'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The Premier League is often criticised for being a graveyard for young players. Many clubs get sharp criticism from pundits and ex-players about the lack of youngsters playing first team football.
However, some clubs follow a different principle - one that is not linked with age. That has led to some youngsters flourishing in the league.
"If you are good enough, you are old enough" - Sir Matt Busby
In this list we delve into the shallow end of understanding who are the young players pundits keep talking about to point to five brilliant U-23 performers in the Premier League this season. The deep end must be tackled as well but that is for another time!
#5 Jordan Pickford (Everton)
It is not often that a player emerges unscathed from a horror campaign that ends in finishing rock bottom. Jordan Pickford as a goalkeeper deserves extra credit because of the number of goals Sunderland shipped last season.
Everton decided that Pickford would be phenomenal with a decent defence in front of him and paid £30 million for his services. In his time so far Pickford has saved the Toffees from shipping in at least half the chances that they let in in their horrid start to the season.
Despite having only one Premier League clean sheet, Pickford has drawn plaudits for his dominant displays in goal for Everton and his performances earned him an England debut against Germany.
Germany legend Micheal Ballack complimented Pickford's performance and the former Sunderland keeper's confidence could not be higher. At only 23 he is already challenging the perception that Jack Butland is England's best goalkeeper with a vocal section of pundits and ex-pros claiming the Pickford could become the England no.1 for a long time.
His command in the box is impressive and Pickford could improve on organising his defenders but by being vocal, authoritative and brave he also seems like leadership material.
#4 Harry Winks (Tottenham Hotspur)
Harry Winks made his Spurs debut away at Partizan in 2014, after which he did not play for the senior side for the next couple of seasons. In the 2016/17 season, Winks was given a run of games in the side and began forcing himself in the centre of midfield.
After making 21 appearances, Winks suffered a bizarre injury at Burnley and that ruled him out for the season. He is considered a Pochettino-favourite and has made 12 appearances in all competitions this season at the moment.
He is a very solid passer of the ball and is mobile in the centre of the park. Winks has been excellent this season and was called up to the senior England squad in October for their last qualification games against Lithuania and Malta.
He played in a 1-0 win over Lithuania and returned to Spurs in great touch. Injury ruled him out of the last few games for Spurs and England but he seems like the first name on the team sheet for both his club and national manager.
#3 Joe Gomez (Liverpool)
Joe Gomez joined Liverpool from Charlton Athletic a few seasons ago and he quickly earned rave reviews in his appearances under Brendan Rogers. However, he suffered an injury and his season and progress was cut short just as he was growing more and more in confidence.
The long term injury forced him to sit out and watch Liverpool experiment with one player after another in their defensive set-up and see other young players like Trent Alexander Arnold make their presence felt.
But Rodgers, the Northern Irish manager who had thrust Gomez in the deep end of the Premier League, was sacked and Jurgen Klopp joined the Reds. He was restricted to Cup games, with form and fitness not fully regained and he finished last season as a back-up.
His ability to play across the back four meant that this season would see him resume his first team career like it had never stopped. He has made nine league appearances and been an important fixture in the Champions League games for Liverpool.
His form has earned him an England call-up and Gomez made his debut against Germany recently. Gomez's impact is so high that one could never tell that he has played just 14 league games for Liverpool.
It seems like he has been there forever.
#2 Leroy Sane (Manchester City)
The German international has been sensational for the Citizens this season and his link-up play with Kevin De Bruyne, Sergio Aguero, and Gabriel Jesus have provided City a brand of scintillating football.
Sane's skill on the ball and his vision is such that it is unimaginable to think that he is only 21. He had earlier played at Schalke 04 for two years before joining City for £37 million.
That fee is money very well spent. It is almost a snip in the current transfer market where a £100 million transfer is not a barrier elite clubs think twice about paying for top talent.
Sane has both potential and the ability to deliver on the pitch at the moment and he has proved this season that he is already close to being world-class. Sane was short-listed for the PFA Young Player of the Year last season and is a sure shot to be nominated once more this year.
He has six goals and five assists in the Premier League along with two assists in the Champions League. He has played in every single Premier League game so far showing how much Pep Guardiola values and trusts him.
#1 Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City)
Aged just 20, Jesus is threatening City's all-time leading scorer Sergio Aguero's place in the side when fit. He has all the talent and consistency to become City's ace striker in the near future after joining the club in January thanks to 14 goals in 20 games.
It goes beyond scoring as well with his pace and off-ball positioning allowing Kevin De Bruyne and Leroy Sane to get involved in attack.
The Brazil international has some weaknesses in his game but they haven't been exposed yet. Such has been his form this season that Aguero wasn't missed when he was injured.
When Aguero has played, Jesus has been magnificent with the star, linking up and creating space for the Argentine to excel and filling in when Aguero drags people with him.
He has helped bring fluidity to City's front line which is fearsome for every Premier League opponent and European rivals as well.
The Etihad faithful have a real gem on their turf and it would not be surprising to see Jesus at Real Madrid or Barcelona if City fail in their quest to conquer Europe soon.
