'%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)
Premier League has long been the well-known repository of all the brightest upcoming talents of Europe.
Whether it’s a top billing side in the division or a pushover, young guns announce themselves from any platform and make headlines in this league. And this season has been no different in that matter
Several youngsters, both English and foreign, had a breakout 2018/19 campaign in the English top-flight and left an indelible mark on their respective teams regardless of how they fared collectively. Some might have also done enough to secure a move to the upper echelons in the division.
But let’s whittle them down in a combined XI featuring the cream of the crop. Here's how a line up made of the best U23 players this season would look like
#4 Goalkeeper: Kepa Arrizabalaga (Chelsea)
The Spaniard is 24-years old, and his inclusion in a list of under-23 is not technically valid but this is a position devoid of options as most goalkeepers who had a stellar season were older than 24.
Hence the most convenient step to take in such a dilemma was to select the youngest goalkeeper from that lot who had a fine season. And turns out, Kepa Arrizabalaga it is.
Chelsea culminated a topsy-turvy campaign with a respectable third place finish and are also into the finals of the Europa League. Arrizabalaga has had a hand in both, keeping 21 clean sheets in 46 appearances across the two competitions, which is almost a shutout in every two games. And for the record, 14 of them were in the league.
This is not a bad return for a player who’s only finished his first full season in the English top-flight. He never let his world record price tag of £71 million weigh him down and instead oozed confidence inside his box.
Right-back: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)
Alexander-Arnold has only improved from his breakout season last year and become an even better player. He is faster, cleverer, and also more progressive in possession. With 12 assists in the Premier League, he’s the most prolific assist making fullback in the division. He also showed another dimension of his game by striking a wonderful free-kick against Watford, and was also in the running for the Best Young Player award.
Centre-back: Davinson Sanchez (Tottenham Hotspur)
Tottenham played large stretches of the season without Jan Vertonghen owing to his injuries. But that proved to be a blessing in disguise for Davinson Sanchez who stepped up to the plate and held the fort. Never afraid of jumping into tackles, the Colombian youngster was also good in the air. He is someone who reads the game well and also drives forward on occasions. The 22-year old scored an impeccable header against Leicester and also laid an assist on the opening day against Newcastle.
Centre-back: Issa Diop (West Ham)
The Hammers could only achieve a mid-table finish after a frankly mediocre campaign, but Diop was the one positive thing that the club faithful can take away from the season. He was consistent in his shifts and also imbued a sense of calm that belied his age. The Frenchman also garnered praise from Jose Mourinho after the 3-1 win over Manchester United in September; where the Portuguese said,
“Congratulations to the scout who found Diop, a monster who dictated everything,”.
Left-back: Ben Chilwell (Leicester City)
One of the important reasons for Leicester’s fairly successful campaign were their marauding full-backs, who contributed in both attack and defense. One of the most visible contributions was the five assists provided by 22-year-old Ben Chilwell, who has usurped Christian Fuchs to establish himself as the first choice left-back. A strong tackler and sound in possession, Chilwell not only earned his first pair of England caps, but has also invoked interest in Manchester City, who’re touted to pursue him this summer.
Central Midfielder: Declan Rice (West Ham)
Rice’s performances as a holding midfielder this season can put some of his senior counterparts to shame. Calm and composed in possession, Rice is not only very adept at reading the game but is also uncompromising in his efforts to win back possession. His sterling shifts earned him call-ups from both Ireland and England, before he swore his allegiance to the latter.
Attacking Midfielder: James Maddison (Leicester City)
England have quite a few young guns who’re touted to be the next big thing in English football. But Leicester City's, James Maddison has emerged to be the cream of the crop. The 22-year-old has excelled since his transfer from Norwich last summer, and part of that is down to a more central role he’s deployed in. It has helped Maddison unlock his creativity and also show his prodigious dribbling ability. He created a mammoth 100 chances in the league - more than anyone this season.
Left winger: Leroy Sane (Manchester City)
Premier League’s Best Young Player last season, Leroy Sane narrowly lost out to his teammate Raheem Sterling this time around, but that doesn’t mean his influence ebbed this season or so. Sane was, in fact, bright as ever, showing great speed, technique and balance to heckle defenses. His forward movements normally end up with smart decisions, which explains his prolific tally of 10 goals and 11 assists despite being heavily rotated by Pep Guardiola.
Right-winger: David Brooks (Bournemouth)
Ryan Fraser and Callum Wilson stole all the limelight in Eddie Howe’s entertaining side with a barnstorming run, but any keen observer of the Cherries will say David Brooks too had a stellar season. The 21-year old caught attention with his dribbling skills and a penchant for attempting outrageous shots. He was at his scintillating best in the 4-0 demolition of Chelsea, where he scored and assisted once each.
Striker: Richarlison (Everton)
Contrary to the initial premonitions, the Toffees seemed to have pulled off a coup instead with the £50 million outlay of Richarlison, who struck 13 times in 35 appearances.
Only Romelu Lukaku, Yakubu and Andrei Kanchelski scored more in their debut season at Everton.
The Brazilian took no time to get going, striking thrice in the first two games. His nimble movements inside the area and cutting-edge finishing proved to be the real deal to his markers, as Richarlison breathed new life in his career.
He scored against Chelsea and Manchester United, besides helping the Merseysiders salvage a point against Newcastle and Watford, and also scoring the winner at Huddersfield.
Striker: Marcus Rashford (Manchester United)
Rashford’s 2018/19 season ended in the same fashion it started - with a whimper. But his impact during Ole Gunner Solskajer’s initial few weeks was undeniable.
He finished the campaign with 10 goals and seven assists, which is the most goal contribution by a Manchester United player after Paul Pogba.
The 21-year old was especially on fire during the middling weeks, scoring six times in eight games, including four in a row from matchday 20 to 23.
During that hot streak, he struck the winner against Tottenham and Leicester City, whilst also weighing in with crucial strikes in victories to Newcastle, Watford, and Brighton.
It’s a shame that his searing run lost steam towards the end, but Rashford made a strong case for being called as one of the best young strikers in Europe.
