Under-21s Team of the Week: Vicente Reyes and Dane Scarlett Lead the Way

Under-21s Team of the Week: Vicente Reyes and Dane Scarlett Lead the Way

With outstanding performances at every position this week, English football once again demonstrated the brilliance of up-and-coming U21 talents. Here is a summary of the weekend's top young players, ranging from goalkeeper to striker.

Goalkeeper: Vicente Reyes (Cambridge United)

Vicente Reyes was instrumental in Cambridge United's triumph over Woking. His calm demeanour in goal kept his team clean, and he made two vital saves that kept Woking from establishing any offensive rhythm. Cambridge advanced to the next round thanks in large part to Reyes' assured handling and fast responses.

Defenders: Alfie Gilchrist, Levi Colwill, and Lewis Hall

• Alfie Gilchrist (Sheffield United) – Gilchrist played a strong defensive role in Sheffield United's victory over Blackburn. His impressive positioning and game reading are demonstrated by his stats, which include four clearances, one blocked shot, and one interception. Because to Gilchrist's dependability, his team was able to maintain a clean sheet.
• Levi Colwill (Chelsea) – Colwill's performance against Manchester United was central to Chelsea’s 1-1 draw. With 3 interceptions, 1 clearance, and a solid record in duels, he showed his ability to stay composed under pressure. Colwill won 5 ground duels and 2 aerial battles, anchoring Chelsea’s defense effectively.
• Lewis Hall (Newcastle United) – Newcastle defeated Arsenal by a narrow margin of 1-0 thanks in large part to Hall's performance. Eight clearances, four tackles, and a line-saving clearance were among his defensive contributions that prevented Arsenal from tying the score. In Newcastle's back line, he stood out for his awareness and dedication.

Midfielders: Jun-ho Bae, Oliver Arblaster, Romeo Lavia, and Milos Kerkez

• Jun-ho Bae (Stoke City) – Bae's inventiveness was evident in Stoke's 2-1 victory over Derby. He showed his accuracy and vision on the ball by providing a vital assist. A major contributor to Stoke's victory, Bae's explosive performance on the right wing gave their assault more depth.
• Oliver Arblaster (Sheffield United) – Arblaster played a key role in midfield as Sheffield defeated Blackburn 2-0. He maintained a stellar 87% accuracy rate with 45 of 52 completed passes, and his six pivotal passes showed that he could influence play. He is a young playmaker, as evidenced by his performance.
• Romeo Lavia (Chelsea) – Lavia’s midfield strength helped Chelsea in their 1-1 draw with Manchester United. Completing all 3 dribbles and winning 9 duels, Lavia brought balance to Chelsea’s midfield. His control in tight spaces and consistency in aerial duels were crucial to Chelsea’s flow.
• Milos Kerkez (Bournemouth) – Kerkez delivered a stellar performance for Bournemouth in their 2-1 win over Manchester City. With 2 assists and a near-perfect passing record, he was crucial in driving Bournemouth’s attack. Kerkez’s combination of vision and precision proved vital in securing the win.

Attacking Midfielder: Facundo Buonanotte (Leicester City)

Buonanotte was the creative spark Leicester needed in their 1-1 draw with Ipswich. He was the source of a big scoring chance and held a high passing accuracy, completing 28 of 30 passes. His 2 shots on target reflected his attacking intent, making him a constant threat throughout the game.

Forwards: Kwadwo Baah and Dane Scarlett

• Kwadwo Baah (Watford) – Baah played a key role in Watford's 6-2 victory over Sheffield Wednesday. In addition to helping out, he won five of his eight ground battles, demonstrating his strength and ability to generate opportunities. Watford was able to dominate thanks to his inventiveness and work rate.
• Dane Scarlett (Oxford United) – Scarlett's influence that won the game was the weekend's high point. Oxford defeated Swansea 2-1 after he came on as a late substitution and scored the game-winning goal in the 88th minute. Even though he only played 31 minutes, Scarlett scored a goal because to his superb timing and location.