The English Premier League is one of the most competitive football leagues in the world. Some of the world's best players are brought in to play for the clubs in this league and the management doesn't shy away from spending huge amounts of money to acquire their services as well.
However, these clubs invest in youth as well if they spot young talent, and they’re then nurtured and grown in their academies to make them world-class players. Sometimes, even while they’re still teenagers, they are given chances to showcase their talent at the highest level If they go on to impress in the limited number of opportunities given to them, they start getting chances on a more consistent basis as well.
We saw some examples of such players making their mark in the 2019/20 season of the Premier League as well and here, we will take a look at three of the most talented among them.
Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal)
The 18-year-old Brazilian forward was mainly supposed to play for Arsenal's U-23 team when the club signed him for a fee of £5 million from Brazil's third-tier team Ituano. However, Martinelli impressed the entire Arsenal management so much in training that he was fast-tracked into the senior team.
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The club gave him the chance to prove his mettle first in cup competitions like the Europa League and he grabbed the opportunity with both hands, scoring seven goals and providing four assists in a total of 12 appearances. As a result, he was handed his Premier League start later on as well and he impressed once again, scoring three goals and one assist in a total of 14 appearances, eight of which came from the bench.
Mason Greenwood (Manchester United)
Already a star at Old Trafford at just 18 years of age, Mason Greenwood has made a total of 40 appearances for the club across all competitions this season and racked up 12 goals and four assists. These numbers might not seem extraordinary but remember that he started in only 17 of those 40 appearances and keeping that in mind, the number of times he contributed is quite extraordinary. These goals also include five strikes in the Premier League itself.
Former United players like Gary Neville and Nicky Butt have already gone on to describe him as one of the best young players they have ever seen. Greenwood has extended his contract with the Red Devils and we can expect to see him as a firmly established player at Old Trafford in no time.
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Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
He hasn't gotten the same recognition as the other two players in this list but Bukayo Saka has been just no less impressive with his performances. He made his debut for Arsenal during the 2018/19 Europa League season but it was during the last season that he cemented his place in Arsenal's first team.
Saka has made 29 appearances across all competitions this season and racked up three goals along with nine assists. Four of those assists have come in the Premier League itself and that came despite the fact that he played out of his natural position. Although he’s primarily a winger, Saka played in the left-back position for the Gunners, which speaks for his versatility as a player a bright future in the waiting.
Feature image courtesy: Oli Scarff
