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The English Premier League has some of the best talents in world football, and Premier League clubs spend a lot of money in their youth systems to identify young talents and nurture them.
Players like Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Frank Lampard, and Steven Gerrard were some of the most successful products of the English youth system. England's U-17 World Cup success in India was undeniably the result of great youth development infrastructure in England.
Young players from across the globe prefer to continue their development in some of these great academies
Let's see who makes the cut to the best Premier League teenage XI at the moment:
Formation: 4-3-3
NOTE: Some of these players haven't yet made their Premier League debut, but are expected to do so in the near future.
Goalkeeper
Curtis Anderson (Manchester City)
Age: 17
The hero for England in the 2017 U-17 World Cup in India, Manchester City’s goalkeeper Curtis Anderson played a key role in England's World Cup triumph. He was the key in England's penalty shootout win over Japan in the quarter-finals.
He currently plays for Manchester City's U-18 team and one of the best teen goalkeepers in the country. At only 17, he is tall, quick and has a good pair of hands. He anticipates well and has an exceptional positioning awareness. He himself is a spot-kick taker and that helps in understanding the mind of strikers.
He is still a few years away from the first team but has all the qualities to be a great keeper, and is undoubtedly a perfect candidate to stand between the sticks.
Defenders
Right-back: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)
Age: 19
At Just 19, he was one of Jurgen Klopp's important player at the right-back in Nathaniel Clyne's absence. He made his Liverpool debut at 18 and went on to make 12 appearances for Liverpool in his debut season.
He was Liverpool's Young Player of the Season 2016–17. He represented England at all youth levels and made his UEFA Champions League debut against Hoffenheim in August 2017.
Defensively, he is solid, sharp in tackles and is not afraid to throw himself into blocks. Going forward, he is composed on the ball, has a great vision and can cross the ball beautifully.
Centre-back: Timothy Fosu-Mensah (Crystal Palace, on loan from Manchester United)
Age: 19
On a season-long loan at Crystal Palace, Manchester United's Dutch defender Timothy Fosu-Mensah is one of the best young defenders in England. At only 19, he is tall, strong and has all the qualities of a good defender.
He made his debut for United in 2016, when he was just 18, and has already played 12 times for Manchester United over the past couple of seasons.
With a plethora of centre-backs at United, like Chris Smalling, Phil Jones, Victor Lindelof, Marcos Rojo and Eric Bailly, Fosu Mensah's first team chances were limited and United sent him to Palace for more game time. Jose Mourinho definitely sees the potential in him and if he continues his development, he can become a United regular in a year or two.
In his 12 Premier League appearances, he has attempted 4.5 tackles per 90 minutes, which is excellent for any defender. He is surprisingly quick for a defender and has good body strength. Too good to ignore.
Centre-back: Axel Tuanzebe (Manchester United)
Age: 19
Axel Tuanzebe has got Jose Mourinho thinking in recent times. He showed that he was too good for the Premier League 2 and whenever he was given a first-team chance, he showed how comfortable he was, playing in the top flight. He made his United's debut in January 2017 and appeared 4 times for Manchester United in the past.
He is yet to make a league appearance this season, but was named on the bench on few occasions. Capable of playing as a right-back, or as a holding midfielder, Tuanzebe personally prefers to play in the heart of defence.
He is knocking on the door for regular first team chances and Mourinho has eventually got to give him some chances to show that he trusts him.
The kid from Congo shows a lot of maturity for a 19-year-old, and has abundant pace. He is athletic and can outmuscle attackers, and can also read the game beautifully, rarely making rash tackles.
Left-back: Lewis Gibson (Everton)
Age: 17
His quality was rightly identified, when Everton paid £6 million (including add-ons) for the then 16-year-old left-back. He was one of one of Newcastle’s brightest stars, and Everton did not wait to invest in him. Gibson operates primarily as a left-back but he can also play as a centre-half.
Lewis Gibson is still too young and a few years away from the first team opportunities, but the potential is always there. He played for England in the U17 World Cup, in India, and is playing for Everton's U-23 side this season. Definitely a talent for the future.
Midfielders
Left midfield: Phil Foden (Manchester City)
Age: 17
Phil Foden scored twice in the U-17 World Cup final to help England lift the trophy. Foden was awarded the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player. Pep Guardiola seems to be aware of his potential and gave him a lot of first-team opportunities during the preseason tour to the United States.
He is yet to make his Manchester City debut, but has played for England at all the youth levels.
He can be a typical Pep Guardiola player and Manchester City are said to be monitoring his progress very closely. It is too soon for him to get regular first team chances, but eventually, he will certainly get opportunities, considering the quality he possesses.
The Englishman is a clever midfielder and can play anywhere in the midfield. He is quick with the ball and shows a great passing range, and is not afraid to go into tackles. A truly gifted midfielder, indeed.
Central midfield: Tom Davies (Everton)
Age: 19
At just 19, Tom Davies has already made 37 Premier League appearances for Everton in his career. He plays in the centre of the midfield for Everton and the England U21 team. He made his Premier League debut at the age of 17, and went to become a regular for Everton this season. Notably, he was Everton's Young Player of the Season for the 2016–17 season.
At only 19, Davies has already had a full season with Everton, and he will only get better with more game time. He has all the potential to be England's central midfielder for many years to come, and is in the right club to continue his development.
Tom Davies is a composed player, good in possession, calm under pressure, tackles well and played a lot of top-flight games for a 19-year-old.
Right midfield: Reiss Nelson (Arsenal)
Age: 17
A product of the Arsenal academy, Reiss Nelson is an attacking midfielder capable of playing on either flank. He made his Arsenal debut against Chelsea in the 2017 Community Shield and has made 6 appearances for Arsenal this season, showing a lot of promise every time he has played for Arsenal.
He is a regular for England at youth levels and a regular for Wenger in Cup games and the Europa League. He is only 17 and with the right exposure, he can develop into one of the best midfielders in England.
He’s got electric pace, an excellent first touch and is confident in tight areas. He is also an excellent dribbler and has an eye for goal all the time.
One of the best to come out of Arsenal academy in recent times.
Strikers
Left forward: Brahim Diaz (Manchester City)
Age: 18
The 18-year-old Spanish midfielder is rated as one of the best young talents in England. He plays as an attacking midfielder and was good in the pre-season for City. He is yet to make his senior appearance for Manchester City, but already started attracting interest from top European clubs, especially Real Madrid.
Brahim Diaz plays for Manchester City's U-23 side, and signed a three-year professional contract with them in 2016. But Pep Guardiola knows it will be a tough task to keep him at Manchester City for long.
He is excellent at his level, energetic, can beat defenders for fun, and possesses a good finishing ability. It will be surprising if he doesn't become a household name in the future.
Centre forward: Ben Woodburn (Liverpool)
Age: 18
Liverpool's youngest ever goalscorer, the rise of Ben Woodburn has been phenomenal over the last 12 months. He progressed quickly through Liverpool's youth ranks as he made his Liverpool senior debut last year.
He has made 10 appearances so far, and was Liverpool's Academy Player of the Season 2016/17 for his excellent performances with the U-23 side.
At only 17, he made a stunning debut for Wales in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers, with a 25-yard wonder strike in a 1–0 win against Austria. At only 18, he is fearless and composed in-front of goal. He is also one of the most exciting young strikers, and with Jurgen Klopp in-charge of Liverpool, Ben Woodburn is with a coach who always believes in young talents.
He is pacy and has an eye for goal from pretty much anywhere on the pitch. He is not afraid to shoot and is excellent in set-pieces. He already made his International debut and too good to be ignored.
Right forward: Angel Gomes (Manchester United)
Age: 17
The brightest star of Manchester United's youth system, Angel Gomes became the youngest-ever recipient of the Jimmy Murphy Player of the Year award in May 2017. He currently plays for United's U-18 outfit, and is considered as one the most exciting talent in English football.
He made his United debut at the age of 16, becoming the first player born this century to play in the England's top-flight. He is already attracting lot of interest from across Europe and Jose Mourinho can't ignore him for too long.
Predominantly an attacking midfielder, Gomes' pace and ability with the ball allow him to play in a variety of positions, as and when required.
Still very small for a 17-year-old, he is a creative player, composed in possession and excellent in dribbling. Apart from his versatility, he has got quick feet, can beat defenders at will and is an excellent finisher.
Will he be the next big thing in world football? Only time will tell.
