Manchester City, Manchester United, Newcastle and Watford have fielded the best players aged 21 or under this season – do you agree?
Manchester City’s Leroy Sane (L) celebrates with Gabriel Jesus after scoring their second goal.
The youth are the future so with seven matches of the new Premier League season played and now an international break, HITC takes a look at the best players aged 21 or under so far this season.
Gabriel Jesus
Coming in to compete alongside Sergio Aguero would be a daunting task for most never mind a 19-year-old, yet since his January switch from Palmeiras to Manchester City, Jesus (now 20) has scored 12 goals in 20 matches in all competitions – including five in nine this term.
Newcastle player Mikel Merino (l) is challenged by Philippe Coutinho of Liverpool.
Mikel Merino
In what was largely a disappointing summer of transfer dealings for Newcastle United, they did pluck Merino on loan from Borussia Dortmund with the option to make it permanent – one they are likely to take up after the 21-year-old’s impressive start to life at St James’ Park.
Marcus Rashford
Thrown into the first team with what looked to be desperation by Louis van Gaal in 2016, under Jose Mourinho Rashford has developed into one of the most exciting young attacking talents in Europe at Manchester United and the 19-year-old already has five goals and four assists in 11 games this campaign.
Richarlison de Andrade (R) of Watford celebrates scoring his side’s second goal with his teammate Abdoulaye Doucoure (L).
Richarlison
Not many Watford fans were likely to have heard of the winger upon the announcement of his signing from Fluminense in August, but manager Marco Silva is shrewd in the transfer market and three league goals for the Hornets – including two in extra-time – already has supporters singing the 20-year-old’s name.
Leroy Sane
Pep Guardiola oversaw Sane’s signing from Schalke in 2016 and while his first season showed glimpses of his talent, the 21-year-old has really kicked on this time around and with five goals and two assists in 10 fixtures and is quickly becoming one of the most fearsome attacking talents in the division.
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