Most Improved U21 defenders This Season in 2. Bundesliga

At a glance

M. Ayhan of FC Schalke 04 is the standout for raw talent across U21 defenders in 2. Bundesliga, with a Field Insider Rating of 67.3, and Mika Haas leads the scoring with 2 goals.

The numbers a scout watches are the year-on-year jumps: Rafael Pinto Pedrosa has improved his Season rating most, up +7.4 on last season, while Lukas Reich's scouting Rating has risen fastest, +13.2 over the same span. Those are the players whose trajectory is bending upward fastest.

By our market-value index, Vitalie Becker of FC Schalke 04 is the most valuable name in this group at 22.5.

Best talent

M. Ayhan67.3RTG

FC Schalke 04

In form

M. Ayhan41.2SsN

FC Schalke 04

Rising potential

Lukas Reich+13.2RTG

SpVgg Greuther Fürth · 24/25→25/26

Most improved

Rafael Pinto Pedrosa+7.4SsN

Karlsruher SC · 24/25→25/26

Top scorer

Mika Haas2goals

1. FC Kaiserslautern

Most valuable

Vitalie Becker22.5val

FC Schalke 04