Too good for their age ? A look at the top performing players age 23 and under in the Premier League this season

Premier League, the most prophesied league in the world has seen some of the young talents in football make it recently that one tends to forget the age of this players due to their intelligence performances. But not to be gone unrecognized, we take a look at the best players under the age of 23 who have been impressive in the league as we approach the first half of the season.

Reece James and Mason Mount have had a good start to the season. (Photo by James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images)

12. Marc Cucurella

The Spanish left winger arrived from Getafe in the summer and has settled down quickly into the Graham Potter’s team. So far this campaign, he has been Brighton’s most consistent performer and has made 12 league appearances.

For a 23 year old left back, who can also play as a left Midfielder, Cucurella gives Potter quality as well as different approach to the game. He might be yet to produce any attacking returns but has created 18 chances for his teammates. With time, that will also come for the former Barcelona man.

11. Trevoh Chalobah, 22

A 22 year old defender, getting eight league starts in a Chelsea team stacked with quality and experience in that section is a testament to the brilliance of Trevoh Chalobah, who is fast becoming one of the fans favourite at Stamford Bridge.

In the eight games Chalobah has started in the league, Thomas Tuchel side have kept five clean sheets, while the player also got on the score sheet twice. The early signs are promising for a player who has come through the ranks and impressing at the top level with the first team.

10. Tino Livramento, 19

Left Chelsea in the summer in search of regular first team football and hasn't Tino Livramento done himself a world of good with his move ? He has started all of Southampton’s league game this season despite being only 19 and recently graduated from Chelsea’s academy.

Tino Livramento has been a revelation in his debut season at Southampton. (Photo by Andrew Matthews/PA Images via Getty Images)

Livramento look not like a player in his debut season in first team football. His calmness in defense and maturity on the ball makes him a dream fullback for any side. Going forward, he has made 13 key passes, which might seem low until you realize only two Southampton player have more.

Amongst Southampton players in the league, he has completed the most dribbles and made the most interceptions. He also has a goal his name and is their best rated player so far. A dream debut season he is having, which might be rewarded with a move to more prominent clubs.

9. Aaron Ramsdale, 23

Goalkeepers tend to get little plaudit for their part in games but Aaron Ramsdale of Arsenal could be an exception. The previous two seasons in the league while he was at Bournemouth and Sheffield United, many would have thought only few goalkeepers in the league could be worse.

This was because the Goalkeeper endured tough spells at both clubs, relegating them in consecutive season and conceding 125 league goals in the two season, in 75 appearances. The England shot stopper was not a goalkeeper Arsenal fans were ready to have compete with Bernd Leno.

However now, after just three months into his time at the club, he has become a fan favourite, keeping eight clean sheets in 14 games for the club, including seven in the Premier League.

Despite playing less games compared to the top goalkeepers in the top-flight, only Alisson Becker and Ederson Moraes have more clean sheets than Ramsdale. He also has be most average saves per game, 3.9, and only four goalkeepers, Kasper Schmeichel, Jose Sa, Tim Krul and David de Gea have more than his 51 saves, despite playing less games.

23 year old is one for the future for Arsenal and in a surrounding of you g players, the time is there to get even better and create more chemistry among one another.

8. Grabriel Magalhães, 23

The Brazilian is the key part of the Arsenal defense and his return from injury has seen them kept seven clean sheets in 13 league games while also getting on the score sheet twice.

Gabriel Magalhães returns from injury has improved Arsenal defensively and in overall play. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Gabriel brings more confidence and stability to a leaky Arsenal defence in his absence. One of the top performing center half so far and his call-up to the Brazilian National Team a reward of his consistency at club level.

7. Reece James, 22

Despite being a defender, only Mason Mount has scored more goals than Reece James for Chelsea in the league this season. His four league assists is the best for Chelsea players this season and in good peace, he has finally succeeded in displacing Cesar Azpilicueta from the starting XI.

Undoubtedly talented, both in defense and attack, only few fullbacks in the world have the balance of James at both end of the pitch. Tough to beat in one on one situations and very quick in attack, with feet for powerful shots.

At 22, he is unarguably one of the best at what he does and if able to continue his blistering form, will be in contention for the young best player in the league come the end of the season.

6. Phil Foden, 21

Phil Foden has been up and doing this season after a successful campaign in the last one which saw him win the young PFA player of the season. He is one of the stars in a star studed Manchester City side and has produced moments of qualities that have viewers marveling.

He has made just eight starts in the league and produced three goals and two assists, creating 18 chances and completing 312 of his passes, which is at a percentage of 90.

However, many will see it as a rather slow start and that is a testament of the standard the 21year old has set. But he will be looking to get more playtime once the African Cup of Nations kickoff, and Riyad Mahrez leaves to represent his nation.

5. Conor Gallagher, 21

Even Thomas Tuchel will be eating his words now seeing the performances showcased by the 21year old week in and out for The Eagles. The Midfielder was reportedly told by the Chelsea manager to find a club ahead of the season as he is not yet in his plans.

Conor Gallagher celebrates scoring for Crystal Palace against Everton. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Image)

Over three months into the season and his time at Palace, Gallagher is one of the best players so far in the league. He has the Eagles flying, much to the delight of their French manager Patrick Vieira, who showed interest in hiring the services of the player for a year.

Gallagher has made 15 appearances for Palace, scoring six goals and registering three assists, making him the player with the most goal contributions in the team.

In comparison with other Palace players, he is miles ahead. His contributions at both ends of the pitch is unmatched. He has created the most goal scoring opportunities for his teammates and is the factor that makes the Patrick Vieira’s side click.

4. Emile Smith Rowe, 21

It can be boldly said that Emile Smith Rowe has been Arsenal’s best player in a year now since he started against Chelsea last year December. He has been very consistent despite the ups and downs of the Gunners.

This season, after Arsenal overcame their early season struggles, he has been one of the best players in the top-flight, producing five goals and two assists in nine games since matchday six.

One of the most important players in a young Arsenal squad with lots of potentials to do well in the future. Emile Smith Rowe has been tipped to be one of the contenders for the young PFA player of the season award by Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher at the start of the season and the player is indeed walking and working in the right path.

3. Mason Mount, 22

Beaten to the young PFA player of the season award by compatriot Phil Foden, Mason Mount has started the season better and will be eyeing the prize come the end of the season. He has become even better as though he has not at all been impressive in the seasons before.

It took him 29 and 30 league games to reach ten goal contributions in the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons respectively. This season, it has taken him just 13 games and has been a more goal threat than Chelsea’s main strikers.

The world is at the feet of the 22year old, who finished with a rating of 19th in the Balon d'Or and consistency in performances like this will see him get better recognition in the coming years. Mount is without a doubt one of the future stars of football.

2. Declan Rice, 22

For a player of West Ham United to be this high on the list, it shows how good Declan Rice has been this season. No question about him being the best in his position in the Premier League so far this season. It is also mind-blowing to realize he is only 22.

Declan Rice has played every minute of action in the league this season and have The Hammers in the top four as we approach the end of the first half of the season. He is their most important player, one of Premier League’s best so far.

The Midfield has been the strength of West Ham United in games, and along with Tomas Soucek, Declan Rice has helped West Ham become a threat with consistent performances. His reads the game well and his decision makings have been spot on, portraying all the qualities you need in a Midfielder.

Moreso, he has also been able to equal his highest goal involvement in a league season after just 16 games played, one goal, three assist and he will be needed to remain at his best should West Ham United be looking to retain a position in the top four come the end of the season.

1. Trent Alexander-Arnold, 23

It is said that the Liverpool man is the best player that plays as a right-back but not the best right-back. Trent Alexander-Arnold has completely transformed the game and changed the perspective to viewing a fullback.

Not the best player defensively but one of the best players in attack, on another level compared to other fullbacks. Deadly on set-piece duty, great crosser and passer of the ball, he's got so much flair, too much for a fullback.

His recent performances has won him the Premier League Player of the month of November. Alexander-Arnold has produced seven league assists this season, only teammate, Mohamed Salah has manager more and he has also scored a goal.

Trent Alexander-Arnold has transformed defending into playmaking. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)

Only Bruno Fernandes, 45, has created more chances than him, 44, this season but he edged the Portuguese on average creation per game as he only played 14 games.

He might not be the best defender but Liverpool have the best defensive record in the league with ten clean sheets, and only Manchester City have conceded less chances from the opposition that Liverpool. Hence, it can be said that the 23year old is not weak in defense either.

So far, it can be said that the Liverpool Academy graduate is the best player aged 23 and under in the Premier League this season.

Author: Afolabi Kehinde Hassan