Top 10 young players in the Premier League this season

After a summer of change, with new managers, new players, expensive signings and new opportunities, it is easy to forget just how many good young players there are currently in the Premier League.The Premier League has never been awash with such great talent as it is now. Clubs have realised the importance of a productive youth academy, making sure the output of graduates is there not just for their own needs, but for the good of football too.

The players on this list have already made quite an impact in the 7 weeks of premier league and have almost cemented their place in their team’s starting XI.

10) Jack Butland (Stoke City)

At just 20-years-old, Jack Butland is already being mentioned as a potential number 1 for England, becoming the youngest ever goalkeeper to play for England when he made his debut in August 2012. He rejected a move to Chelsea in the summer in search of regular playing time on the pitch.What makes him stand out is his composure. Cool, calm and collected, he rarely fluffs his lines and is always in communication with his back four. If Stoke move Asmir Begovic, he will get his chance to shine on the Premier League stage.

9)Luke Shaw (Southampton)

Luke Shaw is another graduate of the Saint’s Academy, following in the footsteps of Theo Walcott andGareth Bale. He made his premier league debut aged just 17, and featured in 25 of Southampton’s league games last season. Shaw reads the game exceptionally well, and is known for his attacking qualities as well as his defensive skills. He is capable of beating a player or two and possesses a vast amount of space. Luke Shaw is a future England international in the making.

8) Matija Nastasi? (Manchester City)

A virtual unknown when Roberto Mancini paid €15 million Euro’s to Fiorentina for his services, the Serbian defender has won himself a number of fans across the country.

Hailed as ‘City’s rock,’ he’s kept the likes of Kolo Toure and Joleon Lescott out of the starting line up. Nastasi? is an extremely quick defender, and has great composure on the ball, as shown by his passing ability.We expect to see much more of the Serbian international this season as he fully comes to grip with football in the Northeast.

7)Nathaniel Clyne (Southampton)

Since signing from Crystal Palace last summer, Clyne has taken his opportunity in the premier league and grabbed it with both hands. He was a key part to Southampton staying up last season, playing 34 out of Southampton’s 38 Premiership matches. Clyne is exceptionally quick, which aids him in both providing runs on the overlap and tracking back. He reads the game well and is a great passer of the ball. His work rate is second-rate, making him a firm favourite with both the fans and the manager.In the 2010–11 season, Clyne was the youngest player in the Football League to play every single game of that campaign, and won the Crystal Palace’s Player of the Year award.

6)James Mcarthy (Everton)

James Mcarthy signed for Everton this summer for a fee of 15 million euros. He joined the camp of his previous manager, Roberto Martinez.One of the best passers of the ball in the league, he holds that awareness to create something from nothing and has been key in Wigan’s past great escapes. A must have for a team looking for a man to distribute the ball and fire in the belly for a scrap.

5) Andros Townsend (Tottenham Hotspurs)

A product of the Spurs academy, Townsend had loan spells with nine different clubs before gaining a regular first team place for Spurs in the 2013–14 season.He has taken the premier league by storm, drawing comparisons with Bayern Munich winger Arjen Robben due to similar playing style. He will be instrumental in Spurs title challenge this season if he can continue his good form till the end.

4)Ross Barkley (Everton)

A well-balanced, ball craving, technical midfielder with a lovely left-foot and eye for a pass. Has been on the verge of the Everton starting 11 for a while now after a few succesful loan spells but this may just be his season after a strong U20 World Cup with England(England’s best player during the tournament). The type of midfield player that England need to develop more of and the type of midifielder that new Everton manager Roberto Martinez will warm to.Many who have watched him closely firmly believe that he will be one of the best players England has ever produced.

3)Jonathan Williams (Crystal Palace)

Wilfred Zaha was undoubtebly Palace’s biggest star last season with his goals, assists and trickery but the fact that Palace fans hold Williams in equal esteem tells you all you need to know about the attacking midfielder’s qualities. Nicknamed “Joniesta” due to his playing style, it will be interesting to see if he can make an impression in the premier league this season. If he does, the top clubs will be circling.

2)Adnan Januzaj (Manchester United)

Quite simply a pleasure to watch. The Belgian left-footed attacker, signed from Anderlecht stood out last year in the Under 21s but looked too frail to challenge for a first team place. Fast-forward to pre-season 2013/2014 and Januzaj has added muscle, speed and first team minutes to his game. Competition for places at United is tough but Januzaj has the talent to make a break through. Elegant, effortless style makes the game look easy.

1) Romelu Lukaku (Everton)

Often compared to former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba, Lukaku might have expected to finally get to live up to that comparison for Chelsea after a blistering season on loan with West Brom; rather he was loaned to Everton on the transfer deadline day. He netted 17 goals in 35 appearances for the baggies last season, destroying defenses with his incredibly strength and speed. This season too,he has been terrific for Everton so far.At just 20, Lukaku has already demonstrated he is a clinical finisher, and could become one of the Premier League’s best strikers.