The best players in England younger than 21.
If football is all about the future then these Premier League youngsters are looking to make a name for themselves as CaughtOffside brings you the 10 best wonderkids from the division.
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Note that to qualify the players must be younger than 21.
10. Lazar Markovic, Liverpool – 20
Many Reds fans may disagree with this assessment after their £20m signing’s performance against Swansea City in the Capital One Cup on Tuesday, but the Serbian is still regarded as one of the best young players in world football.
9. Serge Gnarby, Arsenal – 19
Broke into Arsene Wenger’s first team last season, but has been hampered this term by injury and will be looking to continue his promising development as soon as possible.
8. Jack Grealish, Aston Villa – 19
Is already making quite the impression at Villa Park and manager Paul Lambert has done well to tie the midfielder down to a long-term deal as his stock continues to rise.
7. John Stones, Everton – 20
Has really asserted himself at Goodison Park over the past 12 months and is now also a firm fixture in the senior England squad, but needs to try and maintain his match fitness.
6. Divock Origi, Liverpool (currently on-loan at Lille) – 19
Joined for £10m over the summer and was immediately sent back on-loan to Ligue 1 by Brendan Rodgers, but with goals not really flowing currently the Northern Irishman would probably welcome the Belgian at Anfield.
5. Luke Shaw, Manchester United – 19
Became the most expensive teenager in British history up[on completing his £27m switch from Southampton over the summer and will be wanting to justify that price-tag as soon as possible.
4. Kurt Zouma, Chelsea – 19
Was bought from Saint-Etienne for £12.5m in January, but stayed in France until the summer and is now looking to make himself the long-term replacement for Blues captain John Terry.
3. Adnan Januzaj, Manchester United – 19
Was one of the few positives of the David Moyes era at Old Trafford and broke onto the scene with two goals on his debut against Sunderland and is now looking to make himself a fixture in Louis van Gaal’s starting XI.
2. Ross Barkley, Everton – 20
Roberto Martinez has really gotten the best out of this attacking midfielder and his experience with the Three Lions at the 2014 World Cup can only be a positive one as he continues to grow as a player.
1. Raheem Sterling, Liverpool – 19
The standout performer has to be this attacker though, who over the past two years has really flourished under Rodgers and is now one of the best players in the English top tier full stop.