Ranking Premier League youngsters is tough. I wanted to start by saying that.
Some struggle for minutes at big clubs and their form comes and goes, others are extremely talented and play regularly for midtable teams so we don’t watch them as often, while a handful are just absolute superstars who are already known across the globe.
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With that in mind, and ahead of the 2020-21 season kicking off on September 12, now seemed like a good time to rank the top young talents you need to watch closely this season.
The concept here is very simple: who are the best players in the Premier League aged under 23?
If they are 22, they’re eligible. If they’re 23 years old, sorry, you should be well on your way to being a superstar by now so you’re in with the big boys. Sounds harsh, but it’s true. Sorry, James Maddison, Youri Tielemans, Joe Gomez and Richarlison, you’ve just missed out after reaching the ripe old age of 23 in recent months.
Below is the top 20 ranking Premier League youngsters aged 22 or under, which I’m 100 percent certain you will all agree on. That’s how these things work, right!?
Ranking Premier League youngsters: 22 years old or younger
1. Marcus Rashford (Age: 22. Club: Manchester United) - Scores goals, amazing skill/speed. Consistently brilliant.
2. Trent Alexander-Arnold (Age: 21. Club: Liverpool) - So close to first. Gamechanger from right back.
3. Christian Pulisic (Age: 21. Club: Chelsea) - USMNT star who surged in second half of his debut PL season.
4. Mason Greenwood (Age: 18. Club: Manchester United) - Another who burst onto the scene late in 2020-21. Unreal finisher.
5. Phil Foden (Age: 20. Club: Manchester City) - Ready to take over from David Silva and his silky skills will lead England.
(COMBO) This combination of file pictures created on August 25, 2020, shows (L-R) Leeds United’s English midfielder Kalvin Phillips running with the ball during the English FA Cup third round football match between Arsenal and Leeds United at The Emirates Stadium in London on January 6, 2020. Manchester United’s English striker Mason Greenwood scoring their fourth goal during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Norwich City at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on January 11, 2020. Manchester City’s English midfielder Phil Foden controling the ball during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Everton at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on January 1, 2020. - England manager Gareth Southgate announced first call-ups, August 25, for talented youngsters Phil Foden, Mason Greenwood and Kalvin Phillips for England’s squad to face Iceland in Reykjavik on September 5 before playing Denmark in Copenhagen on September 8. (Photo by AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / XGTY (Photo by OLI SCARFF,PAUL ELLIS,ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)
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6. Bukayo Saka (Age: 18. Club: Arsenal) - Wonderful talent. A winger who excelled at left back, still a little raw, but very impactful.
7. Declan Rice (Age: 21. Club: West Ham) - Seems like a wise old head now. Dominant as holding midfielder. Can play CB too.
8. Ferran Torres (Age: 20. Club: Manchester City) - Winger is new to PL but has lit it up in Spain at Valencia. Huge potential.
9. Mason Mount (Age: 21. Club: Chelsea) - Not everyone’s cup of tea, but key in securing a top four finish. Underrated.
10. Dwight McNeil (Age: 20. Club: Burnley) - Amazing deliveries from left wing and drifted inside effortlessly in breakout season.
11. Billy Gilmour (Age: 19. Club: Chelsea) - “Scottish Iniesta” is slight but skillfull. Slotted in seamlessly in CM.
12. Steven Bergwijn (Age: 22. Club: Tottenham) - Scored some big goals and is learning the ropes in England. Direct running is scary.
13. Gabriel Martinelli (Age: 19. Club: Arsenal) - So unlucky with a big injury. A real poacher who leads the line. Complete striker.
14. Tammy Abraham (Age: 22. Club: Chelsea) - Started season on fire, then cooled down. Otherwise, he’d be higher up this list.
15. Eddie Nketiah (Age: 21. Club: Arsenal) - Came back from loan and took his chance. Kept Lacaztte out of the team. Poacher.
Arsenal’s Brazilian striker Gabriel Martinelli (R) celebrates scoring their first goal to equalise 1-1 with Arsenal’s English striker Bukayo Saka (L) during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge in London on January 21, 2020. (Photo by DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP via Getty Images)
AFP via Getty Images
16. Reece James (Age: 20. Club: Chelsea) - Bulldozes his way up the right flank. Still so young but so mature.
17. Aaron Wan-Bissaka (Age: 22. Club: Manchester United) - Has added quality going forward to his supreme defensive game at RB.
18. Aaron Ramsdale (Age: 22. Club: Sheffield United) - Did all he could to keep Bournemouth up, and will be key for the Blades. Solid.
19. Curtis Jones (Age: 19. Club: Liverpool) - Knocking on the door at Anfield and always impresses when he gets a chance. Big season.
20. Callum Hudson-Odoi (Age: 19. Club: Chelsea) - Injuries knocked him back last season, but the winger has huge potential.
Honorable mention: Reiss Nelson, Joe Willock, Eric Garcia, Brandon Williams, Neco Williams, Ebere Eze, Will Smallbone, Aaron Connolly, Harvey Elliott, Sepp van den Berg, Fikayo Tomori, Mohammed Salisu, Anthony Gordon.
