Best U23 Young Defensive Midfielders in the Premier League
12 players aged 23 or under · ranked by Analytical Strength Score
Best Young Defensive Midfielders in the Premier League (Apr 2026)
Ranked by Analytical Strength Score
Market Overview: Premier League Young Defensive Midfielders 2022-23
Our database tracked 12 Premier League Young Defensive Midfielders in the 2022-23 season, representing 7 clubs with a combined market value of £289.1M. The average market value for Premier League Young Defensive Midfielders was £24.1M, with the average age at 21.6 years old.
The most valuable young defensive midfielder in the Premier League was Ryan Gravenberch, worth £75.0M and played for Liverpool FC at 23 years old. The top 5 Young Defensive Midfielders averaged £44.8M in market value, including Adam Wharton and Roméo Lavia.
Age distribution showed the youngest tracked young defensive midfielder was Yunus Konak (20 years, Brentford FC, £4.5M), while the oldest was Ryan Gravenberch (23 years, Liverpool FC, £75.0M). Research shows Young Defensive Midfielders typically peak at age 26-27.
Historical analysis showed 12 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 Premier League market for Young Defensive Midfielders 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 Premier League
Interactive bubble chart showing predicted 2-year growth vs current age for all Premier League Young Defensive Midfielders. Identify undervalued assets and track market momentum across 7 clubs with £289.1M combined value.
Age Distribution: Premier League Young Defensive Midfielders
The Premier League CDM market shows 2 distinct age segments, with the largest cohort in the 21-23 bracket (11 players, 92% of market). The 21-23 age group holds the most value at £284.6M, averaging £25.9M per player.
Top Young Defensive Midfielders by Age Bracket
U21 Years (1 players)
21-23 Years (11 players)
Market Value Distribution
Elite Tier Concentration
The top 2 Young Defensive Midfielders (17% of players) control £120.0M
Market Tiers
Market structure shows distributed value with elite (€50m+) tier representing 8% of the Premier League CDM pool.
Elite (€50M+)
Premium (€30-50M)
High (€15-30M)
Club Distribution: Premier League Young Defensive Midfielders
Among 7 Premier League clubs, Liverpool FC leads with 2 Young Defensive Midfielders worth £84.0M (averaging £42.0M per player). The top 10 clubs account for 100% of tracked Young Defensive Midfielders.
Liverpool FC (2 Young Defensive Midfielders)
Brighton & Hove Albion (2 Young Defensive Midfielders)
Chelsea FC (2 Young Defensive Midfielders)
Crystal Palace (2 Young Defensive Midfielders)
Player Rankings
Ranked by APE Strength Score. Click any player to view full profile, or click the chart icon to see value history.
Ryan Gravenberch
Liverpool FC • 23 years old
£64.9M
£75.0M
+15.6%
Expected: £82.6M
94.6
Adam Wharton
Crystal Palace • 22 years old
£38.9M
£45.0M
+15.6%
Expected: £51.6M
87.9
Roméo Lavia
Chelsea FC • 22 years old
£34.6M
£40.0M
+15.6%
Expected: £45.9M
86.6
Carlos Baleba
Brighton & Hove Albion • 22 years old
£34.6M
£40.0M
+15.6%
Expected: £45.9M
86.4
Jack Hinshelwood
Brighton & Hove Albion • 21 years old
£20.8M
£24.0M
+15.6%
Expected: £27.5M
76.0
Dário Essugo
Chelsea FC • 21 years old
£17.3M
£20.0M
+15.6%
Expected: £22.9M
73.8
Lesley Ugochukwu
Burnley FC • 22 years old
£15.6M
£18.0M
+15.6%
Expected: £19.8M
72.7
Soungoutou Magassa
West Ham United • 22 years old
£10.4M
£12.0M
+15.6%
Expected: £13.2M
67.6
Stefan Bajcetic
Liverpool FC • 21 years old
£7.8M
£9.0M
+15.6%
Expected: £10.3M
60.1
Yunus Konak
Brentford FC • 20 years old
£3.9M
£4.5M
+15.6%
Expected: £5.4M
50.7
Freddie Potts
West Ham United • 22 years old
£1.2M
£1.4M
+15.6%
Expected: £1.5M
33.1
Kaden Rodney
Crystal Palace • 21 years old
£173K
£200K
+15.6%
Expected: £229K
8.1
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)
Liverpool FC's Ryan Gravenberch at 23 years old has the highest Pre-Peak Value Efficiency at 3.75×. That means Ryan Gravenberch is valued 3.75× higher than the median player in the 21-23 age bracket—representing exceptional value before reaching peak age.
In second is Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton, who is 22 years old, with a 2.25× PPVE. Third is Roméo Lavia of Chelsea FC, who is 22 years old with a 2.00× 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 3.75× means the player is worth 275% 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 | Ryan Gravenberch Liverpool FC | 23 | 21-23 | £75.0M | £20.0M | 3.75× |
| #2 | Adam Wharton Crystal Palace | 22 | 21-23 | £45.0M | £20.0M | 2.25× |
| #3 | Roméo Lavia Chelsea FC | 22 | 21-23 | £40.0M | £20.0M | 2.00× |
| #4 | Carlos Baleba Brighton & Hove Albion | 22 | 21-23 | £40.0M | £20.0M | 2.00× |
| #5 | Jack Hinshelwood Brighton & Hove Albion | 21 | 21-23 | £24.0M | £20.0M | 1.20× |
| #6 | Yunus Konak Brentford FC | 20 | U21 | £4.5M | £4.5M | 1.00× |
| #7 | Dário Essugo Chelsea FC | 21 | 21-23 | £20.0M | £20.0M | 1.00× |
| #8 | Lesley Ugochukwu Burnley FC | 22 | 21-23 | £18.0M | £20.0M | 0.90× |
| #9 | Soungoutou Magassa West Ham United | 22 | 21-23 | £12.0M | £20.0M | 0.60× |
| #10 | Stefan Bajcetic Liverpool FC | 21 | 21-23 | £9.0M | £20.0M | 0.45× |
| #11 | Freddie Potts West Ham United | 22 | 21-23 | £1.4M | £20.0M | 0.07× |
| #12 | Kaden Rodney Crystal Palace | 21 | 21-23 | £200K | £20.0M | 0.01× |
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)
Brentford FC's Yunus Konak at 20 years old has the highest Return-to-Peak Potential at +40%. That means Yunus Konak is projected to appreciate 40% as they reach their peak age in 6 years—representing significant upside before entering their prime.
In second is Brighton & Hove Albion's Jack Hinshelwood, who is 21 years old, with a +35% RPP (5 years to peak). Third is Dário Essugo of Chelsea FC, who is 21 years old with a +35% RPP (5 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 | Yunus Konak Brentford FC | 20 | 6 | £4.5M | £7.5M | +40% |
| #2 | Jack Hinshelwood Brighton & Hove Albion | 21 | 5 | £24.0M | £37.1M | +35% |
| #3 | Dário Essugo Chelsea FC | 21 | 5 | £20.0M | £30.9M | +35% |
| #4 | Kaden Rodney Crystal Palace | 21 | 5 | £200K | £309K | +35% |
| #5 | Stefan Bajcetic Liverpool FC | 21 | 5 | £9.0M | £13.9M | +35% |
| #6 | Freddie Potts West Ham United | 22 | 4 | £1.4M | £2.0M | +30% |
| #7 | Lesley Ugochukwu Burnley FC | 22 | 4 | £18.0M | £25.9M | +30% |
| #8 | Roméo Lavia Chelsea FC | 22 | 4 | £40.0M | £57.5M | +30% |
| #9 | Carlos Baleba Brighton & Hove Albion | 22 | 4 | £40.0M | £57.5M | +30% |
| #10 | Adam Wharton Crystal Palace | 22 | 4 | £45.0M | £64.7M | +30% |
| #11 | Soungoutou Magassa West Ham United | 22 | 4 | £12.0M | £17.2M | +30% |
| #12 | Ryan Gravenberch Liverpool FC | 23 | 3 | £75.0M | £100.3M | +25% |
Risk-Adjusted Upside (RAU)
Upside potential weighted against forecast uncertainty. Higher RAU = better risk-reward profile.
Understanding Risk-Adjusted Upside (RAU)
Brentford FC's Yunus Konak has the highest Risk-Adjusted Upside at 58.0. That means Yunus Konak has 19% upside potential with only 0% forecast uncertainty—representing excellent risk-reward for value appreciation.
In second is Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton with a 53.6 RAU (15% upside, 0% uncertainty). Third is Roméo Lavia of Chelsea FC with a 53.6 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 | Yunus Konak Brentford FC | £5.4M | £4.6M-6.1M | +19% | 58.0 |
| #2 | Adam Wharton Crystal Palace | £51.6M | £45.4M-57.8M | +15% | 53.6 |
| #3 | Roméo Lavia Chelsea FC | £45.9M | £40.4M-51.4M | +15% | 53.6 |
| #4 | Carlos Baleba Brighton & Hove Albion | £45.9M | £40.4M-51.4M | +15% | 53.6 |
| #5 | Jack Hinshelwood Brighton & Hove Albion | £27.5M | £23.7M-31.3M | +15% | 46.3 |
| #6 | Stefan Bajcetic Liverpool FC | £10.3M | £8.9M-11.7M | +15% | 46.3 |
| #7 | Kaden Rodney Crystal Palace | £229K | £198K-261K | +15% | 46.3 |
| #8 | Dário Essugo Chelsea FC | £22.9M | £19.8M-26.1M | +15% | 46.3 |
| #9 | Freddie Potts West Ham United | £1.5M | £1.4M-1.7M | +10% | 38.7 |
| #10 | Soungoutou Magassa West Ham United | £13.2M | £11.6M-14.8M | +10% | 38.7 |
| #11 | Lesley Ugochukwu Burnley FC | £19.8M | £17.5M-22.2M | +10% | 38.7 |
| #12 | Ryan Gravenberch Liverpool FC | £82.6M | £72.7M-92.5M | +10% | 38.4 |
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 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)
Liverpool FC's Ryan Gravenberch in the 21-23 age bracket has the highest Age-Share Concentration at +6.8%. That means Ryan Gravenberch captures 98.4% of total market value while representing only 91.7% of players in their age group—showing dominant elite status.
In second is Chelsea FC's Roméo Lavia with a +6.8% ASC (98.4% value share vs 91.7% player share in 21-23 bracket). Third is Dário Essugo of Chelsea FC with a +6.8% ASC (98.4% value vs 91.7% players in 21-23 bracket).
How ASC is calculated: ASC = (% of total value) - (% of total players) in age bracket. A +6.8% ASC means the player captures 6.8% 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 | Ryan Gravenberch Liverpool FC | 21-23 | 98.4% | 91.7% | +6.8% |
| #2 | Roméo Lavia Chelsea FC | 21-23 | 98.4% | 91.7% | +6.8% |
| #3 | Dário Essugo Chelsea FC | 21-23 | 98.4% | 91.7% | +6.8% |
| #4 | Freddie Potts West Ham United | 21-23 | 98.4% | 91.7% | +6.8% |
| #5 | Lesley Ugochukwu Burnley FC | 21-23 | 98.4% | 91.7% | +6.8% |
| #6 | Adam Wharton Crystal Palace | 21-23 | 98.4% | 91.7% | +6.8% |
| #7 | Soungoutou Magassa West Ham United | 21-23 | 98.4% | 91.7% | +6.8% |
| #8 | Kaden Rodney Crystal Palace | 21-23 | 98.4% | 91.7% | +6.8% |
| #9 | Stefan Bajcetic Liverpool FC | 21-23 | 98.4% | 91.7% | +6.8% |
| #10 | Jack Hinshelwood Brighton & Hove Albion | 21-23 | 98.4% | 91.7% | +6.8% |
| #11 | Carlos Baleba Brighton & Hove Albion | 21-23 | 98.4% | 91.7% | +6.8% |
| #12 | Yunus Konak Brentford FC | U21 | 1.6% | 8.3% | -6.8% |
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, 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 £75.0M. 0 undervalued, 0 premium.
Value Positioning vs Peers
| Player | Market Value | Position Median | Z-Score | Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Kaden Rodney Crystal Palace | £200K | £20.0M | -1.00 | Good Value |
Stefan Bajcetic Liverpool FC | £9.0M | £20.0M | -1.00 | Good Value |
Lesley Ugochukwu Burnley FC | £18.0M | £20.0M | -0.33 | Fair Value |
Yunus Konak Brentford FC | £4.5M | £20.0M | 0.00 | Fair Value |
Ryan Gravenberch Liverpool FC | £75.0M | £20.0M | 0.00 | Fair Value |
Roméo Lavia Chelsea FC | £40.0M | £20.0M | 0.00 | Fair Value |
Dário Essugo Chelsea FC | £20.0M | £20.0M | 0.00 | Fair Value |
Freddie Potts West Ham United | £1.4M | £20.0M | 0.00 | Fair Value |
Soungoutou Magassa West Ham United | £12.0M | £20.0M | 0.00 | Fair Value |
Carlos Baleba Brighton & Hove Albion | £40.0M | £20.0M | 0.00 | Fair Value |
Jack Hinshelwood Brighton & Hove Albion | £24.0M | £20.0M | +0.67 | Above Market |
Adam Wharton Crystal Palace | £45.0M | £20.0M | +1.00 | Above Market |