It feels Premier League players are getting younger and younger, doesn’t it?
At just 21, Trent Alexander-Arnold is already viewed as the best right-back in world football, while the likes of Mason Greenwood (18), Bukayo Saka (18), Callum Hudson-Odoi (19) and Phil Foden (20) all play on a weekly basis for some of the biggest clubs in the country.
There is a seemingly never-ending conveyor belt of young talent coming through every season, and this year is no different. Instead of looking at the familiar names, let’s check out five young players who are set for a breakthrough 2020/21 campaign in England’s top flight but have never previously made a Premier League appearance.
Following low-key loan spells with Newport County and Peterborough United, Ben White joined Leeds on a season-long loan last season. The defender ended up starting every single Championship game for Marcelo Bielsa’s side and played a pivotal role in guiding the Whites to the second-tier title.
The 22-year-old is the perfect modern-day centre-back, with Bielsa also using him as a defensive midfielder at times last term. He is quick, confident on the ball, and his marauding runs turn defence into attack in a heartbeat.
Brighton already have a number of top-quality centre-backs – Lewis Dunk, Adam Webster, Shane Duffy, Joel Veltman – but White will surely be pushing for a place in Graham Potter’s starting XI in 2020/21.
William Saliba could be exactly what Arsenal need right now. The Gunners’ defensive problems have been clear for all to see over the past few years. But at just 19, Saliba already looks like the kind of player who can shore up Mikel Arteta’s backline.
The France U20 international was signed from St-Etienne last season but was immediately sent back to his old club for the 2019/20 campaign. However, after watching the likes of David Luiz, Shkodran Mustafi and Sokratis last term, he will almost certainly come straight into Arsenal’s lineup.
Not only is the young centre-back strong is the air, but he is also comfortable with the ball at his feet. Furthermore, his pace and tackling make him extremely difficult to dribble past.
Having made a name for himself in England’s lower divisions, Eberechi Eze is ready for the big time. The attacking midfielder started every league game for QPR last season, racking up a hugely impressive 14 goals and eight assists along the way, before joining Crystal Palace in a £19.5m deal.
Eze’s strongest attribute is his dribbling. The 22-year-old is able to carry the ball past players with ease, either straight through the middle or out wide. He is also known for scoring long-range goals, and let’s be honest, Palace desperately need a goalscorer.
Luke Matheson rose to fame when he scored for Rochdale against Manchester United in the ELF Cup last year. Remarkably, the young right-back was still in high school back then, but Wolves signed him in the winter transfer window and loaned him back to Rochdale for the remainder of the campaign.
Of course, the step-up from League One to the Premier League is colossal. But it feels like the England U18 international is ready to prove himself at the highest level. He doesn’t turn 18 until October, but Matheson is definitely worth keeping an eye during the upcoming season.
According to Transfermarkt, Ferran Torres’ market value is £40.50m. So, when Manchester City signed the 20-year-old from Valencia for just over £20m, it’s fair to say that plenty of eyebrows were raised.
The winger enjoyed an excellent breakthrough 2019/20 campaign at the Mestalla, notching up four goals and five assists in La Liga, as well as contributing two goals and two assists in six Champions League games last term.
Granted, Man City already boast a multitude of wingers, with Raheem Sterling, Bernardo Silva and Riyad Mahrez all world-class options in that area. However, Torres has already proved that he is ready to fight for a place in Pep Guardiola’s side.