Best U23 Young Defensive Midfielders in the Eredivisie
13 players aged 23 or under · ranked by Analytical Strength Index
Best Young Defensive Midfielders in the Eredivisie (Jul 2026)
Ranked by Analytical Strength Index
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.
Player Rankings
Ranked by Analytical Strength Index. Click any player to view full profile, or click the chart icon to see value history.
Alonzo Engwanda
FC Utrecht • 23 years old
€6.1M
€7.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €7.5M
57.1
Stije Resink
FC Groningen • 23 years old
€6.1M
€7.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €7.5M
57.1
Jorthy Mokio
Ajax Amsterdam • 18 years old
€6.9M
€8.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €9.9M
55.7
Youri Regeer
Ajax Amsterdam • 22 years old
€4.3M
€5.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €5.3M
52.3
Calvin Twigt
Go Ahead Eagles • 23 years old
€649K
€750K
+15.6%
Expected: €803K
25.7
Thijs Kraaijeveld
Feyenoord Rotterdam • 19 years old
€692K
€800K
+15.6%
Expected: €953K
24.0
Amine Lachkar
Willem II Tilburg • 23 years old
€519K
€600K
+15.6%
Expected: €642K
22.9
Kasper Boogaard
AZ Alkmaar • 20 years old
€519K
€600K
+15.6%
Expected: €688K
21.1
Julian Brandes
Ajax Amsterdam • 22 years old
€346K
€400K
+15.6%
Expected: €423K
17.2
Nick Fichtinger
PEC Zwolle • 22 years old
€303K
€350K
+15.6%
Expected: €370K
15.6
Enoch Mastoras
AZ Alkmaar • 20 years old
€303K
€350K
+15.6%
Expected: €401K
14.3
Jafar Bynoe
Sparta Rotterdam • 22 years old
€130K
€150K
+15.6%
Expected: €159K
5.0
Gabi Caschili
PEC Zwolle • 23 years old
€108K
€125K
+15.6%
Expected: €134K
3.4
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Explore Market Size by Position in Eredivisie
Interactive bubble chart showing predicted 2-year growth vs current age for all Eredivisie Young Defensive Midfielders. Identify undervalued assets and track market momentum across 9 clubs with €31.1M combined value.
Age Distribution: Eredivisie Young Defensive Midfielders
The Eredivisie CDM market shows 2 distinct age segments, with the largest cohort in the 21-23 bracket (9 players, 69% of market). The 21-23 age group holds the most value at €21.4M, averaging €2.4M per player.
Top Young Defensive Midfielders by Age Bracket
U21 Years (4 players)
21-23 Years (9 players)
Market Value Distribution
Elite Tier Concentration
The top 2 Young Defensive Midfielders (15% of players) control €14.0M
Market Tiers
Market structure shows distributed value with mid (€5-15m) tier representing 31% of the Eredivisie CDM pool.
Mid (€5-15M)
Emerging (<€5M)
Club Distribution: Eredivisie Young Defensive Midfielders
Among 9 Eredivisie clubs, Ajax Amsterdam leads with 3 Young Defensive Midfielders worth €13.4M (averaging €4.5M per player). The top 10 clubs account for 100% of tracked Young Defensive Midfielders.
Ajax Amsterdam (3 Young Defensive Midfielders)
FC Utrecht (1 Young Defensive Midfielders)
FC Groningen (1 Young Defensive Midfielders)
AZ Alkmaar (2 Young Defensive Midfielders)
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)
FC Utrecht's Alonzo Engwanda at 23 years old has the highest Pre-Peak Value Efficiency at 11.67×. That means Alonzo Engwanda is valued 11.67× higher than the median player in the 21-23 age bracket-representing exceptional value before reaching peak age.
In second is FC Groningen's Stije Resink, who is 23 years old, with a 11.67× PPVE. Third is Jorthy Mokio of Ajax Amsterdam, who is 18 years old with a 10.00× 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 11.67× means the player is worth 1067% 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 | Alonzo Engwanda FC Utrecht | 23 | 21-23 | €7.0M | €600K | 11.67× |
| #2 | Stije Resink FC Groningen | 23 | 21-23 | €7.0M | €600K | 11.67× |
| #3 | Jorthy Mokio Ajax Amsterdam | 18 | U21 | €8.0M | €800K | 10.00× |
| #4 | Youri Regeer Ajax Amsterdam | 22 | 21-23 | €5.0M | €600K | 8.33× |
| #5 | Calvin Twigt Go Ahead Eagles | 23 | 21-23 | €750K | €600K | 1.25× |
| #6 | Amine Lachkar Willem II Tilburg | 23 | 21-23 | €600K | €600K | 1.00× |
| #7 | Thijs Kraaijeveld Feyenoord Rotterdam | 19 | U21 | €800K | €800K | 1.00× |
| #8 | Kasper Boogaard AZ Alkmaar | 20 | U21 | €600K | €800K | 0.75× |
| #9 | Julian Brandes Ajax Amsterdam | 22 | 21-23 | €400K | €600K | 0.67× |
| #10 | Nick Fichtinger PEC Zwolle | 22 | 21-23 | €350K | €600K | 0.58× |
| #11 | Enoch Mastoras AZ Alkmaar | 20 | U21 | €350K | €800K | 0.44× |
| #12 | Jafar Bynoe Sparta Rotterdam | 22 | 21-23 | €150K | €600K | 0.25× |
| #13 | Gabi Caschili PEC Zwolle | 23 | 21-23 | €125K | €600K | 0.21× |
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)
Ajax Amsterdam's Jorthy Mokio at 18 years old has the highest Return-to-Peak Potential at +44%. That means Jorthy Mokio is projected to appreciate 44% as they reach their peak age in 8 years-representing significant upside before entering their prime.
In second is Feyenoord Rotterdam's Thijs Kraaijeveld, who is 19 years old, with a +40% RPP (7 years to peak). Third is Enoch Mastoras of AZ Alkmaar, 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 44% RPP means the player is expected to gain 44% 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 | Jorthy Mokio Ajax Amsterdam | 18 | 8 | €8.0M | €14.3M | +44% |
| #2 | Thijs Kraaijeveld Feyenoord Rotterdam | 19 | 7 | €800K | €1.3M | +40% |
| #3 | Enoch Mastoras AZ Alkmaar | 20 | 6 | €350K | €541K | +35% |
| #4 | Kasper Boogaard AZ Alkmaar | 20 | 6 | €600K | €927K | +35% |
| #5 | Youri Regeer Ajax Amsterdam | 22 | 4 | €5.0M | €6.7M | +25% |
| #6 | Nick Fichtinger PEC Zwolle | 22 | 4 | €350K | €468K | +25% |
| #7 | Jafar Bynoe Sparta Rotterdam | 22 | 4 | €150K | €201K | +25% |
| #8 | Julian Brandes Ajax Amsterdam | 22 | 4 | €400K | €535K | +25% |
| #9 | Calvin Twigt Go Ahead Eagles | 23 | 3 | €750K | €932K | +20% |
| #10 | Amine Lachkar Willem II Tilburg | 23 | 3 | €600K | €746K | +20% |
| #11 | Gabi Caschili PEC Zwolle | 23 | 3 | €125K | €155K | +20% |
| #12 | Alonzo Engwanda FC Utrecht | 23 | 3 | €7.0M | €8.7M | +20% |
| #13 | Stije Resink FC Groningen | 23 | 3 | €7.0M | €8.7M | +20% |
Risk-Adjusted Upside (RAU)
Upside potential weighted against forecast uncertainty. Higher RAU = better risk-reward profile.
Understanding Risk-Adjusted Upside (RAU)
Ajax Amsterdam's Jorthy Mokio has the highest Risk-Adjusted Upside at 63.6. That means Jorthy Mokio has 23% upside potential with only 0% forecast uncertainty-representing excellent risk-reward for value appreciation.
In second is Feyenoord Rotterdam's Thijs Kraaijeveld with a 53.6 RAU (19% upside, 0% uncertainty). Third is Enoch Mastoras of AZ Alkmaar with a 42.8 RAU (15% upside, 0% uncertainty).
How RAU is calculated: RAU divides upside potential by forecast uncertainty (RAU = Upside % ÷ Uncertainty %). A RAU of 63.6 means the upside is 63.6× 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 | Jorthy Mokio Ajax Amsterdam | €9.9M | €8.4M-11.4M | +23% | 63.6 |
| #2 | Thijs Kraaijeveld Feyenoord Rotterdam | €953K | €810K-1.1M | +19% | 53.6 |
| #3 | Enoch Mastoras AZ Alkmaar | €401K | €341K-461K | +15% | 42.8 |
| #4 | Kasper Boogaard AZ Alkmaar | €688K | €585K-791K | +15% | 42.8 |
| #5 | Amine Lachkar Willem II Tilburg | €642K | €559K-726K | +7% | 25.4 |
| #6 | Gabi Caschili PEC Zwolle | €134K | €116K-151K | +7% | 25.4 |
| #7 | Alonzo Engwanda FC Utrecht | €7.5M | €6.5M-8.5M | +7% | 25.4 |
| #8 | Stije Resink FC Groningen | €7.5M | €6.5M-8.5M | +7% | 25.4 |
| #9 | Calvin Twigt Go Ahead Eagles | €803K | €699K-907K | +7% | 25.4 |
| #10 | Jafar Bynoe Sparta Rotterdam | €159K | €138K-179K | +6% | 21.2 |
| #11 | Nick Fichtinger PEC Zwolle | €370K | €322K-419K | +6% | 21.2 |
| #12 | Julian Brandes Ajax Amsterdam | €423K | €368K-478K | +6% | 21.2 |
| #13 | Youri Regeer Ajax Amsterdam | €5.3M | €4.6M-6.0M | +6% | 21.2 |
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 defensive midfielder 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)
Ajax Amsterdam's Youri Regeer in the 21-23 age bracket has the highest Age-Share Concentration at +-0.6%. That means Alonzo Engwanda captures 68.7% of total market value while representing only 69.2% of players in their age group-showing dominant elite status.
In second is FC Utrecht's Alonzo Engwanda with a +-0.6% ASC (68.7% value share vs 69.2% player share in 21-23 bracket). Third is Calvin Twigt of Go Ahead Eagles with a +-0.6% ASC (68.7% value vs 69.2% players in 21-23 bracket).
How ASC is calculated: ASC = (% of total value) - (% of total players) in age bracket. A +-0.6% ASC means the player captures -0.6% 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 | Youri Regeer Ajax Amsterdam | 21-23 | 68.7% | 69.2% | -0.6% |
| #2 | Alonzo Engwanda FC Utrecht | 21-23 | 68.7% | 69.2% | -0.6% |
| #3 | Calvin Twigt Go Ahead Eagles | 21-23 | 68.7% | 69.2% | -0.6% |
| #4 | Julian Brandes Ajax Amsterdam | 21-23 | 68.7% | 69.2% | -0.6% |
| #5 | Gabi Caschili PEC Zwolle | 21-23 | 68.7% | 69.2% | -0.6% |
| #6 | Jafar Bynoe Sparta Rotterdam | 21-23 | 68.7% | 69.2% | -0.6% |
| #7 | Stije Resink FC Groningen | 21-23 | 68.7% | 69.2% | -0.6% |
| #8 | Nick Fichtinger PEC Zwolle | 21-23 | 68.7% | 69.2% | -0.6% |
| #9 | Amine Lachkar Willem II Tilburg | 21-23 | 68.7% | 69.2% | -0.6% |
| #10 | Jorthy Mokio Ajax Amsterdam | U21 | 31.3% | 30.8% | +0.6% |
| #11 | Enoch Mastoras AZ Alkmaar | U21 | 31.3% | 30.8% | +0.6% |
| #12 | Thijs Kraaijeveld Feyenoord Rotterdam | U21 | 31.3% | 30.8% | +0.6% |
| #13 | Kasper Boogaard AZ Alkmaar | U21 | 31.3% | 30.8% | +0.6% |
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: 2 immediate targets, 11 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Youri Regeer Ajax Amsterdam | €5.0M | €600K | -1.00 | Good Value |
Gabi Caschili PEC Zwolle | €125K | €600K | -0.61 | Good Value |
Jafar Bynoe Sparta Rotterdam | €150K | €600K | -0.56 | Good Value |
Enoch Mastoras AZ Alkmaar | €350K | €600K | -0.56 | Good Value |
Nick Fichtinger PEC Zwolle | €350K | €600K | -0.11 | Fair Value |
Jorthy Mokio Ajax Amsterdam | €8.0M | €600K | 0.00 | Fair Value |
Alonzo Engwanda FC Utrecht | €7.0M | €600K | 0.00 | Fair Value |
Julian Brandes Ajax Amsterdam | €400K | €600K | 0.00 | Fair Value |
Stije Resink FC Groningen | €7.0M | €600K | 0.00 | Fair Value |
Kasper Boogaard AZ Alkmaar | €600K | €600K | 0.00 | Fair Value |
Amine Lachkar Willem II Tilburg | €600K | €600K | +0.44 | Fair Value |
Thijs Kraaijeveld Feyenoord Rotterdam | €800K | €600K | +0.44 | Fair Value |
Calvin Twigt Go Ahead Eagles | €750K | €600K | +0.78 | Above Market |
Market Overview: Eredivisie Young Defensive Midfielders 2026-27
Our database tracked 13 Eredivisie Young Defensive Midfielders in the 2026-27 season, representing 9 clubs with a combined market value of €31.1M. The average market value for Eredivisie Young Defensive Midfielders was €2.4M, with the average age at 22 years old.
The most valuable young defensive midfielder in the Eredivisie was Alonzo Engwanda, worth €7.0M and played for FC Utrecht at 23 years old. The top 5 Young Defensive Midfielders averaged €5.5M in market value, including Stije Resink and Jorthy Mokio.
Age distribution showed the youngest tracked young defensive midfielder was Jorthy Mokio (18 years, Ajax Amsterdam, €8.0M), while the oldest was Alonzo Engwanda (23 years, FC Utrecht, €7.0M). Research shows Young Defensive Midfielders typically peak at age 26-27.
Historical analysis showed 13 Young Defensive Midfielders (100%) increased in market value over the following 12 months based on age-curve trajectories, then-current performance trends, and playing time analysis. The Eredivisie market for Young Defensive Midfielders remained actively developing with emerging talent in the 2026-27 season.
How We Rank Eredivisie Young Defensive Midfielders
Our Analytical Strength Index is calibrated specifically for young defensive midfielders, 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 CDM
Historical Achievement Index (35%)
Peak career market value for Eredivisie young defensive midfielders, 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 Eredivisie young defensive midfielders, capturing recent form, injuries, and current performance level. Weighted to reflect age-related depreciation patterns.
Playing Time Utilization (18%)
Midfielders with 2,400+ minutes score highest, indicating regular starting role and sustained performance.
Age-Adjusted Performance Curve (12%)
Midfielders peak at 26-27 with 6.0%/year decline. Pre-peak players score higher on development trajectory.
Competition Level Adjustment (3%)
Eredivisie 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.
CDM Performance Benchmarks
Peak Age: 26-27 years (technical skill and tactical awareness)
Decline Rate: 6.0% per year (technical skills age better than physical attributes)
Optimal Minutes: 2,400-2,500 per season (balance of involvement and recovery)
1-Year Market Value Forecast
Probabilistic model combining age-curve depreciation, value momentum, and playing time factors:
• Age Factor: Midfielder -6.0%/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: ±12-15% confidence interval
Research Foundation
• Dendir (2016): Age-performance curves for young defensive midfielders
• 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 Eredivisie Young Defensive Midfielders in the 2026-27 season
Who are the most valuable Young Defensive Midfielders in the Eredivisie in 2026-27?
The most valuable young defensive midfielder in the Eredivisie in 2026-27 is Alonzo Engwanda, who is worth €7.0M and plays for FC Utrecht. The second most valuable is Stije Resink (€7.0M, FC Groningen), followed by Jorthy Mokio (€8.0M, Ajax Amsterdam). Our database tracks 13 Eredivisie Young Defensive Midfielders with comprehensive market valuations updated for the 2026-27 season.
How are Eredivisie Young Defensive Midfielders ranked?
Eredivisie Young Defensive Midfielders are ranked by our proprietary Analytical Strength Index, which is specifically calibrated for Young Defensive Midfielders. 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 Eredivisie 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 Defensive Midfielders peak?
Midfielders typically peak at age 26-27, with a decline rate of 6.0% per year after peak. Central midfielders require a blend of physicality, technical skill, and tactical awareness. The optimal playing time for peak performance is around 2,400-2,500 minutes per season.
How much does it cost to sign a top young defensive midfielder from the Eredivisie?
Transfer fees for Eredivisie Young Defensive Midfielders vary significantly based on market value, contract length, and club bargaining position. For the top-ranked young defensive midfielder Alonzo Engwanda (market value: €7.0M), estimated transfer fees would range from €5.6M to €9.8M 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 Eredivisie transactions.
What is the value forecast for Eredivisie Young Defensive Midfielders?
Our 1-year forecast model projects market value changes for Eredivisie Young Defensive Midfielders 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-midfielders have ±12-15% 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 Eredivisie young defensive midfielder data come from?
Our Eredivisie young defensive midfielder 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 Eredivisie sources and updated monthly for the 2026-27 season to ensure accuracy for recruitment and investment decisions.