | €125K | €193K | +35% |
| #4 | Finley Munroe Middlesbrough FC | 21 | 5 | €250K | €359K | +30% |
| #5 | Ewan Wilson Raith Rovers FC | 21 | 5 | €600K | €862K | +30% |
| #6 | Thierry Small Preston North End | 21 | 5 | €3.0M | €4.3M | +30% |
| #7 | Zak Sturge Millwall FC | 21 | 5 | €800K | €1.1M | +30% |
| #8 | Samuel Iling-Junior West Bromwich Albion | 22 | 4 | €10.0M | €13.4M | +25% |
| #9 | Len O'Sullivan Ross County FC | 22 | 4 | €175K | €234K | +25% |
| #10 | Juan Larios Southampton FC | 22 | 4 | €2.0M | €2.7M | +25% |
| #11 | Ben Chrisene Norwich City | 22 | 4 | €1.5M | €2.0M | +25% |
| #12 | Kieran Ngwenya Dunfermline Athletic FC | 23 | 3 | €175K | €218K | +20% |
| #13 | Victor Kristiansen Leicester City | 23 | 3 | €14.0M | €17.4M | +20% |
| #14 | Ziyad Larkeche Queens Park Rangers | 23 | 3 | €800K | €995K | +20% |
Risk-Adjusted Upside (RAU)
Upside potential weighted against forecast uncertainty. Higher RAU = better risk-reward profile.
Understanding Risk-Adjusted Upside (RAU)
Norwich City's Harry Amass has the highest Risk-Adjusted Upside at 58.0. That means Harry Amass has 19% upside potential with only 0% forecast uncertainty-representing excellent risk-reward for value appreciation.
In second is Queen's Park FC's Henry Fieldson with a 46.3 RAU (15% upside, 0% uncertainty). Third is Ishé Samuels-Smith of Swansea City with a 46.3 RAU (15% upside, 0% uncertainty).
How RAU is calculated: RAU divides upside potential by forecast uncertainty (RAU = Upside % ÷ Uncertainty %). A RAU of 58.0 means the upside is 58.0× greater than the uncertainty-making it a high-confidence growth opportunity. Target RAU ≥2.0 for balanced risk-reward.
Risk-Adjusted Upside by Player
| Rank | Player | Expected | Range | Upside % | RAU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Harry Amass Norwich City | €6.0M | €5.1M-6.8M | +19% | 58.0 |
| #2 | Henry Fieldson Queen's Park FC | €143K | €124K-163K | +15% | 46.3 |
| #3 | Ishé Samuels-Smith Swansea City | €803K | €692K-913K | +15% | 46.3 |
| #4 | Thierry Small Preston North End | €3.3M | €2.9M-3.8M | +10% | 33.7 |
| #5 | Ewan Wilson Raith Rovers FC | €662K | €570K-753K | +10% | 33.7 |
| #6 | Finley Munroe Middlesbrough FC | €276K | €238K-314K | +10% | 33.7 |
| #7 | Zak Sturge Millwall FC | €882K | €760K-1.0M | +10% | 33.7 |
| #8 | Victor Kristiansen Leicester City | €15.0M | €13.2M-16.8M | +7% | 27.5 |
| #9 | Kieran Ngwenya Dunfermline Athletic FC | €187K | €165K-210K | +7% | 27.5 |
| #10 | Ziyad Larkeche Queens Park Rangers | €857K | €754K-959K | +7% | 27.5 |
| #11 | Len O'Sullivan Ross County FC | €185K | €163K-207K | +6% | 23.0 |
| #12 | Juan Larios Southampton FC | €2.1M | €1.9M-2.4M | +6% | 23.0 |
| #13 | Ben Chrisene Norwich City | €1.6M | €1.4M-1.8M | +6% | 23.0 |
| #14 | Samuel Iling-Junior West Bromwich Albion | €10.6M | €9.3M-11.9M | +6% | 23.0 |
Roster Pressure Index (RPI)
Squad depth pressure based on Z-score distribution. Negative RPI = thin depth, positive = deep roster.
What This Shows
Z-Score explained: Measures how many standard deviations a player's strength is from the position average. Z-Score = 0 means average, +1.0 is one standard deviation above average, -1.0 is below average.
How to use: RPI < -1.0 indicates critical depth shortage. These positions need immediate reinforcement. RPI > +1.0 suggests strong depth, allowing selective, high-value additions only.
Current market: young left-back position shows strong depth (avg Z-score: 0.00). RPI: 0.00.
Position Depth Analysis
Highest Z-Scores
Lowest Z-Scores
Age-Share Concentration (ASC)
Identifies players capturing disproportionate value relative to age group representation. Positive ASC = value concentration.
Understanding Age-Share Concentration (ASC)
Leicester City's Victor Kristiansen in the 21-23 age bracket has the highest Age-Share Concentration at +6.5%. That means Victor Kristiansen captures 85.1% of total market value while representing only 78.6% of players in their age group-showing dominant elite status.
In second is West Bromwich Albion's Samuel Iling-Junior with a +6.5% ASC (85.1% value share vs 78.6% player share in 21-23 bracket). Third is Ziyad Larkeche of Queens Park Rangers with a +6.5% ASC (85.1% value vs 78.6% players in 21-23 bracket).
How ASC is calculated: ASC = (% of total value) - (% of total players) in age bracket. A +6.5% ASC means the player captures 6.5% more market value than their numerical representation-indicating marquee status. ASC > +15% = elite dominance, ASC < -15% = potential value targets.
Value Concentration by Player
| Rank | Player | Age Bracket | Value Share | Player Share | ASC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Victor Kristiansen Leicester City | 21-23 | 85.1% | 78.6% | +6.5% |
| #2 | Samuel Iling-Junior West Bromwich Albion | 21-23 | 85.1% | 78.6% | +6.5% |
| #3 | Ziyad Larkeche Queens Park Rangers | 21-23 | 85.1% | 78.6% | +6.5% |
| #4 | Juan Larios Southampton FC | 21-23 | 85.1% | 78.6% | +6.5% |
| #5 | Ben Chrisene Norwich City | 21-23 | 85.1% | 78.6% | +6.5% |
| #6 | Thierry Small Preston North End | 21-23 | 85.1% | 78.6% | +6.5% |
| #7 | Zak Sturge Millwall FC | 21-23 | 85.1% | 78.6% | +6.5% |
| #8 | Kieran Ngwenya Dunfermline Athletic FC | 21-23 | 85.1% | 78.6% | +6.5% |
| #9 | Finley Munroe Middlesbrough FC | 21-23 | 85.1% | 78.6% | +6.5% |
| #10 | Ewan Wilson Raith Rovers FC | 21-23 | 85.1% | 78.6% | +6.5% |
| #11 | Len O'Sullivan Ross County FC | 21-23 | 85.1% | 78.6% | +6.5% |
| #12 | Harry Amass Norwich City | U21 | 14.9% | 21.4% | -6.5% |
| #13 | Henry Fieldson Queen's Park FC | U21 | 14.9% | 21.4% | -6.5% |
| #14 | Ishé Samuels-Smith Swansea City | U21 | 14.9% | 21.4% | -6.5% |
Buy-Now vs Wait-List Map
Categorizes players by age position and upside potential to guide timing of acquisition.
What This Shows
How to use:"Buy Now - High Upside" = immediate priority targets."Watch List" = monitor for 6-12 months."Peak" = pay premium for proven performers."Aging" = short-term depth only.
Current market: 1 immediate targets, 13 standard acquisitions, 0 watch-list prospects, 0 at peak.
BUY NOW - High Upside
WATCH LIST - High Upside
No players in this category
BUY NOW - Medium Upside
PEAK Players
No players in this category
Price vs Peer Z-Score
IQR-based pricing analysis relative to position peers. Identifies over/undervalued players vs market.
What This Shows
How to use: Z-score < -1.5 = significantly undervalued (potential bargain). Z-score > +1.5 = premium pricing (requires strong justification). Within ±1.0 = fair market value.
Current market: Position median is €14.0M. 0 undervalued, 1 premium.
Value Positioning vs Peers
| Player | Market Value | Position Median | Z-Score | Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Samuel Iling-Junior West Bromwich Albion | €10.0M | €800K | -1.00 | Good Value |
Henry Fieldson Queen's Park FC | €125K | €800K | -1.00 | Good Value |
Kieran Ngwenya Dunfermline Athletic FC | €175K | €800K | -0.50 | Fair Value |
Len O'Sullivan Ross County FC | €175K | €800K | -0.50 | Fair Value |
Finley Munroe Middlesbrough FC | €250K | €800K | -0.44 | Fair Value |
Ewan Wilson Raith Rovers FC | €600K | €800K | -0.16 | Fair Value |
Harry Amass Norwich City | €5.0M | €800K | 0.00 | Fair Value |
Victor Kristiansen Leicester City | €14.0M | €800K | 0.00 | Fair Value |
Ziyad Larkeche Queens Park Rangers | €800K | €800K | 0.00 | Fair Value |
Zak Sturge Millwall FC | €800K | €800K | 0.00 | Fair Value |
Ishé Samuels-Smith Swansea City | €700K | €800K | 0.00 | Fair Value |
Ben Chrisene Norwich City | €1.5M | €800K | +0.56 | Above Market |
Juan Larios Southampton FC | €2.0M | €800K | +0.96 | Above Market |
Thierry Small Preston North End | €3.0M | €800K | +1.76 | Premium |
How We Rank Championship Young Left-Backs
Our Analytical Strength Index is calibrated specifically for young left-backs, using position-specific age curves and playing time benchmarks. The model draws from academic research on player valuation (Franck & Nüesch, 2012) and age-performance curves (Dendir, 2016).
Scoring Components for LB
Historical Achievement Index (35%)
Peak career market value for Championship young left-backs, reflecting proven track record and reputation. Uses log-scale to account for exponential value distribution at elite level.
Current Performance Proxy (30%)
Present market value for Championship young left-backs, capturing recent form, injuries, and current performance level. Weighted to reflect age-related depreciation patterns.
Playing Time Utilization (18%)
Defenders with 2,500+ minutes score highest, indicating regular starting role and sustained performance.
Age-Adjusted Performance Curve (12%)
Defenders peak at 27 with 5.0%/year decline rate. Pre-peak players score higher on development trajectory.
Competition Level Adjustment (3%)
Championship competition level factored into comparative strength assessment.
Performance Expectations Multiplier (2%)
Players at clubs with Champions League pedigree face higher performance standards and tactical complexity, contributing to development and market validation.
LB Performance Benchmarks
Peak Age: 27 years (balance of physicality and tactical intelligence)
Decline Rate: 5.0% per year (moderate decline as positioning offsets pace loss)
Optimal Minutes: 2,500 per season (regular starter with rotation management)
1-Year Market Value Forecast
Probabilistic model combining age-curve depreciation, value momentum, and playing time factors:
• Age Factor: Defender -5.0%/year post-peak, +5%/year pre-peak
• Value Trajectory: Near career peak (>95% of peak value): +3% momentum | Moderate decline: -5%
• Playing Time Factor: Regular starters (+2%), Squad rotation (-2%)
• Forecast Range: ±10% confidence interval
Research Foundation
• Dendir (2016): Age-performance curves for young left-backs
• Carmichael et al. (2011): Player depreciation in top leagues
• Franck & Nüesch (2012): Hedonic pricing models for talent valuation
• Szymanski, S. (2015). Money and Soccer: A Soccernomics Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Championship Young Left-Backs in the 2022-23 season
Who are the most valuable Young Left-Backs in the Championship in 2022-23?
The most valuable young left-back in the Championship in 2022-23 is Victor Kristiansen, who is worth €14.0M and plays for Leicester City. The second most valuable is Samuel Iling-Junior (€10.0M, West Bromwich Albion), followed by Harry Amass (€5.0M, Norwich City). Our database tracks 14 Championship Young Left-Backs with comprehensive market valuations updated for the 2022-23 season.
How are Championship Young Left-Backs ranked?
Championship Young Left-Backs are ranked by our proprietary Analytical Strength Index, which is specifically calibrated for Young Left-Backs. The score combines six factors: Historical Achievement Index (35%) measuring peak career value, Current Performance Proxy (30%) reflecting recent market signals, Playing Time Utilization (18%) tracking minutes played, Age-Adjusted Performance Curve (12%) using position-specific peak ages, League Quality Coefficient (3%) for Championship competition level, and Club Tier Multiplier (2%) accounting for club prestige. This methodology is grounded in academic research including work by Dendir (2016) on age-performance curves and Franck & Nüesch (2012) on hedonic pricing models.
What age do Young Left-Backs peak?
Defenders typically peak at age 27, with a decline rate of 5.0% per year after peak. Research shows defenders balance physical attributes with tactical intelligence, allowing them to maintain high performance through their late 20s. The optimal playing time for peak performance is around 2,500 minutes per season.
How much does it cost to sign a top young left-back from the Championship?
Transfer fees for Championship Young Left-Backs vary significantly based on market value, contract length, and club bargaining position. For the top-ranked young left-back Victor Kristiansen (market value: €14.0M), estimated transfer fees would range from €11.2M to €19.6M depending on contract situation. Players with longer contracts (3+ years) command premium fees (1.2-1.4× market value), while those in the final year may be available for 0.8-1.1× market value. Our fee estimates are derived from historical transfer patterns and contract-clock modifiers validated against actual Championship transactions.
What is the value forecast for Championship Young Left-Backs?
Our 1-year forecast model projects market value changes for Championship Young Left-Backs based on age-curve depreciation, historical trajectory, and playing time adjustments. The forecast combines three factors: age-based appreciation/depreciation (pre-peak players gain ~5% per year toward peak age, post-peak players decline at position-specific rates), market trajectory momentum (comparing current to peak value), and playing time confidence (regular starters receive +2% boost). Forecast confidence intervals account for position-specific volatility-defenders have ±10% volatility. Young players (under 22) and older players (over 32) receive 1.15× uncertainty multipliers due to unpredictable development or decline patterns.
Where does the Championship young left-back data come from?
Our Championship young left-back data is sourced from Football Analytics AI's proprietary Transfer Intelligence Database, which aggregates market valuations, player statistics, contract information, and transfer histories from multiple industry sources. Market values are updated regularly based on player performance, injuries, contract negotiations, and transfer market activity. We enhance this data with our proprietary analytics including position-specific scoring algorithms, age-performance curves calibrated to academic research, and statistical forecast models. All data is validated against official Championship sources and updated monthly for the 2022-23 season to ensure accuracy for recruitment and investment decisions.