With the NFL Draft beginning last night, here’s a look at how a similar system of top young players of college age (18 or under) could see the best talent assigned to each Premier League team, with the worst teams handed the pick of the best young players in an attempt to close the gap between the bottom and the top…
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20) Leicester City – Youri Tielemans
Still only 17 years old, Belgian wonderkid Youri Tielemans is already a regular for Anderlecht and has played in the Champions League. Undoubtedly one of the best youngsters around, he could prove a great signing for relegation strugglers Leicester.
19) Burnley – Martin Odegaard
In another superb move, Burnley could bring in Norwegian prodigy Martin Odegaard from Real Madrid, who is probably the best 16-year-old on the planet.
18) Queens Park Rangers – Alen Halilovic
An 18-year-old Croatian playmaker snapped up by Barcelona last summer, Alen Halilovic is another outstanding talent and could be snapped up by Queens Park Rangers under this ruling.
17) Sunderland – Gabriel Barbosa
The latest Brazilian sensation, Santos’ 18-year-old goal machine Gabriel Barbosa has been compared to Neymar and could make the move to Sunderland.
16) Hull City – Gianluca Gaudino
Already a first-teamer at Bayern Munich, 18-year-old midfielder Gianluca Gaudino looks a great prospect and could join the ranks at Hull City.
15) Aston Villa – Simone Scuffet
Regarded as perhaps the best goalkeeper of his age group, Simone Scuffet of Udinese, 18, could be a great signing by Aston Villa.
14) Newcastle United – Ruben Loftus-Cheek
One of Chelsea’s brightest prospects but nowhere near the first-team, Ruben Loftus-Cheek could switch to Newcastle in a move that would greatly benefit both sides.
13) West Bromwich Albion – Krystian Bielik
Recently poached by Arsenal, 17-year-old Polish midfielder Krystian Bielik looks a top talent and could be given the chance to make a name for himself at West Bromwich Albion.
12) Crystal Palace – Jordan Rossiter
One of Liverpool’s best youngsters coming through, Jordan Rossiter could find himself at Crystal Palace under this ruling.
11) West Ham United – Gedion Zelalem
Another highly regarded talent on Arsenal’s books, Gedion Zelalem would be free to make the move to West Ham United.
10) Everton – Isaiah Brown
Another superb Chelsea prospect whose first-team chances are looking limited, Isaiah Brown, 18, could benefit from playing more regularly at a club like Everton.
9) Stoke City – Dominic Solanke
Dominic Solanke is another top talent coming through at Chelsea, but would get the chance to become a regular after making the move to Stoke City.
8) Swansea City – Hachim Mastour
An immensely gifted 15-year-old on the books at AC Milan, Hachim Mastour could be a great signing for the future for Swansea City here.
7) Southampton – Ainsley Maitland-Niles
A player in the headlines for the wrong reasons at the moment, but Ainsley Maitland-Niles is very highly thought of at Arsenal and could be a good signing for Southampton.
6) Tottenham Hotspur – Jerome Sinclair
One of many promising Liverpool prospects, Jerome Sinclair could join Tottenham after some time on loan in the lower leagues.
5) Liverpool – Dan Crowley
One of many fine Arsenal academy prospects, Dan Crowley could make the move to rivals Liverpool.
4) Manchester United – George Green
A player highly regarded by current club Everton, George Green would make his way to Manchester United under this ruling.
3) Manchester City – Ryan Kent
One from the Liverpool academy production line, Ryan Kent makes the switch to rivals Manchester City here.
2) Arsenal – Sheyi Ojo
A 17-year-old winger with some promise, Sheyi Ojo swaps Liverpool for Arsenal under this ruling.
1) Chelsea – Ryan Ledson
Finally, Chelsea are handed the chance to sign Ryan Ledson, a promising member of Everton’s youth team.
