Best U23 Young Right-Backs in the Championship
9 players aged 23 or under · ranked by Analytical Strength Index
Best Young Right-Backs in the Championship (Jun 2026)
Ranked by Analytical Strength Index
Market Overview: Championship Young Right-Backs 2024-25
Our database tracked 9 Championship Young Right-Backs in the 2024-25 season, representing 9 clubs with a combined market value of €20.1M. The average market value for Championship Young Right-Backs was €2.2M, with the average age at 22 years old.
The most valuable young right-back in the Championship was Elias Jelert, worth €7.0M and played for Southampton FC at 22 years old. The top 5 Young Right-Backs averaged €3.8M in market value, including Kaine Kesler-Hayden and Alfie Gilchrist.
Age distribution showed the youngest tracked young right-back was Dylan Watret (19 years, Ayr United FC, €200K), while the oldest was Kaine Kesler-Hayden (23 years, Coventry City, €4.0M). Research shows Young Right-Backs typically peak at age 27.
Historical analysis showed 9 Young Right-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 Right-Backs remained actively developing with emerging talent in the 2024-25 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 Right-Backs. Identify undervalued assets and track market momentum across 9 clubs with €20.1M combined value.
Age Distribution: Championship Young Right-Backs
The Championship RB market shows 2 distinct age segments, with the largest cohort in the 21-23 bracket (8 players, 89% of market). The 21-23 age group holds the most value at €19.9M, averaging €2.5M per player.
Top Young Right-Backs by Age Bracket
U21 Years (1 players)
21-23 Years (8 players)
Market Value Distribution
Elite Tier Concentration
The top 1 Young Right-Backs (11% of players) control €7.0M
Market Tiers
Market structure shows distributed value with mid (€5-15m) tier representing 11% of the Championship RB pool.
Mid (€5-15M)
Emerging (<€5M)
Club Distribution: Championship Young Right-Backs
Among 9 Championship clubs, Southampton FC leads with 1 Young Right-Backs worth €7.0M (averaging €7.0M per player). The top 10 clubs account for 100% of tracked Young Right-Backs.
Southampton FC (1 Young Right-Backs)
Coventry City (1 Young Right-Backs)
West Bromwich Albion (1 Young Right-Backs)
Derby County (1 Young Right-Backs)
Player Rankings
Ranked by Analytical Strength Index. Click any player to view full profile, or click the chart icon to see value history.
Elias Jelert
Southampton FC • 22 years old
€6.1M
€7.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €7.4M
56.4
Kaine Kesler-Hayden
Coventry City • 23 years old
€3.5M
€4.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €4.3M
50.1
Alfie Gilchrist
West Bromwich Albion • 22 years old
€3.5M
€4.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €4.2M
49.5
Max Johnston
Derby County • 22 years old
€2.6M
€3.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €3.2M
42.3
Brodie Spencer
Oxford United • 22 years old
€1.0M
€1.2M
+15.6%
Expected: €1.3M
30.9
Adam Forrester
St. Johnstone FC • 21 years old
€216K
€250K
+15.6%
Expected: €276K
10.8
Adam Devine
Airdrieonians FC • 23 years old
€195K
€225K
+15.6%
Expected: €241K
10.7
Shea Kearney
Dunfermline Athletic FC • 22 years old
€173K
€200K
+15.6%
Expected: €212K
8.6
Dylan Watret
Ayr United FC • 19 years old
€173K
€200K
+15.6%
Expected: €238K
6.8
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)
Southampton FC's Elias Jelert at 22 years old has the highest Pre-Peak Value Efficiency at 2.33×. That means Elias Jelert is valued 2.33× higher than the median player in the 21-23 age bracket-representing exceptional value before reaching peak age.
In second is Coventry City's Kaine Kesler-Hayden, who is 23 years old, with a 1.33× PPVE. Third is Alfie Gilchrist of West Bromwich Albion, who is 22 years old with a 1.33× 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 2.33× means the player is worth 133% 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 | Elias Jelert Southampton FC | 22 | 21-23 | €7.0M | €3.0M | 2.33× |
| #2 | Kaine Kesler-Hayden Coventry City | 23 | 21-23 | €4.0M | €3.0M | 1.33× |
| #3 | Alfie Gilchrist West Bromwich Albion | 22 | 21-23 | €4.0M | €3.0M | 1.33× |
| #4 | Dylan Watret Ayr United FC | 19 | U21 | €200K | €200K | 1.00× |
| #5 | Max Johnston Derby County | 22 | 21-23 | €3.0M | €3.0M | 1.00× |
| #6 | Brodie Spencer Oxford United | 22 | 21-23 | €1.2M | €3.0M | 0.40× |
| #7 | Adam Forrester St. Johnstone FC | 21 | 21-23 | €250K | €3.0M | 0.08× |
| #8 | Adam Devine Airdrieonians FC | 23 | 21-23 | €225K | €3.0M | 0.07× |
| #9 | Shea Kearney Dunfermline Athletic FC | 22 | 21-23 | €200K | €3.0M | 0.07× |
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)
Ayr United FC's Dylan Watret at 19 years old has the highest Return-to-Peak Potential at +40%. That means Dylan Watret is projected to appreciate 40% as they reach their peak age in 7 years-representing significant upside before entering their prime.
In second is St. Johnstone FC's Adam Forrester, who is 21 years old, with a +30% RPP (5 years to peak). Third is Elias Jelert of Southampton FC, who is 22 years old with a +25% RPP (4 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 | Dylan Watret Ayr United FC | 19 | 7 | €200K | €332K | +40% |
| #2 | Adam Forrester St. Johnstone FC | 21 | 5 | €250K | €359K | +30% |
| #3 | Elias Jelert Southampton FC | 22 | 4 | €7.0M | €9.4M | +25% |
| #4 | Brodie Spencer Oxford United | 22 | 4 | €1.2M | €1.6M | +25% |
| #5 | Alfie Gilchrist West Bromwich Albion | 22 | 4 | €4.0M | €5.3M | +25% |
| #6 | Shea Kearney Dunfermline Athletic FC | 22 | 4 | €200K | €267K | +25% |
| #7 | Max Johnston Derby County | 22 | 4 | €3.0M | €4.0M | +25% |
| #8 | Kaine Kesler-Hayden Coventry City | 23 | 3 | €4.0M | €5.0M | +20% |
| #9 | Adam Devine Airdrieonians FC | 23 | 3 | €225K | €280K | +20% |
Risk-Adjusted Upside (RAU)
Upside potential weighted against forecast uncertainty. Higher RAU = better risk-reward profile.
Understanding Risk-Adjusted Upside (RAU)
Ayr United FC's Dylan Watret has the highest Risk-Adjusted Upside at 58.0. That means Dylan Watret has 19% upside potential with only 0% forecast uncertainty-representing excellent risk-reward for value appreciation.
In second is St. Johnstone FC's Adam Forrester with a 33.7 RAU (10% upside, 0% uncertainty). Third is Kaine Kesler-Hayden of Coventry City with a 27.5 RAU (7% 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 | Dylan Watret Ayr United FC | €238K | €205K-271K | +19% | 58.0 |
| #2 | Adam Forrester St. Johnstone FC | €276K | €238K-314K | +10% | 33.7 |
| #3 | Kaine Kesler-Hayden Coventry City | €4.3M | €3.8M-4.8M | +7% | 27.5 |
| #4 | Adam Devine Airdrieonians FC | €241K | €212K-270K | +7% | 27.5 |
| #5 | Brodie Spencer Oxford United | €1.3M | €1.1M-1.4M | +6% | 23.0 |
| #6 | Elias Jelert Southampton FC | €7.4M | €6.5M-8.3M | +6% | 23.0 |
| #7 | Alfie Gilchrist West Bromwich Albion | €4.2M | €3.7M-4.7M | +6% | 23.0 |
| #8 | Shea Kearney Dunfermline Athletic FC | €212K | €186K-237K | +6% | 23.0 |
| #9 | Max Johnston Derby County | €3.2M | €2.8M-3.6M | +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 right-back position shows weak 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)
St. Johnstone FC's Adam Forrester in the 21-23 age bracket has the highest Age-Share Concentration at +10.1%. That means Elias Jelert captures 99.0% of total market value while representing only 88.9% of players in their age group-showing dominant elite status.
In second is Dunfermline Athletic FC's Shea Kearney with a +10.1% ASC (99.0% value share vs 88.9% player share in 21-23 bracket). Third is Kaine Kesler-Hayden of Coventry City with a +10.1% ASC (99.0% value vs 88.9% players in 21-23 bracket).
How ASC is calculated: ASC = (% of total value) - (% of total players) in age bracket. A +10.1% ASC means the player captures 10.1% 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 | Adam Forrester St. Johnstone FC | 21-23 | 99.0% | 88.9% | +10.1% |
| #2 | Shea Kearney Dunfermline Athletic FC | 21-23 | 99.0% | 88.9% | +10.1% |
| #3 | Kaine Kesler-Hayden Coventry City | 21-23 | 99.0% | 88.9% | +10.1% |
| #4 | Adam Devine Airdrieonians FC | 21-23 | 99.0% | 88.9% | +10.1% |
| #5 | Elias Jelert Southampton FC | 21-23 | 99.0% | 88.9% | +10.1% |
| #6 | Max Johnston Derby County | 21-23 | 99.0% | 88.9% | +10.1% |
| #7 | Brodie Spencer Oxford United | 21-23 | 99.0% | 88.9% | +10.1% |
| #8 | Alfie Gilchrist West Bromwich Albion | 21-23 | 99.0% | 88.9% | +10.1% |
| #9 | Dylan Watret Ayr United FC | U21 | 1.0% | 11.1% | -10.1% |
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, 8 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 €7.0M. 0 undervalued, 0 premium.
Value Positioning vs Peers
| Player | Market Value | Position Median | Z-Score | Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Shea Kearney Dunfermline Athletic FC | €200K | €1.2M | -0.26 | Fair Value |
Adam Devine Airdrieonians FC | €225K | €1.2M | -0.26 | Fair Value |
Adam Forrester St. Johnstone FC | €250K | €1.2M | -0.25 | Fair Value |
Dylan Watret Ayr United FC | €200K | €1.2M | 0.00 | Fair Value |
Elias Jelert Southampton FC | €7.0M | €1.2M | 0.00 | Fair Value |
Brodie Spencer Oxford United | €1.2M | €1.2M | 0.00 | Fair Value |
Max Johnston Derby County | €3.0M | €1.2M | +0.48 | Fair Value |
Kaine Kesler-Hayden Coventry City | €4.0M | €1.2M | +0.74 | Above Market |
Alfie Gilchrist West Bromwich Albion | €4.0M | €1.2M | +0.74 | Above Market |