The best U21 XI in European football was named in 2012 - where are they now?

In 2012, the best under-21 XI in European football was named by Bleacher Report.

10 years have now passed and all the players that featured should now be in their prime.

But have they fulfilled their potential?

We’ve listed the players that were listed in the XI and looked at where they are now below.

GK: Wojciech Szczęsny

Where were they in 2012? ArsenalWhere are they in 2022? Juventus

Szczęsny’s form fluctuated at Arsenal. He has thrived since joining Juventus in 2017. He has played 177 times for The Old Lady in the last five seasons.

CB: Kyriakos Papadopoulos

Where were they in 2012? Schalke 04Where are they in 2022? Unattached

It’s fair to say that Papadopoulos has not fulfilled his lofty potential. A few serious injuries at the start of his career curtailed his progress. He is now looking for a new club after spending the 2021/22 season at Greek outfit, Atromitos.

CB: Mamadou Sakho

Where were they in 2012? Paris Saint-GermainWhere are they in 2022? Montpellier

Sakho played 201 times for PSG before making the £18 million move to Liverpool in 2013. After an erratic spell at Liverpool he joined Crystal Palace in a permanent deal in 2017. He joined Montpellier at the start of the 2021/22 campaign.

CB: Phil Jones

Where were they in 2012? Manchester UnitedWhere are they in 2022? Manchester United

Jones is still at United, although he finds first-team action very hard to come by nowadays. He has only played 13 times for the club over the past three seasons.

DM: Yann M’Vila

Where were they in 2012? RennesWhere are they in 2022? Olympiacos

After leaving Rennes in 2013 ,M’Villa has had stints at Rubin Kazan, Inter Milan, Sunderland, Saint-Etienne and now Olympiacos. He joined the Greek side in 2020 and has helped them to