'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#3 Pedri (Barcelona)
Pedri is one of the most famous players to have come out of Barcelona's famed La Masia academy in recent years.
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The player, who has just turned 18, has already scored in La Liga and the Champions League in what has been a difficult season for the club under new manager Ronald Koeman.
Nevertheless, Pedri's performances have already earned the player comparisons with a certain Lionel Messi. The 18-year-old attacking midfielder has already played the most games by a Barcelona player this season, and it's not surprising to see why.
The player's versatility and tactical flexibility allow Koeman to deploy him on either wing, as a centre-forward, in attacking midfield and also as the pivot in a two-man defensive shield!
Pedri has managed to usurp the likes of Sergio Busquets, Miralem Pjanic and Carles Alena under Ronald Koeman. Needless to say, he has impressed one and all with prowess on the ball and his ability to dictate the tempo of his team's play despite his young years.
Touted as a generational talent, Pedri might just be the new Lionel Messi Ronald Koeman has helped unearth. Unsurprisingly, the Dutch tactician has waxed lyrical about the player he apparently doesn't know 'too well':
"I knew Barca had signed him from Las Palmas, and I had seen tape of him, but I don’t think anyone expected the rapidity of his development since joining – playing and training with the best players at Barça aged just 17, delivering such high levels of performances.”
#2 Reece James (Chelsea)
Reece James has quickly evolved into one of Chelsea's defensive lynchpins since making his Premier League debut under Frank Lampard last season.
The 21-year-old player is arguably one of the best right-backs in England even though he doesn't produce as many assists as a certain Trent Alexander-Arnold.
James is seldom fazed while facing some of the best attackers in the game; his crossing ability is nothing short of imperious, to say the least, and he can score absolute piledrivers!
Besides, his versatility is another feather in his cap: James can also play as a right wing-back or even as a defensive midfielder.
In 2020-21, the young full-back has already scored and assisted a goal apiece in the Premier League. He has also impressed in the Champions League. But it is in the defensive third where he has furthered his burgeoning reputation.
It's no wonder that Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has tipped James to have a long and successful career at the club, saying in this regard:
“His progress is phenomenal. When he played at Wigan in the Championship, I watched him closely and tried to take him to Derby in that January window, but it didn’t happen. I’ve always been a big fan of his natural talent. There are things he’ll want to improve on his game, and that I think he can improve on his game.
#1 Curtis Jones (Liverpool)
Curtis Jones impressed in his maiden Premier League season in 2019-20, scoring a goal in six appearances to play a small part in Liverpool winning their first English league title in three decades.
This season, the 19-year-old midfielder has already benefitted from increased game-time, having made five appearances in the Premier League and four in the Champions League, impressing fans and critics alike with his performances.
Against Ajax, the player scored the winner to seal Liverpool's berth in the Round of 16 of the Champions League. In the process, Jones became the third-youngest goal-scorer for the club in the competition.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp recently said about the player:
"Curtis, I have to say is just a proper, proper part of this squad, which is really already an achievement, if you want. Nothing you want to tell your grandkids (about), because if it's the best thing you ever did in your life, it's not so nice. But for the age group he is in, it's massive."
