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The World Cup was a fruitful tournament for young players, as the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Benjamin Pavard, Aleksandr Golovin and Hirving Lozano shined on the big stage.
Ironically, Leroy Sane the best young player in England last season was not even included in the German World Cup squad. However, Sane along with several other youngsters will get the chance to light up the Premier League come August.
The Premier League has proven to be a green pasture for young talents, as the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Michael Owen, and David Beckham gained prominence in England. Last season the likes of Sane, Lewis Cook, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Ben Chilwell enjoyed breakthrough campaigns.
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Numerous youngsters would like to emulate these and take their game to the next level. Doing so would require a huge amount of effort and more importantly, opportunities to display their skills. On that note, here are 5 youngsters to look out for in the Premier League next season.
#5 Lucas Torreira - 22 years (Arsenal)
Arsenal have genuinely lacked a strong midfield presence since like forever. One can say that Patrick Vieira was the last great midfield anchor The Gunners possessed. Arsene Wenger tried to remedy it numerous times, but never quite achieved it wholly.
New coach Unai Emery has taken the mantle, and Torreira was one of the first signings he made. He signed the highly rated Uruguay international from Sampdoria for a reported fee of £25 million.
Torreira impressed in two seasons in the Serie A, managing more tackles and interceptions combined (356) than any other player in the last two seasons in Italy. The diminutive Uruguayan is a hard worker, and he topped the list for possession won in the final third (317 percent) in the last two seasons.
Torreira is a great passer and boasted of an 87.2 percent pass completion rate last season. He should provide cover to Emery's back-line, and provide input going forward as well due to his impressive shooting ability from outside the box.
Adjusting to the pace of the Premier League is bound to take some time, but Torreira will be a guaranteed starter, and can prove to be a bargain for Arsenal.
#4 Demarai Gray - 22 years (Leicester City)
Gray has been with Leicester City for the past three seasons, but has not been able to realise his vast potential. A big factor for this has been Riyad Mahrez, the Algerian has been the main man for The Foxes. However, Mahrez was snapped up by Manchester City recently, and the baton is there for the taking.
Last season Gray made 35 appearances in the league, but more than half of them were from the bench. Despite this - his pace, dribbling ability and skills were plain to see for all. Gray is a tremendously gifted player, and his ability to glide past people due to his lithe frame is beautiful to watch.
Coach Claude Puel praised Gray recently, this suggests that he will become an integral part of the side next season.
Leicester looked to Mahrez and Jamie Vardy for attacking inspiration, and the departure of the former will increase the weight on Gray's shoulders significantly. But he will be up to the task, and it will be an intriguing watch at the King Power Stadium next season.
#3 Callum Hudson-Odoi - 17 years (Chelsea)
Hudson-Odoi is certainly the best product to emerge from Chelsea's academy in a long time, and it is easy to see why.
He was instrumental as Chelsea secured the U18 Premier League in 2017, and won the FA Youth Cup in the last two years. Last week he penned a new deal at Stamford Bridge which could translate into a big signature indeed.
As England won the U17 World Cup in 2017, Hudson-Odoi was a big factor in the squad. His frightening pace and skills are amazing to watch, but his passing ability is a surprise for a young winger. He is capable of spraying long diagonals and through balls when needed.
He turned out for the senior side just four times last season, a number which is bound to increase this time. Willian and Eden Hazard's futures are not certain, and Pedro is on the decline - therefore Hudson-Odoi could be thrust in the team by new boss Maurizio Sarri.
In a recent friendly against Perth Glory, Hudson-Odoi was brilliant, albeit he will face much tougher opposition in the Premier League. At the tender age of 17 he is still to develop physically and mentally, but still he could make an impact next season.
#2 Ruben Neves - 21 years (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Neves took the Championship by storm last season, as Wolves romped to the title. The Portuguese international was signed for a hefty fee, but he definitely repaid that with his virtuoso displays from midfield.
Blessed with great ability, Neves is a box to box midfielder with great promise. He possesses a blinder of a shot, with which he scored six goals last season, all from outside the box. His tackling and passing abilities are commendable as well, and so is his industry.
Still just 21 years of age, Neves has huge scope for improvement, something which coach Nuno has echoed repeatedly. Wolves have landed some major coups in the transfer window like Joao Moutinho and Rui Patricio to add to the likes of Diego Jota, Helder Costa, and others.
Playing with such good players and under Nuno's tutelage, Neves can take his game to the next level come August. Much is expected of Neves and Wolves as they enter the biggest stage of all.
#1 Ryan Sessegnon - 18 years (Fulham)
Sessegnon was voted as the best player in the Championship last season, as his 15 league goals helped Fulham clinch promotion.
He is the first player ever from outside the Premier League to be nominated for the PFA Young Player of the Year award. He's just 18 years of age, scary stuff, isn't it?
He was used at left-back for a large part of last season, but coach Slavisa Jokanovic realised his ability and moved him up the pitch. His ability to ghost into goal scoring positions profited Fulham greatly. Due to his time as a full-back, his crossing is very good as well.
Sessegnon blossomed in Jokanovic's system, and much will be expected of him in the Premier League. That being said, he turned 18 in May and the sky is the limit for him. He recently signed a new contract at Craven Cottage, a decision which is bound to assist his development.
Fulfilling even a part of his vast potential will make headlines next season.
