Top 5 young players to watch out for in the Premier League

The Premier League is clearly the best among all its other footballing counterparts. One of the most competitive and demanding footballing environments in the world, the toughness and popularity of the Premier League has helped unearth few of the biggest stars in footballing history.

Young stars from all around the world flock towards a contract in the Premier League for its competitiveness is no match for the other leagues. It's not easy to be a first-team regular as clubs have a straining process of a very high standard and rarely do teenagers make it into the first-team regularly.

Most successful youngsters in the Premier League sides often go to other leagues in the world to gain experience and then return back to their sides. However, there have been few exceptional talents who have thrived in the Premier League and almost every season unearths promising players.

This season too has been no different with many promising prospects coming and going but there have been a few players who have showed that they are here to stay. Let's take a look at 5 young rising stars of the Premier League.

#5. Ainsley Maitland-Niles (Arsenal) - Age: 21

Ainsley Maitland-Niles is one of the brightest talents in the Premier League and his versatility is his biggest strength. Maitland-Niles can play in multiple positions on the field and is a great reader of the game. He provides a burst of energy and zing to the Arsenal attack and has been employed as a winger, an attacking midfielder or as a full back.

He's as comfortable in all of those positions and isn't easy to handle especially when he comes hurtling down one flank. He has got 5 starts this season and has played more as a defender than up front.

He has a tackle success rate of 67% and has made 96 recoveries indicating his express pace and anticipation. He got sidelined due to injury but has made his way back into the side. Now a first-team regular, Maitland-Niles must establish his stronghold and under Unai Emery.

#4. Ruben Neves (Wolverhampton Wanderers) - Age: 21

Ruben Neves has been of optimum importance in the playing style of the Wolves this season. He has distributed the ball across the field very well all season and has executed his role as the defensive midfielder perfectly. Ruben is a very clever player and reads the game exceptionally well. A very accurate passer, he averages about 55 passes per match and has fired 54 shots this season.

His shooting stats from long range puts him near the vicinity of the top 10 which features top players like Aguero, Hazard, Salah and Kane. He has been good on defensive duties and made 19 recoveries and 54 tackles this season.

He is a great long-range shooter and has scored 3 goals this season which includes one from the penalty spot. He's a great talent and Manchester City expressed their desire to sign him but didn't do so before the January Transfer window closed. He will certainly be on the watchlist of top clubs.

#3. Callum Hudson-Odoi (Chelsea) - Age: 18

Callum Hudson Odoi isn't far from playing in the Premier League

Callum Hudson Odoi is the brightest talent in the Chelsea team and has rapidly made his way into the first team from the U-21 team. Just 18 years old, Hudson Odoi brings a lot of energy to the game and is a very fast player. He has made a Premier League appearance only as a sub but has played for the first-team FA Cup and in other competitions.

Hudson Odoi has created many big chances and has scored a lot of goals. He is a very beautiful player to watch and Bayern has already expressed their desire to bring him into their team.

Hudson Odoi has made 11 appearances for the first team and has scored 2 goals, one in the FA Cup and the other in the Europa League. The fact that big clubs are hunting for him indicates how big a player he can be

#2. David Brooks (Bournemouth) - Age: 21

David Brooks celebrates after scoring a goal

David Brooks has been one of the best players for AFC Bournemouth and is certainly one of the best young players in the league. Brooks can play in any attacking position and has great vision and attacking ability.

He has a sweet left foot but can play on both the wings equally well. Brooks has created 5 big chances this season and has provided 4 assists. He has also scored 6 goals, 5 of them with his left foot, 1 header and all of them from open play.

He was unlucky not to score with 1 beautiful shot hitting the woodwork. He has missed 8 big chances this season and though this stat is on the negative side, it shows that he's getting into the right positions and at 21 years old, Brooks is a terrific talent. A versatile attacking midfielder, David Brooks is one player who has impressed all. Clubs like Manchester United and Tottenham wanted to sign him but the deal didn't materialise. Needless to say, he has a bright future ahead of him.

#1. Marcus Rashford (Manchester United) - Age: 21

This list can't exist without Marcus Rashford's name on it. Rashford has seen a monumental rise in goals and assists ever since Ole Gunner Solskjaer took over and though the manager must be given credit, all that has happened is just Rashford being allowed to play his natural game.

Rashford has combined well with Paul Pogba and the duo seem to have turned the tables around and have Manchester United cruising and easily brushing past opponents. Rashford is a beautiful player to watch when in full flow. Nimble-footed, he has great awareness and is a great dribbler and on top of that, he has wicked pace and can beat almost any defender with his pace.

His ability to find the corner or empty space even from very tight angles shows his talent. Rashford has been playing in the first-team since the age of 17 and is a real prodigy. He has scored 8 goals this season and provided 6 assists and created 4 big chances as well.

He's a real team player and can become a Man United great if he keeps going like this. He has fired 50 shots of which 27 have been on target. He's in the top 5 for shots on target competing with stars like Hazard, Kane, Aubameyang and Salah. Marcus Rashford is clearly the best young talent in the league.

Edited by Rahul Arun