Premier League is a special meeting place for a number of rising stars under the age of 21.
One of the most-watched leagues in the world introduces a group of the most talented and promising young footballers of the time, while their playing quality also impacts their market value.
Let's take a look at the top 5 most valuable U21 youngsters of the Premier League in 2021.
5. Emile Smith Rowe
Club: Arsenal
Position: Attacking Midfielder
Market Value: €38m
Image Source: Getty Images
Arsenal's future is bright as they have young layers like Smith Rowe on their hands.
This talented youngster has proved that he is capable of becoming one of the best players of his time.
Mikel Arteta has many times shared his praise for the youngster. The Spanish manager believes that Smith Rowe has improved Arsenal’s attacking threat.
“His threat on goal this season has been much, much better, with the capacity that he has to create chances, to open spaces for other team-mates, and he’s been a key player. Hopefully we can sustain that over time,” Arteta said.
4. Mason Greenwood
Club: Manchester United
Position: Right Winger
Market Value: €50m.
Image Source: Getty Images
One of the most talented youngsters of the Premier League. Rising through Manchester United's academy ranks, Greenwood shows his class even before hitting the age of 20.
The Red Devils teenager has especially sparkled during the 2019/20 campaign, recording 19 goals and 4 assists in 51 games.
The new 2021/22 campaign has already started with a promising note, with the 19-year-old scoring his first goal of the season against Leeds United. It helped the England professional to reach 30 goals for United before turning 20. Only two United players (Norman Whiteside and George Best) managed to reach this result before him.
"He’s putting in performances and getting numbers. If that’s a sign of things to come from him, it’s frightening to think what he will end up doing because he’s done a lot already," former Arsenal star Ian Wright
has said of Greenwood, backing him surpass some of the Premier League's greatest players of all-time, including Wayne Rooney.
3. Bukayo Saka
Club: Arsenal
Position: Midfielder/Winger
Market Value: €65m
Image Source: Arsenal.com
"He's really humble, really respectful and at the same time has that character to demand the ball, to make decisions that are not very usual for his age. We need that leadership and he's gaining that with his attitude and his performances," Arteta
said of the Arsenal youngster earlier this year.
The 19-year-old is a unique talent, that has managed to make his professional debut for the Gunners back in 2017 under Unai Emery, though he started to feature regularly in the 2018/19 campaign.
During the last season, Saka established himself as Arsenal's one of the key players, scoring 7 goals and providing 10 assists for his side. Moreover, the teenager was included in Gareth Southgate's England national team squad for the Euro 2020.
Things went wrong for Saka in the final of the European competition, with the attacker failing to score a decisive goal in the penalty shot, which resulted in Italy's title win in the major competition. However, it was another boost for the Gunners man to improve more and more for future success.
2. Jadon Sancho
Club: Manchester United
Position: Left Winger
Market Value: €85m
Getty Images
Jadon Sancho had long been linked with Manchester United and his move finally happened during the summer transfer window.
Despite the high hopes, the England professional struggled since joining the Red Devils. Hence, his market value has been affected by his current form, dropping from €90m to €85m.
Let's be hopeful that the youngster would return to his best under the new coach Ralf Rangnick.
1. Phil Foden
Club: Manchester City
Position: Left Winger
Market Value: €85m
This young City man is just 21 years old but has already managed to record 16 goals and 10 assists in 50 games in one season (2020/21).
Like Saka, Foden has also been in Southgate's plans for Euro 2020. Meanwhile, step by step he is firming his place in Pep Guardiola's first-team squad.
"He is the most talented player I have ever seen," Guardiola
said, claiming he has never seen a player with the same potential as Foden.
Foden's market value has risen from €80m to €85m.
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