Last season, Mason Greenwood could do no wrong. The teenage forward who bagged a goal seemingly every game at the youth level was touted to be the best prospect to emerge out of Manchester United's famed academy since Paul Pogba and lived up to his hype in his full debut campaign, scoring 17 goals in 49 matches, just six shy of club topscorer Anthony Martial's tally of 23.

Greenwood's ability to finish with either foot and score goals from near-impossible angles make him one of the deadliest teenage forwards in Europe, and following his stellar first full season, the youngster was handed Manchester United's famed #11 jersey, donned by the club's highest appearance maker and one of the most decorated footballers in history, Ryan Giggs.

But things haven’t panned out the way Greenwood or Manchester United would have expected.

The 19-year-old made the headlines for all the wrong reasons when he, along with Manchester City's teenage starlet Phil Foden, invited a couple of girls to their hotel rooms while on international duty, breaking quarantine protocol, which prompted coach Gareth Southgate to send them back home.

Greenwood and Foden were heavily chastised by the English media, but both seemingly weathered the storm with good performances for their respective clubs. However, the Manchester United star has been caught up in another controversy this past week, prolonging his rough spell since the start of the season.

Greenwood was absent from Manchester United's 3-1 victory over Everton, with the club citing injury as the reason but reports suggest that the 19-year-old was dropped from the side owing to his lack on intensity in training, which prompted coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to drop him from the squad.

The youngster has reportedly sleeping late and performing sluggishly in training, raising concerns about his commitment to the game. All these are pretty reminiscent of another Manchester United academy superstar who burst onto to the scene and was handed the #11 jersey only to flame out spectacularly in just a couple of seasons.

Adnan Januzaj, who was sensational under David Moyes, was heavily criticised and often left out of the matchday squad by subsequent manager Louis Van Gaal, who eventually decided to loan him out to Borussia Dortmund.

In Germany, then-Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel was vocal about Januzaj's lack of effort in understanding his tactical demands and the German giants decided to end Januzaj’s loan spell just two months into the six-month deal. Januzaj's performance continued to dwindle and new coach Jose Mourinho decided to ship him to Real Sociedad, where he continues to ply his trade to this day.

Januzaj’s spectacular rise and sensational drop came due to his lack of discipline off the field and in training and Greenwood is trending in the same direction as Belgian winger.

Solskjaer will continue to back Greenwood and give him leeway for as long as he shows improvement, but in his time as Manchester United manager, the Norwegian has already shown that no player is too big to be axed for the betterment of the team and he wouldn’t hesitate to ship Greenwood to football purgatory like Mourinho did with Januzaj.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Oli Scarff

It’s just a matter of days until we see our beloved Premier League returning to our TV sets. The ongoing transfer market has well and truly made the 2020/21 season all the more interesting, but the growing perspective of believing in youth is set to make the upcoming campaign one to keep an eye on. 

Right from Mikel Arteta to Ole Gunnar-Solskjaer, the young guns have flourished right on level with the seniors to a greater extent. And so, as we approach another enthralling Premier League season, we look at five teenagers who are tipped for greater success this campaign.

William Saliba (Arsenal)

Arsenal have had their issues in defence last season, having conceded 48 goals last season (third-most amongst the top 10), but the arrival of Gabriel Magalhaes and the return of William Saliba is set to release the pressure in one way or another. With a host of options to choose from, manager Mikel Arteta is set to have that sweet selection headache, while Saliba, personally, will undergo an uphill task of justifying why the Gunners paid £27m for his services.

• Highs and lows of Mikel Arteta's first season at Arsenal

Signed from Saint-Etienne in the summer of 2019, Arsenal decided to loan him back to France, a decision that worked wonders as he not only impressed but also helped Saint-Etienne reach the Coupe de France. Strong with the ball at his feet and extremely competent in one-on-one situations, 19-year-old Saliba is expected to be one of Arteta’s main men in defence this season.  

Mason Greenwood (Manchester United)

Manchester United’s new No. 11, Mason Greenwood is tipped for greatness after an exhilarating return of 17 goals in 49 appearances in the 2019/20 season, which made him the first player aged 18 or under since Michael Owen (1997/98) to score 10+ goals in a Premier League season. 

A forward with quick-feet and unmatchable finishing abilities for his age, the soon to be 19-year-old will be one of United’s most potent weapons in an already electric and young attacking setup. Greenwood is someone who is never afraid of having a go at goal regardless of the distance, and that, coupled with his ability to weird equal power in both feet, further makes him a potential danger for the opponent.

With the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Paul Pogba and now Donny van de Beek supporting him from the back, expect Greenwood to surpass his tally of the previous season this campaign.

• Highs and lows of Solskjaer's first full season at Manchester United

Curtis Jones (Liverpool)

A fantastic curling effort from some 20-odd yards in Liverpool’s FA Cup tie against Everton in January this year made 19-year-old Curtis Jones the youngest goalscorer in a Merseyside derby since Robbie Fowler (18 years and 338 days) in March 1994. This time last year, most of the Liverpool fans had never heard of the talented midfielder, but as things stand, he is rightly tipped to provide healthy competition for a place in Jurgen Klopp’s first team.

"A proper Scouser," as Klopp described him when he faced Borussia Dortmund in the International Champions Cup in North Carolina ahead of the 2018/19 season, Jones has continued the rich vein of form after providing two assists during Liverpool's 7-2 win over Blackpool last week. 

• With Timo Werner snared by Chelsea, who else can Liverpool consider?

Being able to play on multiple positions across the midfield gives Jones a perfect edge as he heads into the new season. He is strong, confident and always wants the ball at his feet; a trait that represents a burly character. He is certain to make an impact next season.

Fabio Silva (Wolves)

18-year-old forward Fabio Silva became Wolves�?latest import from Portugal after the Wanderers decided to splash a club-record £35m for the teenager. Dubbed the ‘new Cristiano Ronaldo�? Silva began his career in the youth team at Porto in 2010 before moving to Benfica in 2015. Two years later, he came back to Porto and has been with the team since. 

Spending £35m for a player who has a mere 21 senior appearances to his name rightly seems like a gamble, but judging by how the Portuguese media has rated him during the short tenure, it looks like he is worth the penny. Portuguese journalist Andre Monteiro likens Silva to Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino, saying that the teenager is someone who likes to make clever movements around the area, and loves to lay dangerous passes to his teammates.

“When he receives the ball, he knows where the goal is, he knows the movement needed to create space to take a shot,�?says Monteiro. 

• Five emerging players from the 2019/20 Champions League season

“I think he’s a natural, of course he has to work, like any player, but he’s a natural.�?/span>

Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)

Recently turned 19-year-old Bukayo Saka took the Premier League by storm last season after ending his tenure with a return of four goals and a whopping 11 assists. Appreciated for his versatility, Saka was deployed in multiple positions by Arteta last season, and the youngster didn’t disappoint a single bit. Direct with his approach, Saka impressed one and all with his splendid dribbling abilities, and we can expect more of the same in the coming season.

This time around though, Saka could well and truly be given a more advanced role in order to provide sufficient services to the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette. Tipped as Arsenal’s biggest prospect since Cesc Fabregas, Saka will be given the stage to perform, and it is safe to say that the 19-year-old won’t disappoint even a single bit.

Feature image courtesy: Twitter / @Wolves, AFP / Gareth Fuller

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer urged his Manchester United stars to seize a "fantastic opportunity" to qualify for the Champions League after Mason Greenwood rescued a 1-1 draw against West Ham on Wednesday.

Solskjaer's side fell behind to Michail Antonio's penalty in the first half at Old Trafford.

But teenage forward Greenwood struck after the interval to lift United into third place in the Premier League.

They are ahead of fourth-placed Chelsea on goal difference after the Blues lost 5-3 at champions Liverpool.

United will finish in the top four if they draw or win in their decisive showdown with fifth-placed Leicester on Sunday.

United are one point ahead of Leicester going into their last game of the season at the King Power Stadium.

"When we started after the lockdown, we had to go for it. We had to go for goal difference, we had to go for points," Solskjaer said.

"The effort has been fantastic and the results have been fantastic.

"Going into half-time we knew that wasn't the result we wanted. But you can't expect to turn teams over like we needed to have a different scenario for Sunday.

"We've given ourselves a fantastic opportunity and a great starting point for Sunday."

Solskjaer's team were well below their best against West Ham, but they are now unbeaten in 13 league matches and will complete an impressive surge into the Champions League if they emerge unscathed at Leicester.

They can also qualify for Europe's elite club competition if they win the Europa League in August.

Solskjaer will have been relieved there were no costly mistakes from David De Gea after the United keeper retained his place.

The Spaniard made two embarrassing errors that led to goals in United's 3-1 FA Cup semi-final defeat against Chelsea on Sunday.

West Ham's point ensured they are mathematically certain to avoid relegation.

After their sluggish loss at Wembley ended a 19-match unbeaten run in all competitions, Solskjaer's men made a more enterprising start this time and West Ham keeper Lukasz Fabianski was tested twice inside the first four minutes.

Mature Greenwood

Anthony Martial's stinging strike from just inside the penalty area forced an excellent save from Fabianski, who then plunged to his right to keep out Greenwood's effort.

Rashford tried his luck from 30 yards, but the forward's powerful drive was too close to Fabianski, while Greenwood's close-range shot was blocked by Ogbonna.

De Gea had been a spectator for the first 40 minutes and when he was finally called into action, Antonio's header lacked the power to trouble him.

But De Gea still had to pick the ball out of the net moments before half-time after Paul Pogba handed West Ham a penalty.

Declan Rice's free-kick was smashed straight at Pogba, who instinctively stuck up his arms to protect his face.

Despite Pogba dropping to the turf as though he had been hit in the head, VAR confirmed the France midfielder's handball.

Antonio took the spot-kick, sending De Gea the wrong way for his sixth goal in his last three games.

United had let the first half drift out of their control, but Greenwood dragged them level with another demonstration of his remarkable maturity in the 51st minute.

Dropping deep to exchange passes with Martial, the 18-year-old kept his composure to drill a clinical finish past Fabianski from 12 yards.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Catherine Ivill

Matchweek 36 sees the fight for the European spots tense up as the in-form Arsenal, who are unbeaten in three Premier League matches, take on champions Liverpool in a crunch tie for a European spot. On other important ties, two more European aspirants Leicester City and Sheffield United battle it out for a place in the top six, with both clubs looking to take advantage of Chelsea’s loss to Sheffield last time round.

While the race for the Golden Boot gets as heated as the fight for European competition, with the primary contenders being Jamie Vardy, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Danny Ings, let’s have a look at five players to have in your Nostragamus fantasy teams:

Player: Raheem Sterling

Team: Manchester City

Match: Manchester City vs Bournemouth

Raheem Sterling might not have been at his razor-sharp best this season but the former Liverpool player has been one of their most prolific goalscorers against AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League. The English wideman scored one goal the last time these two teams met, taking his total tally to four against the Cherries in their last five games. With Pep reportedly more interested in finishing second, he will hope Sterling will be able to find his scoring boots for the third match running against Bournemouth.

Player: Mohamed Salah

Team: Liverpool

Match: Arsenal vs Liverpool

Mohamed Salah has always shown the knack of scoring goals against Arsenal. The Egyptian winger has scored five goals in as many appearances against the North London club, including three in the last two for Liverpool. He will look to continue this form against Arsenal, who haven’t lost a game at home against Liverpool in their last five fixtures.

Player: Jamie Vardy

Team: Leicester City

Match: Leicester City vs Sheffield United

Although Arsenal vs Liverpool could prove to be the blockbuster fixture for the next matchweek, the game between Leicester and Sheffield will prove to be a crunch tied for both teams. Jamie Vardy was back to his goalscoring best and added another goal against Arsenal to get an important equaliser and lead the goalscoring charts. He will need to be at his firing best against Sheffield, or risk losing the third spot to Chelsea.

Player: Mason Greenwood

Team: Manchester United

Match: Crystal Palace vs Manchester United

Mason Greenwood has been creating ripples in recent times with his strong performances for Manchester United. The front three of Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Greenwood have scored the bulk of United’s goals since the restart, with the addition of Bruno Fernandes giving the team a cutting edge in their attack. The England youth international has now scored four goals in three appearances, making him among the top-scoring teenagers in Premier League history.

Player: Danny Ings

Team: Southampton

Match: Southampton vs Brighton and Hove Albion

Brighton will be wary of the in-form Southampton in a bid to stay above the relegation zone. Danny Ings has one goal in two appearances as a Saints player against Brighton, but his current goalscoring form, which allowed his side to earn an important draw against Everton, will be key against Brighton. He now has 19 goals, and with both Aubameyang and Vardy facing tough fixtures, all eyes will be on Ings to grab a goal or two against the Seagulls.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Peter Byrne

With another sensational strike, this time against Aston Villa, Manchester United’s 18-year-old prodigy Mason Greenwood registered his 16^th goal of the campaign and his ninth in the Premier League.

The talented youngster became the first teenager since Wayne Rooney to score in three straight Premier League matches, and with his fourth goal from outside the box in the Premier League, Greenwood became the leader in that category in the league this season.

Greenwood became just the fourth different player to score nine goals in a Premier League campaign before turning 19, and for those wondering who the other three are, we have the got the list for you:

Micheal Owen �?1997-98 and 1998-99

Former Ballon d’Or winner Micheal Owen was perhaps the most prolific teenage English striker ever, as proven by his incredible season with Liverpool in 1997-98.

The teenager scored 18 Premier League goals at age 18, setting the all-time mark. He scored nine goals in the 1998-99 season before turning 19, becoming the only player in Premier League history to have two seasons with nine or more goals before turning 19.

Robbie Fowler �?1993/94

The legendary Liverpool striker struck 10 times before his 19^th birthday in the 1993/94 Premier League campaign and scored two more to finish with 12 for the season.

Fowler scored 162 goals in the Premier League for Liverpool, Leeds United and Manchester City.

Wayne Rooney �?2003/04

England and Manchester United’s all-time leading goal scorer Wayne Rooney has scored over 300 goals in his incredible career, however, it all started at his boyhood club Everton in 2002.

After scoring six goals in his debut campaign, Rooney scored nine in 2003/04 before moving to Manchester United that summer. Rooney went on to win every trophy with Manchester United.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Dave Thompson

Manchester United have spent more than £1 billion ($1.2 billion) on new players over the past nine years but the Red Devils latest revival owes much to a home-grown superstar in 18-year-old academy graduate Mason Greenwood.

The young forward was the star of the show as United scored five goals in the Premier League at Old Trafford for the first time since 2011 against Bournemouth at the weekend.

Greenwood smashed high into the Bournemouth net, first with his left foot and then with his right as free-flowing United won 5-2 in a style rarely seen since Alex Ferguson's retirement in 2013.

In his first season with the first team, Greenwood has scored 15 goals despite making just 18 starts in all competitions.

United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who earned the tag "baby-faced assassin" for his finishing prowess as a player at Old Trafford, rates the club's latest prodigy as "one of the best -- if not the best -- finisher I have worked with and seen".

5 - The top five most goals by players aged 18 or younger in a single Premier League season. Famous. pic.twitter.com/DAyn9SD9Jy

�?OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) July 4, 2020

Greenwood's second against Bournemouth was particularly eye-catching as he spun onto his supposedly weaker right foot before crashing the ball with such speed that Aaron Ramsdale could not keep it out despite getting a hand to it.

"It's freakish," said former United striker Andy Cole. "He can go either side and you know he’s going to produce that kind of quality."

- 'More like a man' -

Revitalised by the January signing of Bruno Fernandes, United were in fine form before football's three-month coronavirus shutdown.

But far from seeing their momentum slowed, the manner in which Solskjaer's men have returned has raised hopes they could even mount a title challenge to Liverpool and Manchester City next season.

Greenwood did not let the lockdown period go to waste as he reportedly gained three kilograms of muscle mass.

"Mason is looking more and more like a man," said Solskjaer prior to the season's restart.

It has shown on the field as the teenager has started three consecutive Premier League games for the first time, during which United have scored 11 goals.

Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial's goals against Bournemouth took them to the 20-goal mark in the season for the first time and with an average of just 21, United's front three have the potential to bring back the glory days of the Ferguson era in the coming years.

"He’s always eager to learn and he reminds me, mentality-wise, of how I was when I was younger," said Rashford. "If you keep learning, there’s no limit to what you can become."

United's immediate future is focused on securing a return to Champions League football, with a trip to relegation-threatened Aston Villa next up on Thursday.

The swagger and speed with which United have played in the past three games has come, significantly, in the only three matches Fernandes and Pogba have started together.

Pogba seemed destined to leave Old Trafford for the second time in his career prior to the COVID-19 outbreak. Now, with finances tighter across European football, it is unlikely interest from Real Madrid will materialise this summer.

For the first time in his second spell at United, Pogba's role in the midfield suits his skill-set, with Nemanja Matic providing the platform for the French World Cup winner and Fernandes to share the creative burden.

"We know that they (Rashford, Martial and Greenwood) can score goals, we know that they've got pace, energy, they're youthful, they'll learn, they'll improve," added Solskjaer.

"With the players that we have that can provide the passes with Paul and Bruno, the creativity that we've got in the team now is exciting."

Liverpool and Manchester City showed why there is a 23-point gap between them at the top of the Premier League with contrasting fortunes on Sunday.

Mason Greenwood and Jamie Vardy may be at differing ends of their careers but both scored twice on Saturday in big victories for Manchester United and Leicester in the race for a place in the top four.

And at the other end of the table, all hope appears gone for Norwich on another weekend in which none of the bottom four picked up a single point.

We look at five things we learned from the Premier League.

Greenwood 'one of the best'

Greenwood is the new darling of the Manchester United support as the 18-year-old showed why manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes he is already "one of the best �?if not the best �?finisher I have worked with and seen".

From a man who played with Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney at a similar age that is high praise, but the power with which Greenwood rifled home with both his left and right foot against Bournemouth backed up Solskjaer's claim.

5 - The top five most goals by players aged 18 or younger in a single Premier League season. Famous. pic.twitter.com/DAyn9SD9Jy

�?OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) July 4, 2020

Greenwood's double helped United score five goals at Old Trafford in a league game for the first time since 2011, but on the evidence of recent weeks it is unlikely to be another nine games let alone nine years before the Red Devils hit five again.

Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial also reached 20 goals for the season and Bruno Fernandes capped another influential display with a fine free-kick.

With Paul Pogba joining Fernandes since the restart in midfield, United finally look like the sides Solskjaer played in during the glory years of Alex Ferguson's reign.

Echoes of Anfield

Liverpool fans waited three decades to see their side crowned Premier League champions and now cannot see their heroes up close.

Liverpool are unbeaten in their last 57 #PL home matches (W47 D10)

They've won their last 24 in a row! pic.twitter.com/1YJUF6qtkP

�?Premier League (@premierleague) July 6, 2020

In their first home match since winning the league, Liverpool were again met by rows of empty stands rather than a buoyant Anfield that would have greeted Jurgen Klopp's men.

Despite the lack of atmosphere, one thing remains the same when Liverpool line up at home - they win. The Reds were far from their best against relegation-threatened Aston Villa but did enough to secure a 24th straight league victory at Anfield in the final 20 minutes thanks to goals from Sadio Mane and Curtis Jones.

Ton up for Vardy

Leicester's struggles since the restart have coincided with a dry spell in front of goal for Vardy.

But both came to an end as the talismanic number nine scored twice against Crystal Palace to become the 29th player to score 100 Premier League goals.

Of the 29 players to have scored 100 #PL goals, only @IanWright0 (28 years 286 days) made his debut in the competition at an older age than @vardy7 (27 years 232 days) pic.twitter.com/cxFeuRG3PY

�?Premier League (@premierleague) July 4, 2020

Vardy's second in characteristic fashion, as he raced in behind before nonchalantly lifting the ball over Vicente Guaita, will give the Foxes hope he can rekindle his form in time to save their Champions League ambitions.

Brendan Rodgers's men remain in third, but face Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester United in their final five games of the season.

Norwich's last chance gone

In a story of Norwich's season, chances came and went against Brighton but the only goal of the game was scored by the visitors at Carrow Road.

A sixth straight defeat leaves the Canaries still seven points adrift of safety and even manager Daniel Farke is resigned to a return to the Championship next season.

"We are not relegated, but realistically this was our last chance to get back in the mix with a good result," admitted the German.

Wasteful City beaten again

One of Norwich's only five league victories came against City in September in a shock result that set the tone for Pep Guardiola's men's title defence.

Che Adams�?goal was the longest-range #PL goal so far this season (39 yards)#SOUMCI | @SouthamptonFC pic.twitter.com/VBI7U4NyNP

�?Premier League (@premierleague) July 5, 2020

City have now lost nine times this season, many of which have come in the same manner as a 1-0 defeat at Southampton.

The visitors had 74 percent possession and had 26 shots but failed to score and paid for one defensive error when Oleksandr Zinchenko lost possession and Che Adams caught Ederson out of his goal from over 40 yards out.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Dave Thompson

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said Bruno Fernandes has brought a winning mentality to Manchester United after his brace inspired an impressive 3-0 win at Brighton on Tuesday.

Cajoled by the dazzling Fernandes, United produced one of their best performances of the season at the Amex Stadium.

Mason Greenwood opened the scoring early in the first half and Fernandes doubled the lead before the interval. The Portuguese netted again after half-time with a fine volley as United climbed above Wolves on goal difference to take fifth place in the Premier League.

"Bruno has come and been fantastic. He has brought that winning mentality with him, that 99 percent is not good enough. It has to be 100 percent," Solskjaer said.

"I've got more than one game-changer. The third goal was a great team goal. To see so many players sprinting forward to get on the end of it was fantastic. A great finish by Bruno."

Solskjaer's side are two points behind fourth-placed Chelsea, who play their game in hand at West Ham on Wednesday.

With fifth place securing qualification for the Champions League if second-placed Manchester City's European ban is upheld, United are in a strong position to return to the continent's elite club competition.

If they make it, United will owe a huge debt of gratitude to Fernandes, who has scored six goals since arriving from Sporting Lisbon in January.

The Portugal midfielder's role in revitalising United cannot be understated.

They were mired in a major slump before Fernandes' signing, but are now on a 15-game unbeaten run in all competitions, including three successive wins.

"It's a joy to watch them when you see them express themselves like that," Solskjaer said.

"The confidence comes from performances. They worked hard during the lockdown and we know we have loads to play for. I don't care about making a statement, I know we are a good team."

United are also looking more solid at the back with eight clean sheets in their last 13 league matches.

With a run-in that includes games against Bournemouth, Aston Villa and West Ham, Solskjaer's men could enjoy a memorable conclusion to the campaign as they also chase success in the FA Cup and Europa League.

Brighton had taken four points from two games since the restart, easing their relegation fears, but this defeat means they aren't completely safe yet.

- Complete control -

Harry Maguire led United's charge with a long pass to Paul Pogba, who rolled it into the path of Fernandes for a fierce drive that cannoned back off the post.

Solskjaer this week warned United's strikers they must improve if they want to stay in the team. It was a message that Greenwood had clearly taken to heart as the 18-year-old produced a fine strike to open the scoring in the 16th minute.

Cutting in from the right, Greenwood froze Lewis Dunk with a nimble step-over and drilled a low shot past Brighton keeper Mat Ryan at his near post.

"He's a special talent. He's getting better. You can see clearly that he's maturing and improving," Solskjaer said of Greenwood.

"He's still only 18 so we will see more from him."

Greenwood's 13th goal of the season in all competitions was the signal for United to take complete control.

Maguire almost made it two with a header that looped narrowly wide and in the 29th minute Brighton cracked again.

Luke Shaw's run unhinged the Albion defence and Pogba worked the ball back to Fernandes, whose shot deflected off Alexis Mac Allister and squirmed past Ryan from the edge of the area.

Fernandes wasn't finished yet and he put the game out of Brighton's reach at the climax of a swaggering United counter in the 50th minute.

Nemanja Matic's cross-field pass sent Greenwood sprinting away down the left and the teenager unfurled a perfect cross for Fernandes to volley past Ryan from 12 yards.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Andy Rain

The Premier League boasts of some of the finest young talents in the game. The 2019/20 season of the English top-flight football has seen a number of teenagers break into their respective first-teams and go on to make a solid impression. 

And here, we put together a lineup comprising of some of the most impressive teenage talents currently plying their trade in the English top flight.

GK: Joseph Anang (West Ham United U23)

No teenager has featured in the Premier League in the goalkeeping position this season. So, 19-year-old Joseph Anang, who is the West Ham reserve goalkeeper and has the highest number of clean sheets (eight in 17 matches) in the Premier League 2 gets the nod. Has made it to the bench on one occasion, but is yet to make his first-team bow.

RB: Tariq Lamptey (Brighton, on loan from Chelsea)

There are a number of supremely talented young right-backs in England currently �?Trent Alexander-Arnold, Max Aarons, Reece James. And Chelsea’s Tariq Lamptey could soon be set to join the list. The 19-year-old broke into the first-team this term and hasn’t made a lot of appearances, but has impressed whenever given an opportunity.

Read | Three players whose stocks have dived in the 2019-20 Premier League

Having joined Brighton on loan in January, Lamptey did not get a chance to make an impression as the season was suspended soon after. In all, he has featured 22 times in all competitions, senior and reserve teams combined, scoring and assisting three goals apiece.

CB: Eric Garcia (Manchester City)

The Manchester City academy man has been tipped for great things and he has shown why he is held in high regard within the club with some impressive displays in the first-team this season. A regular for the Spanish U-21 side, the 19-year-old has made nine first-team appearances at City this season, contributing with a solitary assist as well. Is expected to play an increased role next term.

CB: Brandon Williams (Manchester United)

The 19-year-old Manchester United starlet has enjoyed a breakthrough campaign, impressing heavily for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side. Primarily a right-footed left-back, Williams has excelled in that role. But for the want of teenage centre-backs in the Premier League, he slots in at the heart of the defence here, a position where he has played in the past during his youth days.

LB: Ryan Sessegnon (Tottenham Hotspur)

The Englishman was snapped up by Tottenham last summer after an impressive couple of seasons with Fulham. And while the 19-year-old hasn’t been able to make the desired impact this term due to injuries, he’s still regarded as one of the finest prospects in the country. Till date, Sessegnon has made 41 Premier League appearances in his career, scoring six goals and setting up two more.

RW: Callum Hudson-Odoi (Chelsea)

One of the most exciting players to have come through Chelsea’s youth academy in recent years, Callum Hudson-Odoi has become a household name over the past year and a half and has already broken into the England national team during the time. Till date, the 19-year-old has made 53 first-team appearances, bagging eight goals and assisting 10 more. 

Read | Three U-20 players who impressed in the 2019/20 Premier League season

CM: Phil Foden (Manchester City)

One of the most technically gifted young players in England, the Manchester City starlet burst onto the scenes when he helped England win the FIFA U-17 World Cup a few years ago. Hasn’t been able to nail down a place in the starting XI at City due to the horde of superstars at Pep Guardiola’s disposal, but has shone brightly each time he has been given the chance. In 26 appearances this term, he has bagged three goals and created seven more for his teammates.

CM: Billy Gilmour (Chelsea)

The 18-year-old Scottish midfielder broke through the first-team at Chelsea under Frank Lampard this term and has made quite the impression. Back-to-back Man of the Match performances against Liverpool (FA Cup) and Everton (Premier League) has meant Gilmour’s stocks have risen rapidly in recent months.

LW: Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)

One of the few positives for Arsenal in the 2019/20 campaign, Saka has enjoyed a sensational breakthrough season with the Gunners. In 29 senior appearances, the 18-year-old has come up with a fine return of three goals and nine assists across all competitions. Has impressed with his versatility, having played as a winger and a full-back over the course of the season.

Read | Three youngsters poised to breakout in the Premier League next season

ST: Mason Greenwood (Manchester United)

Regarded as one of the finest prospects to have come through the Manchester United academy, Mason Greenwood has impressed heavily in his first full season with the first-team. With twelve goals and four assists in 36 senior appearances across all competitions, the 18-year-old has stepped up admirably and should grow into a pivotal member of the team in the coming seasons.

ST: Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal)

Signed by Arsenal only last summer, the Brazilian hasn’t taken long to adapt to the rigours of English football, shining bright with his all-round play in the attacking third. With ten goals and four assists in just 26 matches, the 18-year-old has shown that he is a star in the making.

The English Premier League is one of the most competitive football leagues in the world. Some of the world's best players are brought in to play for the clubs in this league and the management doesn't shy away from spending huge amounts of money to acquire their services as well.

However, these clubs invest in youth as well if they spot young talent, and they’re then nurtured and grown in their academies to make them world-class players. Sometimes, even while they’re still teenagers, they are given chances to showcase their talent at the highest level If they go on to impress in the limited number of opportunities given to them, they start getting chances on a more consistent basis as well.

We saw some examples of such players making their mark in the 2019/20 season of the Premier League as well and here, we will take a look at three of the most talented among them.

Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal)

The 18-year-old Brazilian forward was mainly supposed to play for Arsenal's U-23 team when the club signed him for a fee of £5 million from Brazil's third-tier team Ituano. However, Martinelli impressed the entire Arsenal management so much in training that he was fast-tracked into the senior team.

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The club gave him the chance to prove his mettle first in cup competitions like the Europa League and he grabbed the opportunity with both hands, scoring seven goals and providing four assists in a total of 12 appearances. As a result, he was handed his Premier League start later on as well and he impressed once again, scoring three goals and one assist in a total of 14 appearances, eight of which came from the bench.

Mason Greenwood (Manchester United)

Already a star at Old Trafford at just 18 years of age, Mason Greenwood has made a total of 40 appearances for the club across all competitions this season and racked up 12 goals and four assists. These numbers might not seem extraordinary but remember that he started in only 17 of those 40 appearances and keeping that in mind, the number of times he contributed is quite extraordinary. These goals also include five strikes in the Premier League itself.

Former United players like Gary Neville and Nicky Butt have already gone on to describe him as one of the best young players they have ever seen. Greenwood has extended his contract with the Red Devils and we can expect to see him as a firmly established player at Old Trafford in no time.

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Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)

He hasn't gotten the same recognition as the other two players in this list but Bukayo Saka has been just no less impressive with his performances. He made his debut for Arsenal during the 2018/19 Europa League season but it was during the last season that he cemented his place in Arsenal's first team.

Saka has made 29 appearances across all competitions this season and racked up three goals along with nine assists. Four of those assists have come in the Premier League itself and that came despite the fact that he played out of his natural position. Although he’s primarily a winger, Saka played in the left-back position for the Gunners, which speaks for his versatility as a player a bright future in the waiting.

Feature image courtesy: Oli Scarff