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The 2019/20 Premier League season is in its second half and leaders Liverpool have shown absolutely no signs of stopping. Jurgen Klopp’s side are a massive 14 points ahead of Manchester City with a game in hand. With the Premier League title now looking like a mere formality, we have a chance to discuss about best young performers in the league.
The PFA Young Player of the Year award is given annually to a Premier League player who, at the start of the season, was aged 23 or less. The winners of this prestigious award include the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Cesc Fabregas, Gareth Bale, Eden Hazard and most recently Raheem Sterling last season. Here, we take a look at some of the most talented young players in England’s top-flight who have taken this season by storm.
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5. Dean Henderson
22-year-old goalkeeper Dean Henderson has been one of the finds of this Premier League season after his inspiring performances for Sheffield United. The Manchester United loanee is one of the key reasons Sheffield boast such an incredible defensive record, having conceded only 21 goals this season. Only Liverpool (14) have let in fewer goals than Dean Henderson and the Blades.
The Englishman won Sheffield’s Young Player of the Year and the Championship’s Golden Glove award following his breakthrough season in England’s second division last year. Many have already touted him as David de Gea’s long-term successor at Old Trafford with some United fans wanting him to fight for the number 1 spot as early as next season. The 29-year-old Spaniard has not been at his prolific best in United's goal having made many uncharacteristic errors leading to goals.
However, still revered and respected as he should be, de Gea has won four out of the last six Manchester United Player of the Year awards and it would not be easy for Henderson to outshine his credentials. However, fans are calling for a huge overhaul in the summer after what has been another underwhelming season at the red half of Manchester. And Dean Henderson would be very much in Ed Woodward’s plans for next season given his age, nationality and world-class potential.
Henderson is not only an excellent shot-stopper but has an elite mentality and attitude even at the age of 22. His recent performance against Liverpool at Anfield and in the 1-0 win against Arsenal are testaments to his ability and mindset. In an interview with MUTV, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was in high praise of Henderson, who joined the Manchester United academy at the age of 14. The Norwegian manager said,
“Sheffield United and Chris Wilder have had a big impact on him. He’s learning and growing as a human being and as a player. He'll come back one day and he'll have a good career at Man United. Dean's done really well for them and Sheffield United has been really good for him.”
Henderson currently has eight clean sheets to his name in the Premier League, more than anyone else and is already a shout for the prestigious Golden Glove. Come May, he will definitely be in the reckoning for the Premier League Young Player of the Year award.
4. James Maddison
Another extremely talented Englishman is Leicester City attacking midfielder James Maddison, who has yet again impressed Premier League pundits and fans with his silky dribbling, beautiful assists and incredible goal-scoring ability. The 23-year-old has been the Foxes’ heartbeat in the centre of midfield, constantly trying to cause trouble when on the ball.
Maddison has scored 6 goals and provided 3 assists in the league this season and has been as important as their talismanic striker Jamie Vardy. Leicester looked in fine form up until December but have had a recent slump, though they still are in a great position to secure Champions League qualification for next season.
The former Norwich player has formed an excellent relationship with manager Brendan Rodgers who ruled out his rumoured move to Manchester United in the January transfer window.
“James is a very talented player, a wonderful player, and he will be here in January and beyond,” the Englishman said. Talks of a new contract are ongoing which could potentially see Maddison staying at the King Power Stadium for the foreseeable future.
“James and his representatives are speaking with the club, which is great. In the meantime, his level hasn't dropped, he's keeping his focus on the game, he's playing his football to a really high level. He's been brilliant,” Rodgers added.
Maddison has provided a league-highest 15 through balls this season, one more than Manchester City’s red-hot Kevin de Bruyne. He also is the 4th-highest cross provider (153) and the fifth-highest in terms of goal-scoring chances created (50) in the division. If he is able to lead the 2015/16 Premier League winners to a top-four spot at the end of the season, James Maddison will not only secure a starting spot in Gareth Southgate’s Euro Championship squad for the summer but should be considered as a serious contender for the Young Player of the Year award.
3. Tammy Abraham
Chelsea have had their significant share of woes with strikers who have donned the #9 shirt. In recent memory, Radamel Falcao, Fernando Torres, Gonzalo Higuain and Alvaro Morata have all worn the infamous shirt and failed to make a significant impact at Stamford Bridge.
When 22-year-old striker Tammy Abraham was entrusted with the responsibility by Frank Lampard at the start of the season, he said,
“I’m honoured to wear the No. 9 at Chelsea. I spoke to the manager and he asked me if I was ready to take it. I said ‘Yeah, I’m ready’. I’m glad he offered it to me. I’ve heard all the rubbish about the No 9, but I’m here to play my game and do my best.”
Abraham did succeed in lifting the curse in superb fashion. The former Aston Villa man has already netted 13 goals in 21 matches in what is his first full Premier League season. Many predicted Chelsea to have a substandard season following their transfer ban, the departure of club legend Eden Hazard to Real Madrid and the appointment of a rather inexperienced Frank Lampard as permanent manager. However, the club’s record scorer has given Chelsea fans an exciting and attacking brand of football, one which has left many surprised.
The Blues still have a lot of catching up to do if they are to compete with the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City, but Lampard’s young guns have definitely shown their metal this season. And Tammy Abraham has been their stand-out performer.
The forward scored 26 goals for Villa in the Championship last season and has continued his form in England’s top-flight this season. Abraham's 13 goals and 3 assists in the Premier League mean that he is only behind Jamie Vardy and Marcus Rashford in terms of goal contributions by a striker this term.
Chelsea fans have been craving for a goal-scoring centre-forward similar to Didier Drogba and Diego Costa since long. And Tammy Abraham, who might not be as fierce as the above-mentioned duo, has a long career ahead in order to make a name for himself among the Stamford Bridge elite.
2. Marcus Rashford
Given Marcus Rashford’s career numbers in terms of Premier League appearances (133), it will come as a shock to many that the Manchester United forward is still only 22 years of age. The Englishman has been absolutely sensational for the Red Devils in the league this season with 14 goals and 4 assists in 22 appearances.
Many were calling out the United bosses to sign a world-class striker in the summer following the departures of Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez to Inter Milan but manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer kept faith in Rashford, who has truly stepped up in attack.
Now in his fifth full season for United, the striker is touted to be a great servant to the club, having joined their academy at the tender age of seven.
He already has 41 Premier League goals for the club and still has a huge career ahead of him. Manchester United have had a rocky campaign, having produced excellent performances in wins against Manchester City and Chelsea but have also lost to the likes of Newcastle, Bournemouth and Watford. Rashford, however, has been a consistent positive for Solskjaer’s side, who has already ousted his career-best Premier League tally of 10 goals.
The PFA Fans' Player of the Month for December has also formed a formidable relationship with Anthony Martial in attack, with the duo often found feeding off each other. The rumoured addition of Sporting Lisbon midfielder Bruno Fernandes could revitalise United’s midfield and provide an outlet for the England international to score more goals in the future. For now, his current form could well and truly earn him the coveted Young Player of the Year award.
1. Trent Alexander-Arnold
Rounding off the list is yet another Englishman, who at the age of 21, has already cemented himself as one of the best right-backs in Premier League history. Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold has been a stalwart in Jurgen Klopp’s defense, but more importantly, one of their most reliable attacking outlets even in a team consisting of Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino.
Alexander-Arnold already has eight assists to his name this season, only behind Manchester City’s Kevin de Bruyne. Under Klopp’s managerial reign, the academy graduate has blossomed into arguably the best right-back in world football right now. He helped Liverpool lift their first Champions League trophy in 14 years last season and is currently aiming to bring home their first domestic league trophy of the Premier League era.
His 12 assists in the Premier League last season saw him pipe Everton pair Andy Hinchcliffe and Leighton Baines, both with 11, to set a record of providing the most assists in a single Premier League campaign. And given his current form, he is all set to improve on that record.
Alexander-Arnold was rewarded with the Premier League Player of the Month for December after his stellar display consisted of 4 assists and a superbly-taken goal against then-second placed Leicester City on Boxing Day. He is arguably one of the best crossers in the league, having delivered 223 of those already this season, 39 ahead of de Bruyne.
The plaudits for Liverpool’s relentless pursuit of a Premier League title have largely gone down to their lethal front-three, however, Trent Alexander-Arnold’s impeccable contribution should, barring any lapses, comfortably earn him the coveted Young Player of the Year award come the end of the season.
Special Mentions
Jack Grealish
Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish has silenced all his doubters and haters with his six goals and five assists this Premier League campaign. Having greatly underwhelmed in the English top-flight five years ago, he has returned as a more mature and determined player. The attacking midfielder, who turned 24 only in September, could be considered as an outside contender for the award if he grows consistency-wise.
Mason Mount
Another Chelsea youngster who has been superb for Frank Lampard is 20-year-old Mason Mount. The Englishman has netted five goals and provided two goals in the Premier League this season, having rightfully earned a national team call-up in September.
Adama Traore
Wolverhampton Wanderers speedster Adama Traore has lit up the Premier League with his electric performances. With 4 goals and 4 assists this term, the 23-year-old has shown the England top-flight that he is more than just his pace.
Emiliano Buendia
The 23-year-old Argentine has been quintessential for Daniel Farke and Norwich City in midfield. The Canaries find themselves rock-bottom in the Premier League but Emi Buendia has been their most consistent performer so far. The fact that he is third in the league in terms of assists (7) and second in the chances created department showcases his world-class potential and talent.
