Premier League: Current best U-23 star for each of the Top 6 teams

The season has crossed its halfway point, with Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham and Arsenal occupying the Top 6 spots.

With the spots occupied by the traditional 'Top 6' at this point, let's take a look at the best young stars building their reputation at the ranks of the top 6 clubs.

This evaluation will consider only performances during the course of the current season, and only players aged 23 or below are under the microscope:

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#6 Arsenal - Hector Bellerin

Hector Bellerin has been good in patches this season, but has been Arsenal's best U-23 player

Age: 22

In what has been a very disappointing season for the Gunners so far, Hector Bellerin has been one of the rare shining lights offering some hope for the future. Bellerin, already an established Premier League star, has improved his consistency and is a regular feature in the Arsenal team sheet, occupying the right wing back slot in Wenger's 5-man backline.

The Spanish speedster has recorded 2 goals and 2 assists so far this Premier League season, and has been defensively solid, if not spectacular.

The former Barcelona youth product has considerably improved on his defensive work and provides a sense of stability in the Arsenal back line.

Alongside compatriot Nacho Monreal and the Bosnian bulldozer Sead Kolasinac, Bellerin forms part of a talented backline on paper who haven't been able to put forward performances of the expected level due to injuries and tactical issues.

Bellerin stands a good chance of making it into the Spanish Armada, heading into the World Cup at Russia if he continues his good run of form, with Dani Carvajal and Juanfran, his competitors for the Spanish right-back role, both not enjoying particularly impressive seasons at their respective sides.

Other eligible players: Alex Iwobi, Rob Holding, Ainsley Maitland-Niles.

#5 Tottenham Hotspur - Davinson Sanchez

Davinson Sanchez has performed better than the likes of Dele Alli

Age: 21

Walking into the backline of any Premier League team is a tough task. But walking into what was arguably the best defensive unit of the 2016-17 season at the tender age of 21, is what Davinson Sanchez pulled off after his €40 million switch from Ajax to Tottenham.

An absolute colossus of a defender, Sanchez is aerially supreme, extremely quick and is an excellent tackler. He is good at playing the ball from behind and has been very impressive with his reading of the game.

He has been brilliant in Pocchetino's 4 and 5 man backlines and has been an absolute revelation at Tottenham. A Columbian international, Sanchez had earned his move to Tottenham following a solitary season at Ajax.

His rapid rise to the top is no surprise, and under the tutelage of one of Mauricio Pocchetino, a fine centre-back in his day, Sanchez will only continue to grow in stature. We are looking at a future world beater in this player who has taken to one of the toughest leagues in the world like a fish to water.

Davinson Sanchez will hone his game further playing alongside two of the Premier League's finest, in Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen, and if all goes to play, he could be part of the furniture at this youthful Tottenham revolution for some time to come.

Other eligible players: Dele Alli, Harry Winks, Eric Dier.

#4 Chelsea - Andreas Christensen

Andreas Christensen has been solid at the back for Chelsea

Age: 21

Another defender who has caught the eye this season, Chelsea's Andreas Christensen has been one of the rare exceptions to have made the cut at Chelsea after being sent out on loan as part of Chelsea's infamous 'loan army'.

2 seasons at the top tier in Germany seem to have helped shape the young Dane into one of the brightest defensive prospects across the world.

Christensen has been solid and often plays at the heart of Chelsea's back three. His reading of the game and his exceptional distribution of the ball and composure even when piled under pressure have been very impressive.

The 21-year-old Dane has also become a mainstay in the Danish national team and was part of a major chunk of what was a successful World Cup qualifying campaign for Denmark.

Experienced and mature above his age, Christensen is a confident centre-back and has been a key part of Conte's defensive force. His performances have reportedly caught the eye of Barcelona, who rate him in high stead and believe that he is a perfect fit for the Barcelona style of play.

Who knows? Chelsea might just have found their long-term successor to John Terry in this one.

Other eligible players: Tiemoue Bakayoko, Ethan Ampadu, Kenedy, Charly Musonda.

#3 Liverpool - Trent Alexander-Arnold

Trent Alexander-Arnold has grabbed attention with his performances for Liverpool

Age: 19

One of the most exciting prospects in English football, Trent Alexander-Arnold's rise to the top has been nothing but phenomenal. Still only 19, Alexander-Arnold has been excellent and has risen to the occasion whenever called upon.

In the absence of the experienced Nathaniel Clyne, Klopp entrusted the duty of the right flank to the two youngsters, Joe Gomez and Alexander-Arnold, and can have more than reason to cheer with both the youngsters proving to live up to the hype stamped on them.

The Englishman is an excellent crosser of the ball and is a tenacious presence. His work rate and his attempts at getting forward with the ball and starting off attacks has been remarkable. His freekick goal against Hoffenheim in the Champions League qualification match was an announcement of his breaking out to the footballing world.

This youngster's name is going to be there at the top level for quite a while to come if his performances this season are anything to go by. Along with Ben Woodburn and Ryan Kent, Alexander-Arnold's ascent to the top also marks the end of a dry spell in the production of talent from the famous Liverpool Academy.

A new wind on the right side for Liverpool for the years to come. Watch out for this one!

Other eligible players: Joe Gomez, Ben Woodburn, Andrew Robertson, Dominic Solanke.

#2 Manchester United - Anthony Martial

Anthony Martial has been in red-hot form this season

Age: 22

One of the most skilful footballers plying their trade in the Premier League at the moment, Anthony Martial has been really influential for Jose Mourinho's side as they pursue a good finish and hope to continue their run in the UEFA Champions League as well.

Winner of the 2015 Golden Boy award, Martial was one of the best things that came out of Louis van Gaal's torrid spell at United.

Even though it took time for Martial to establish himself in Jose Mourinho's plans, the Frenchman has overcome the frustrations of last season and has been a healthy contributor to the United cause with 11 goals and 6 assists across all competitions, till date.

Despite the fact that his appearances have mostly been restricted to cameos, Martial has been very influential and his vast skill set has been a huge asset for United. His flashy dribbles and excellent long-range shooting have been of great service for United, especially in crunch, goal-tight situations.

His season so far already has enough moments of flair to build a good highlight reel, with his dummy that left Mame Biram Diouf flat-footed being one of the skill moves of the season.

The former Monaco product will look to continue his good performances and will strive hard to claim as many minutes as he can with the World Cup approaching, and with France boasting a quiver of super-talented attackers.

Other eligible players: Eric Bailly, Marcus Rashford, Victor Lindelof, Luke Shaw.

#1 Manchester City - Raheem Sterling

Raheem Sterling has been unstoppable this season

Age: 23

What a turnaround this one has been. The Golden boy has finally delivered. After months of ridicule following his big-money move from Liverpool to Manchester City and the pressure of the price tag mounted on him, Raheem Sterling has finally found top form and he has been electric this season.

The 2014 Golden Boy award winner for the best U-21 footballer in the world, Raheem Sterling was always touted for greatness, but it took a lot of waiting to finally see what a finished product would look like.

Pep Guardiola has worked his magic on yet another young attacker and similar to the transformation we are observing in Leroy Sane on the other flank, Sterling's development into what he has been this season has also been nothing short of phenomenal.

Notably, the Englishman has already scored 19 goals and has assisted 4 more across all competitions this season.

Sterling has added that final bit to his game that was missing. To his blistering pace and unpredictability, he has now added a steady end product too, making him one of the deadliest propositions on the table for any defender.

His movement and darting runs into the box, complemented by the creative genius of Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva, have been crucial in City's high flying run in the Premier League so far. His knack for being at the right place at the right time have served the City cause well, with his winner against Huddersfield being an example of the same.

If he continues his blistering run of form, he might just be the spark that ignites the English National Team at the World Cup as well. Along with the likes of Harry Kane, Dele Alli, and Marcus Rashford, it does look like the attacking department for England at the World Cup is in good hands.