Manchester United's Marcus Rashford and PSG's Kylian Mbappe - Top five Golden Boy 2017 contenders

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  • The 25-man shortlist for the Golden Boy 2017 award has been announced and there are plenty of worthy candidates in the mix.

    The award is presented by sports journalists to the best performing player under the age of 21 plying their trade in Europe.

    Renato Sanches was the recipient last year after starring for Portugal in their Euro 2016 triumph.

    There is no shortage of contenders this time around as well.

    Here’s a look at the top five contenders for the prize.

    MARCUS RASHFORD | MANCHESTER UNITED

    The Manchester United local talent burst onto the scene in phenomenal fashion at the start of 2016. Since Jose Mourinho has taken over, Rashford has still been an integral part of the team but has seen the bulk of the goal scoring responsibility wisely shifted to first Zlatan Ibrahimovic and then Romelu Lukaku.

    However, when the big Swede suffered a knee injury towards the end of the previous campaign, Rashford stepped up impressively and guided United to a maiden Europa League trophy, displaying maturity beyond his years.

    With Lukaku taking centre stage this season, the England international has been shifted out to the left flank again but has performed remarkably, already registering three goals and an assist in seven appearances across all competitions. However, it’s his industry, relentlessness and link up play that has caught the eye.

    2017 CLUB STATS

    APPS: 37

    GOALS: 10

    ASSISTS: 6

    RATING: 7/10

    Marcus Rashord

    KYLIAN MBAPPE | PSG

    There aren’t many meteoric rises that could eclipse Rashford’s but Kylian Mbappe’s swift transition from anonymity to world football stardom is most definitely one.

    As a mere 18-year-old, the Frenchman not only established himself in AS Monaco’s first team, but quickly grew into their undisputed talisman.

    The pacey attacker scored 15 goals and provided eight assists as Monaco powered their way to the Ligue 1 title. What was particularly impressive though was his performances in the Champions League, really proving his mettle in the knockout stages.

    He wasn’t daunted at all by club football’s biggest stage and instead made it his own with scintillating displays, scoring six goals as Monaco bowed out in the semi-finals against Juventus. Having moved to Paris Saint-Germain in the summer, he’s already hit the ground running, scoring in the league and Champions League.

    2017 CLUB STATS

    APPS: 34

    GOALS: 22

    ASSISTS: 8

    RATING: 9/10

    Kylian Mbappe

    GIANLUIGI DONNARUMMA | AC MILAN

    Widely regarded as Europe’s most promising goalkeeper, Gianluigi Donnarumma was engulfed in an ugly standoff with AC Milan in the summer over a contract dispute. He’s now the third highest paid keeper in Europe, earning more than even his idol and Juventus legend Gianluigi Buffon.

    Such is Donnarumma’s immense talent that he’s been regularly likened to the Italian football icon. The 18-year-old has no significant weaknesses and will only get better with time.

    The young custodian has been in superb form for Milan this year as they finished sixth in Serie A, won Supercoppa Italiana and went out in the quarter-finals of Coppa Italia.

    2017 CLUB STATS

    APPS: 31

    CLEAN SHEETS: 10

    RATING: 7/10

    Gianluigi Donnarumma

    GABRIEL JESUS | MANCHESTER CITY

    Gabriel Jesus has emerged as one of Brazil’s standout young stars and the ease with which he slotted into Manchester City’s set-up under Pep Guardiola, one of the more demanding coaches in world football, speaks volumes.

    After beginning his City career in fine goal scoring form, a metatarsal fracture ruled him out for a month but he impressively got back to scoring ways immediately on his return. Meanwhile, relegating Sergio Aguero to bench last season was no small feat either.

    He’s shown his ability to adjust as well, having forged a lethal partnership with the experienced Argentine this season with Guardiola keen to use the two as a pair up front more often than not.

    2017 CLUB STATS

    APPS: 17

    GOALS: 12

    ASSISTS: 5

    RATING: 8/10

    Gabriel Jesus

    OUSMANE DEMBELE | BARCELONA

    Having become the second most expensive player of all-time this summer, it’s no surprise that Ousmane Dembele finds himself firmly in contention for the Golden Boy award.

    The French attacker was the star of Borussia Dortmund’s season last term alongside top scorer Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Despite finishing third in Bundesliga, they did make it to the Champions League quarter-finals. Meanwhile, Dembele was the standout performer as they beat Bayern Munich in a thrilling German Cup final.

    Over the course of the league campaign, the 20-year-old popped up with 13 assists and six goals. He marked his first appearance for Barcelona with an assist this season but a hamstring injury is set to keep him out for around three months, hampering his chances to strengthen his claim for the coveted award.

    2017 CLUB STATS

    APPS: 29

    GOALS: 5

    ASSISTS: 13

    RATING: 8/10

    Ousmane Dembele

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