TOP TEN ‘Most Promising Youngsters’ In English Football (Part 1)

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1 year ago

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The CIES Football Observatory has recently published a list of the “Most Promising Youngsters” in world football.

It comprises of the best players in their respective positions under the age of 21 from across 75 leagues around the world.

CIES use a system called the “Experience Capital Method” which weighs up a footballer’s age, match level, games and minutes played to come up with a “Relative Experience” score.

Today, we will be starting a two-part series looking at the ten best youngsters currently playing in England who made the list. Press the next page as we go through the players ranked 10 to 6.

=9) Evan Ferguson (Brighton) – 2.12

Not many fans of the Premier League will need to be told about the potential of the Republic of Ireland international.

Ferguson broke into Brighton’s first team earlier this season, and the striker has scored eight times in 19 appearances for the Seagulls.

While the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United have been tracking the 18-year-old, he has recently opted to extend his contract at the south coast club

=9) Romeo Lavia (Southampton) – 2.12

Manchester City sold the Belgian to the Saints for £14m last summer and he has quickly established himself as a regular starter.

Despite Southampton’s struggles in the Premier League, Lavia has stood out, and he is already drawing interest from the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal.

City do have an option to buy back the teenager for £40m but that clause only comes into effect at the end of next season.

8) Gabriel Slonina (Chelsea) – 2.21

The Blues have recruited plenty of young players over the last twelve months but one of the most promising is the American goalkeeper.

Recruited from Chicago Fire for a fee that could rise to $15m, Slonina has already been capped by the United States at senior level.

He spent the first half of last campaign back on loan in Chicago but he returned in January to play for Chelsea’s Under 21s.

7) Callum Doyle (Manchester City) – 2.22

Doyle is a surprise inclusion this high up in the list but the Manchester City academy graduate has been impressing out on loan over the past two seasons.

The defender helped Sunderland to promotion through the League One playoffs last year, and he has continued to excel during his stint with Coventry City in the Championship this campaign.

It remains to be seen whether Doyle will return to the Etihad this summer and be considered for first-team duties by manager Pep Guardiola.

6) Rico Lewis (Manchester City) – 2.29

The fullback has had a great season, having broken into City’s first team with 19 appearances in all competitions.

Lewis does seem to be the heir to Kyle Walker, and his ability to play the inverted fullback role has earned praise from Guardiola.

The key now for the 18-year-old is to kick on and ensure he establishes himself as a regular starter over the next twelve to eighteen months.