5 Youngsters to Watch as the Premier League Showcases its Youth Stars

As Premier League action is now fully underway we are saying many youth stars make a huge name for themselves with the lack in fitness for the senior men giving the younger names a chance to prove themselves.

The first week back in action was a look into how squads are set to perform in this run-in, with Arsenal learning the hard way, as they lost Granit Xhaka and Pablo Mari to injury early.

Arteta has already placed his faith in youth and against Manchester City, this was evident, with names such as Joe Willock, Eddie Nketiah and Reiss Nelson all playing a part whilst their opponents played the likes of Phil Foden and Eric Garcia.

With other managers set to follow suit, here are five potential stars of the next generation to keep an eye on in the final games of this Premier League season.

Phil Foden has become a well-known name within the Premier League already as Pep Guardiola looks to use the 'Stockport Iniesta' as the future spearhead for City.

An insanely talented attacking midfielder who won the Golden Ball as England won the U-17 World Cup in 2017, Foden is nearing a permanent spell in the first-team. The youth product scored twice, pulled the strings and looked absolutely fantastic throughout City's win over Burnley and already looks the natural heir to the impeccable David Silva.

Now 20 years old and with three goals in the first two games since the restart, Foden now seemingly found a place in the record-breaking City squad as a regular. With more opportunities on offer as the season winds down, Foden may well earn himself a place in the England set-up for Euro 2021, should he perform to the level expected of him at his club.

At just 18, Mason Greenwood has established himself as one of the hottest young talents in the world. Greenwood, who operates as a forward, made his first start for the Red Devils in a UEFA Europa League tie against Astana, and he became the club's youngest ever goalscorer in a European competition.

The Englishman has been a well-utilised figure for United this season, appearing in 38 games where he has scored 14 goals and registered four assists. His record is particularly impressive given that Greenwood has largely been used as a substitute by manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and you can bet that the young star will be heavily involved in the run-in, as United chase a spot in the Champions League.

From now until the end, this season could be seen as an audition for Greenwood as he looks to cement himself as a regular within the United starting XI for next year, and not force Solskjaer to delve into the market.

It will be difficult to believe any Arsenal fan that claims to have known about the instant impact Brazilian teenager Gabriel Martinelli would have on the Gunners after signing last summer from Ituano for €6.70m.

The 19-year-old forward, who signed a five-year deal, has made 26 appearances for Arsenal in 2019-20, scoring 10 goals and registering four assists. Martinelli has been a bright spot in an otherwise torrid campaign for Arsenal, but the Gunners faithful will be hoping for better days after overseeing the arrival of the Brazilian along with the impressive development of fellow teenager Bukayo Saka.

The potential flashed by the two youngsters has been exciting, but it is Martinelli who has truly defied expectations – his composed solo run and finish against Chelsea stands as the forward’s top moment in his breakout campaign.

Similarly to Foden, Curtis Jones became an attractive prospect during the summer of 2017 as England went on to win the U-17 World Cup.

Jones, 19, has starred for Liverpool’s U-23 side in 2019-20, scoring nine goals and racking up five assists as a wide player in just 14 appearances in the Premier League 2. He has been used sparingly by manager Jurgen Klopp in the senior side, making just eight appearances in all competitions, but Jones has still stood out.

In four FA Cup outings, Curtis Jones has scored twice – including an absolute stunner that was the only goal in a Merseyside derby win over Everton. You can expect to see more of the talented Jones as the season comes to a close, particularly given Liverpool’s healthy lead over the chasing pack in their pursuit of the title.

Along with the likes of Mason Mount, Fikayo Tomori and Reece James, Billy Gilmour appears to be the next prospect to profit from the faith of manager Frank Lampard.

A composed central midfielder, Gilmour – who only recently turned 19 – has appeared for the Blues on seven occasions in 2019-20 but burst onto the scene as the young Scot dominated Liverpool in the FA Cup. Gilmour was named Man of the Match as Chelsea saw off the Reds by two goals to nil.

You can expect to see plenty of the young midfielder before the season is over – and if rumours are to believed, Lampard is considering starting the youngster against Aston Villa in Chelsea’s first game back.

By Andrew Gamble