Keane named in Europe’s top 10

Burnley’s Michael Keane has been rated as one of the best young centre backs in Europe.

The former Manchester United defender was listed eighth in the top 10 of Under 23 central defenders on the continent, in a study undertaken by Swiss company CIES Football Observatory.

The ratings are based on rigour, recovery, distribution, take on, chance creation and shooting.

The list was topped by Keane’s former United teammate Phil Jones, with Jose Giminez of Atletico Madrid second, and Real Madrid’s young French star Raphael Varane third.

Lazio’s Stefan Vrij was fourth, just ahead of Marquinhos Aoas of PSG, sixth was Tin Jedvaj of Bayer Leverkusen, with Niklas Sule of Hoffenheim seventh.

Keane, Aston Villa’s Jores Okore and Shkodran Mustafi of Valencia make up the top 10.