Ones to Watch: Ranking the Premier League’s Top 10 Young Talents for the 20/21 Season

A look at the top 10 talents under 22 that are taking the league by storm.

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10. Billy Gilmour

On loan from Chelsea, the “Scottish Iniesta” is primed for a breakout season with newly promoted Norwich City. Liverpool F.C. manager Jürgen Klopp has heaped high praise on the player, stating recently that Gilmour is one of the most exciting Scottish prospects of “the last 50 years.” Slick on the ball, with vision and maturity well beyond his age, the young midfielder will play a vital part in Norwich’s battle against relegation this season.

Notable Attributes: Vision, Long Passing, Decision-Making

9. Curtis Jones

Fellow academy graduate Harvey Elliott’s serious leg injury over the weekend means that homegrown talent Curtis Jones will likely find himself close to the starting eleven again. With a breakout season in the 20/21 campaign, Jones had several memorable performances in the season, and most notably scored an incredible curler against rivals Everton in the Third Round of the F.A. Cup in January of 2020. With quick passes and quicker feet, Jones will play a key role as a creative link in Liverpool’s midfield.

Notable Attributes: Dribbling, Short Passing, Ball Progression

8. Reece James

The young Englishman has risen quickly through the ranks at Chelsea. Under previous manager Frank Lampard, James became the club’s youngest Champions League goalscorer in the 19/20 season, and has put in impressive performances since. For Chelsea, James continues to be one of the first names on the team sheet, and his well-roundedness has become a major asset for the team. Solid in defense in consistently influential in attack, James has become an exciting prospect at Stamford Bridge, earning high praise from both England’s Gareth Southgate and Chelsea’s current manager Thomas Tuchel.

Notable Attributes: Versatility, Tackling, Crossing

7. Ferran Torres

Having played in La Liga most of his career, Ferran Torres adapted seamlessly to the Premier League after his transfer to Manchester City last year. Ferran Torres impressed for Man City last season, earning the Club’s Goal of the Season award for a spectacular acrobatic effort against Newcastle and played a key role for Spain at the 2020 Euros. A prolific finisher with incredible pace, Torres possesses the ability to play on the wings or through the middle, and will look to claim his spot in the Man City starting 11 this season.

Notable Attributes: Pace, Finishing, Work-rate

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6. Bukayo Saka

To say Arsenal have underperform recently would be a massive understatement. Still, Arsenal possess an exciting core group of youngsters, the most promising of which is Bukayo Saka. Having missed the crucial penalty for England in the Euro Final against Italy, Saka will be itching to prove his worth once again. Possessing the ability to play in defense, midfield, or attack, Saka is oftentimes the main man pulling the strings creatively for Arsenal. His attacking prowess and footballing intelligence will be crucial for the North London side if they are to break into the top 6.

Notable Attributes: Dribbling, Finishing, Intelligence

5. Mason Mount

An essential part of the Chelsea F.C. squad for the past two seasons, Mason Mount has shown the maturity and consistency of a Premier League veteran while still being only 22 years of age. Incredibly strong on and skillful on the ball, Mount is a natural workaholic in the Chelsea midfield and has provided 13 goals and 10 assists over the last two seasons at the club. The wonder-kid has become a fan-favorite, and will strive to replicate his best performances during this current Premier League season.

Notable Attributes: Dribbling, Passing, Work-rate

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4. Phil Foden

Phil Foden continues to be thought of as one of the brightest talents out of England in the last few decades. Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola famously claimed that Foden was the most talented player he had ever seen as a manager, drawing comparisons to Lionel Messi. Incredibly skillful and agile on the ball, Foden is an attacking threat every time he sets foot on the pitch. He was awarded PFA young player of the year for the previous season, scoring 16 goals in 50 appearances for Man City, and will look to replicate his high-flying form during the 20/21 season.

Notable Attributes: Ball Progression, Dribbling, Creativity

3. Jadon Sancho

Having been continually linked with Premier League giants Manchester United, Jadon Sancho’s transfer from Borussia Dortmund did not come as a surprise. Now, he has his chance to shine. Perhaps the best dribbler in all of the Bundesliga in the last few years, Sancho’s possesses a natural gift for beating a defender one on one. While he has had a slow start so far for Manchester United, Sancho’s undeniable ability and talent on the ball will surely propel him into form as the season wears on. With United’s deep attacking depth and a variety of options up front, Sancho will be eager to claim his place in the starting line-up.

Notable Attributes: Dribbling, Pace, Flair

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2. Mason Greenwood

Mason Greenwood is widely considered Manchester United’s best natural finisher since Robin van Persie. Still only 19 years of age, Greenwood has already netted 20 goals in 69 senior appearances for the club. Often displacing big names such as Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford, and Edison Cavani in the starting line-up, Greenwood has certainly earned his minutes for United. Although he did not hit the levels of his breakout year in this past 20/21 season, Greenwood’s potential is seemingly infinite, and his natural gift for finding space paired with his ability to find the back of the net will likely propel him to the very top of the sport.

Notable Attributes: Two-footedness, Finishing, Positioning

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1. Trent Alexander-Arnold

There is little to be said about local Scouser Trent Alexander-Arnold that has not already been said before. One of the brightest talents to come out the Liverpool F.C. academy, the youngster was receiving high praise in Steven Gerrard’s autobiography when he was just only a young teenager. Still only 22 years of age, Alexander-Arnold remains one of the most skillful passers of the ball that the sport has ever seen. He has continually been the essential creative spark for a very successful Liverpool F.C. side over the last few years, and only seems to be getting better. With a wand of a right foot and vision well beyond his years, Alexander-Arnold has already won both the Champions League and Premier League with his boyhood club, and will look to add to his trophy cabinet this season.

Notable Attributes: Crossing, Set Pieces, Vision

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