As the Germany 2. Bundesliga 2025/26 season unfolds, a new wave of young talents is making a name for themselves across the league. From commanding defenders to dynamic forwards, these players are proving their worth with standout performances and impressive data-driven contributions. Using advanced performance metrics, we break down their impact, strengths, and potential, giving a data-driven perspective on why these rising stars are ones to watch. Let’s dive into the numbers and uncover what makes them stand out in Germany 2. Bundesliga.
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“Rising Star” 4 Best U23 Players Germany 2. Bundesliga 2025/26 Season So Far
Mattes Hansen (‘04) (CB) – Paderborn
Mattes Hansen‘s CompaGPT Parameters League Defensive report:
Mattes Hansen achieved the top ranking in ball recoveries, averaging 15.25 per match, surpassing Leandro Morgalla’s 12.13. This indicates Hansen’s exceptional ability to regain possession, a critical skill for disrupting opposition play and initiating counter-attacks. His proficiency in recovering the ball in both own half (10.75 average per match) and opponent half (4.38 average per match) further emphasizes his versatility and spatial awareness, offering tactical flexibility to either consolidate defensive structures or support offensive transitions. Hansen leads the league with 7.25 interceptions per match, ahead of Maximilian Dietz’s 5.4. His ability to anticipate and cut off opposition passes showcases his intelligence and reading of the game, making him a pivotal figure in intercepting threats before they develop. His positioning allows for quick possession changes, crucial for defensive solidity and counter-attacking opportunities.
Mattes Hansen’s strengths are prominently reflected in his top rankings for ball recoveries, interceptions, counterpressing recoveries, defensive actions, and successful defensive actions. These attributes highlight his defensive prowess, positioning him as a key player in breaking down opposition attacks and initiating counter-attacks. His weaknesses, notably in ball losses and shot blocking, suggest areas for tactical refinement to enhance his overall defensive impact and reliability.
Mattes Hansen (‘04) (CB) – Paderborn
David Herold (‘03) (LB) – Karlsruher SC
David Herold‘s CompaGPT Parameters League Offensive report:
David Herold demonstrated exceptional playmaking abilities with 0.27 assists per match, ranking 1st among 21 left-backs in the league. He outperformed the next best player, Luca Bolay, who managed 0.2 assists per match. This indicates Herold’s proficiency in setting up goal-scoring opportunities, making him a valuable asset for offensive tactics, particularly in situations requiring precise crosses or key passes from the flanks. Herold’s dribbling was a standout aspect of his game, with 5 dribbles per match, leading the category against players like Berkay Yilmaz, who averaged 4.36. His successful dribble rate of 3.36 per match further cements his ability to maneuver past defenders effectively. Such skills are crucial for breaking through defensive lines and creating space in wide areas, enhancing the team’s attacking depth. With 2.09 touches in the box per match, Herold led the rankings, indicating his active participation in attacking plays and ability to support forward movements effectively. His presence in the box can be leveraged for quick interplay and to exploit defensive lapses.
David Herold’s most notable strengths lie in his playmaking and dribbling abilities, with top rankings in assists and dribbles, especially in the final third of the pitch. His active participation in offensive actions, such as touches in the box and shot assists, further highlights his value in attacking scenarios. While goal-scoring is a weaker aspect of his profile, focusing on improving his shooting accuracy and positioning could enhance his overall offensive impact..
David Herold (‘03) (LB) – Karlsruher SC
Bambasé Conté (‘03) (AMF) – Elversberg
Bambasé Conté‘s CompaGPT Parameters League Offensive report:
Conté leads in both expected goals and assists, with averages of 0.32 and 0.3 per match, respectively. These figures surpass the closest competitors, Jonas Therkelsen (0.3 xG) and Mehmet Aydin (0.2 assists). This indicates Conté’s capability to both score and set up goals consistently, making him a dual threat in offensive play. Tactically, this suggests utilizing Conté as a focal point in attacking strategies, capitalizing on his ability to convert opportunities and facilitate scoring chances. With an average of 3.3 progressive runs per match, Conté tops this category, outpacing Laurin Ulrich (3.08). Progressive runs reflect a player’s ability to advance the ball and penetrate defensive lines, which is crucial for creating attacking momentum. Conté’s proficiency in this area suggests deploying him in roles that require dynamic movement and transitional play.
Bambasé Conté’s standout performance in expected goals, assists, shot assists, progressive runs, and offensive actions underscores his impactful presence in the attacking midfield role. These strengths suggest deploying him in central and advanced positions where he can exploit his scoring and playmaking abilities. While his conversion rate and dribbling efficiency present areas for refinement, addressing these could further elevate his offensive contributions and overall effectiveness on the pitch.
Bambasé Conté (‘03) (AMF) – Elversberg
Younes Ebnoutalib (‘03) (CF) – Elversberg
Younes Ebnoutalib‘s CompaGPT Parameters League Offensive report:
Ebnoutalib ranks first with an impressive 0.75 goals per match, compared to the second-best Noel Futkeu who scores 0.6. This indicates Ebnoutalib’s proficiency in converting opportunities into goals, making him a crucial asset in offensive tactics, especially in scenarios where reliable scoring is essential. Ebnoutalib also leads in expected goals with 0.54 average per match, surpassing Futkeu’s 0.45. His high xG suggests he consistently positions himself in advantageous scoring opportunities, which can be leveraged to structure offensive plays around his ability to find high-quality chances. With 2.42 shots and 1.25 shots on target per match, Ebnoutalib not only attempts shots frequently but maintains accuracy, ranking first among his peers. This highlights his aggressive attacking style, which can be pivotal in pressing defenses and creating scoring threats. Ebnoutalib’s leading average of 3.92 touches in the box per match underscores his presence in critical scoring areas, allowing him to capitalize on close-range opportunities. His ability to navigate and exploit the penalty area is a significant tactical advantage in offensive buildups.
Younes Ebnoutalib’s strengths lie predominantly in scoring, positioning, and shot accuracy, where he consistently ranks at the top among young center forwards in the league. His ability to convert opportunities into goals and maintain a high presence in the box makes him a key offensive player. However, there are areas for improvement in playmaking, dribbling, and ball progression that could enhance his versatility and overall contribution to team dynamics. By focusing on these weaknesses, Ebnoutalib might develop into an even more complete forward, offering both scoring and creative support in attacking plays.
Younes Ebnoutalib (‘03) (CF) – Elversberg
