The Premier League has always been a league prioritizing youth, so here are the 5 best Under-21 players so far this season:
Billy Gilmour
Billy Gilmour’s talent is well documented at this point. He played a minor role in Chelsea’s Champions League title last season and contributed greatly to the Scottish national team’s success in securing a play-off place in World Cup qualification. But his now-secure gametime at Norwich after the sacking of Daniel Farke where he has begun to flourish again. Gilmour remains one of the best midfield prospects to grace the league in years, and a bountiful career is already beginning to take shape.
Tino Livramento
Southampton’s defensive issues have been somewhat historical. But up steps Tino Livramento, a former Chelsea-academy player who typically plays in a productive right-back style similar to that of Trent Alexander-Arnold. Livramento is an incredibly reliable player and has featured in every one of Southampton’s Premier League so far this season. Southampton have a really great prospect on their hands.
Bryan Gil
Bryan Gil’s transfer to Tottenham in the summer was likely one of the better things to come out of the long summer that the Spurs had to endure. Gil’s quality is shown in a Tottenham side who even after the appointment of Antonio Conte still remain a little incompetent. His brief cameos illustrate the mature investment in youth that Tottenham are beginning to make.
Michael Olise
Michael Olise is probably the most experienced player on this list, even if he is just 19 years old. Olise came through Reading before his move to Crystal Palace in the summer and notched up just under 70 Championship appearances. Experiences like these are incredibly valuable to young players, but Olise has comfortably dealt with the step up in quality to the Premier League and remains a consistent performer for Patrick Viera’s side.
Francisco Trincão
Wolverhampton’s Portuguese love affair continues, and their acquisition of Francisco Trincão on loan with the option to make it permanent from Barcelona is a very prosperous signing for Wolves. Trincão played 28 times for Barcelona last season and has excellent experience at a high-level from a young age. He is one of the brightest young wingers in the league, and likely through time he will blossom into a more established name.
