The ten best teenagers in the Premier League.
10. James Ward-Prowse – Southampton
The England under-21 international has enjoyed a second fine season in the Saints first team, and has once again earned a whole host of admirers. Southampton have built on their strong return to the Premier League last season by enjoying a top eight finish this time around, and a lot of that success can be put down to players like Ward-Prowse, who have excelled coming through the youth ranks.
9. Marcos Lopes – Manchester City
The 18-year-old is currently the only teenager on Manchester City’s professional books, and though he has only made cameo appearances in domestic cup competitions for the Citizens, he has been tipped to break through to the first team before too long to have a strong impact. Signed from Benfica in 2011 after being impressed with his form in their youth ranks, many are tipping the Portuguese under-21 international to have a bright future in the game. However, it would be no surprise to see him head out on loan next season to a Premier League side in the lower reaches.
8. Souleymane Coulibaly – Tottenham Hotspur
The Ivorian hitman arrived at White Hart Lane in July 2011 on the back of winning the Golden Boot at that year’s FIFA Under-17 World Cup, and though the 19-year-old has still make his first-team debut for the north London outfit in his three-years at the club, the striker is still held in high regard. Having been farmed out on loan to Italian side Grosseto this season he has since bagged to goals in 12 appearances for the Serie B side.
7. Calum Chambers – Southampton
Another exciting prospect to come off the production line on the south coast is the 19-year-old right-back Calum Chambers. Having only started a handful of Premier League games for the club, England manager Roy Hodgson made it clear that he was under consideration for a cap soon, having skippered the under-19 side already. Like Phil Jones before him, he is another teenager who is not afraid to tell the older pros exactly what he thinks when something goes wrong.
6. Nabil Bentaleb – Tottenham Hotspur
Bentaleb was a virtual unknown at the start of the season, but his inclusion in the Spurs line up ahead of a number of their expensive summer signings following Tim Sherwood’s appointment as manager helped thrust him into the limelight far sooner than anyone could have expected. Armed with a gifted eye for a pass and a maturity beyond his 19 years, he has already made his debut for the Algerian national side and could be in line for a surprise call up to the squad for this summer’s World Cup.
5. John Stones – Everton
It takes something special for a Premier League side to fork out £3m on a rookie Championship player, but that’s exactly what Toffees boss Roberto Martinez did last summer when he picked up Stones, who is now beginning to look somewhat of a bargain. The 19-year-old has already broke into the first team at Everton and looks set to keep his spot there over the coming years, and he even has an outside chance of travelling to Brazil this summer.
4. Serge Gnabry – Arsenal
Arsenal have several young stars in their ranks who have a very bright future ahead of them, but at the moment there are none more worthy of praise that Gnabry. The young German has made his first strides into the first team this season and did not look out of place at all. He has capitalised on the injury crisis suffered at the club to show his credentials as a future Gunners star.
3. Luke Shaw – Southampton
The third and final member of Southampton’s young squad to be included in the list, is arguably their best. It’s been a whirlwind year for the 18-year-old has been the subject of some multi-million pound transfer talk from the country’s biggest and best, as well as making his international debut ahead of the World Cup. He is the jewell in Southampton’s crown, and whether he stays or goes his impact on the club will be bigger than he ever imagined.
2. Adnan Januzaj – Manchester United
Januzaj is perhaps the best thing to come out of David Moyes’ short tenure at the helm of the club, as he was given a chance to prove himself in difficult circumstances and still managed to come out the other side with a series of plaudits despite poor results. Capable on the wing or in a central role, the 19-year-old has set himself up for a big future in the game and his four goals in 26 league appearances have meant that at least he can finish the season with his head held high.
1. Raheem Sterling – Liverpool
Everyone was aware how prodigiously talented Sterling was when he made the move to Anfield two-years ago, but there were some serious question marks over his attitude. However, he has since silenced those critics with a string of exciting and consistent displays that have thrust him to the fore of English football. Quick, powerful and intelligent, he has been one of the bright spots in a thrilling season for the Reds and shows no signs of slowing down either.