According to the Soccerex 20 Football Value Index, Manchester United winger Memphis Depay is the third most valuable player in Europe under the age of 21. His teammate, Left back Luke Shaw ranks 9th on this designation.
“Combining all the factors, we came up with (Raheem) Sterling as the most valuable,” the study’s author Esteve Calzada said.
The study, featured in an article published by BBC Sport, analyzes all players under the age of 21 currently with a professional club in Europe. According to the BBC:
“It determines their value based on their age, position, club, contract length, market value perception, international caps, minutes played, goals, injuries and technical quality.”
With this mind, you can truly appreciate Depay’s comments to the media today:
“I am very hungry. I want to be a legend at one time in history”
“But the important thing to do for me is to focus on the next game, not to be that far in my head because I have to do my job in every game.
“Maybe one time I can be a legend. Of course it is an honour to have that positive sound from the fans and the legends that talk about me. I am grateful for that.”
Depay, the first of four to be purchased by Ed Woodward, Louis van Gaal and company this transfer window, was given a valuation of £23.8 million. He was introduced as a member of the team on May 7th; having finished a stellar season with PSV Eindhoven in which he led the Dutch Eredivisie in scoring and his side to the league title.
Shaw, who signed the richest contract in British history for a teenager, was rated out at £18 million by the study.
In addition to Shaw, Sterling and Depay, two other Premier League players made the list’s top 20.
John Stones of Everton was 16th and Calum Chambers was 19th.
Paul M. Banks owns, operates and writes The Sports Bank.net, which is part of the FOX Sports Engage Network. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes to the Chicago Tribune RedEye edition. He also appears regularly on numerous talk radio stations all across the country.
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