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#7 Declan Rice | West Ham United | Age: 21
West Ham's combative lynchpin Declan Rice is quickly becoming one of the most effective deep-lying midfielders in the league. His form, mainly since the restart of football, has been eye-catching, to say the least.
Although this isn't his breakthrough season per se, it definitely has been a defining campaign in the young defensive midfielder's career. Rice has played a staggering 3,330 minutes of league football for the Hammers, and could complete the season without missing a single minute. The 21-year-old has been consistent during this run as well, averaging 3.1 tackles a game and completing 85.6% of his attempted passes.
He's combined his no-nonsense approach to winning the ball back relentlessly with superb line-breaking passes from deep. The midfielder won 70 out of the 93 tackles he's attempted, ranking as one of the best figures in the league. Although Rice began his career as a centre-half, he looks comfortable in midfield and is already on the radar of Chelsea and Manchester United.
It won't be long before England pin their hopes on him to anchor their midfield on the international stage as well.
#6 Aaron Wan-Bissaka | Manchester United | Age: 21
One of Manchester United's two marquee defensive summer signings, Aaron Wan-Bissaka has had an impressive start to life as a Red Devil. Despite 2019/20 being the Englishman's second full season as a senior player, he's done remarkably well to solidify the right side of United's defence.
Wan-Bissaka has started 33 games for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side in the league, racking up four assists in the process. The right-back has amassed over 3,000 minutes of Premier League football and averaged a whopping 3.6 tackles per game. He has made the most number of successful tackles in the top-flight as well.
Although his offensive game has improved through the course of the season, Manchester United's #29 still has a way to go in that regard. However, the £50m signing's notable defensive prowess has been on full display, and he has contributed massively to the joint third-best defence in the league.
Wan-Bissaka is set to make the right-back spot at Old Trafford his own for the foreseeable future, and he is likely to get even better.
#5 Bukayo Saka | Arsenal | Age: 18
Bukayo Saka's meteoric rise has been one of the only shining rays of hope in what has been a dismal season for the Gunners. The 18-year-old has been an immaculate performer for Arsenal this season and has displayed a wide array of skills in his locker.
Primarily played as makeshift left-back earlier on, he gradually gained experience and was deployed in his preferred position (left-wing) by Mikel Arteta. His ability to deliver pinpoint passes to find his teammates, combined with his composure on the ball make Saka a reliable player.
Perhaps his most commendable ability is his versatility. Saka has played at left-back, central midfield, left midfield, left-winger, right-winger, and other positions in 38 games across all competitions for Arsenal.
He has made smart decisions with the ball and looked comfortable playing at a senior level, although this is his first year. With 12 assists overall to show for, he's Arsenal's first teenager to have over ten in a season since Cesc Fabregas. Bukayo Saka went from being Hale End's crown jewel to that of the Emirates and is set to be Arsenal's new #7 next year.
#4 Phil Foden | Manchester City | Age: 20
Manchester City's prized asset Phil Foden has always touted to be the future for both club and country. The creative midfielder has made headlines ever since he was awarded the Golden Ball at the U-17 World Cup. He scored two goals in the 2017 event's final and guided the Young Lions to glory.
Foden, a gifted left-footed player, primarily occupies the role of a creative midfielder. His versatility has been tested in his career so far at City, having played on both wings, as a wing-back, and as a central midfielder by Pep Guardiola.
His ability to drift past players and manoeuver the ball in tight spaces is simply sublime. An elegant player on the ball, Foden has often displayed his vision to pick the perfect pass. Speaking on the 20-year-old starlet, his manager Guardiola said;
"I’ve seen many players in my life – I have trained incredible, incredible players and Phil [Foden] will be one of them."
Despite his undeniable talent, he has unfortunately not seen as much game time as many others have on this list. The Stockport-native has played just 847 minutes of league football this season, but scored five goals and set up a further two. Nonetheless, he is undoubtedly one to watch out for in the 2020/21 season.
Also read: 5 Most valuable U-23 forwards in the world
