PL young players of the year: the young ones!
While Raheem Sterling and Bernardo Silva's success is undeniable, we thought we should take a look at some of the younger players who also deserve recognition.
The PFA announced the nominees for this year, sparking debate all over again. How young is young?
While Raheem Sterling and Bernardo Silva certainly deserve credit for their performances this year, many consider them too old to be shortlisted for the PFA Young Players of the Year. So we decided to present some of the other players who deserve to be recognised as young players.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka (Crystal Palace)
The 21-year-old burst onto the Palace scene during the back end of last season and has continued to shine. Wan-Bissaka has received interest from clubs around Europe and should be a contender for the England right-back position. Winning 120 tackles this season and completing 78 interceptions, he is certainly a force to be reckoned with on the pitch.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)
The Liverpool defender has also made the PFA Team of the Year, alongside many of his Reds' teammates, and at the age of just 20 has become one of the key components of such a successful team this year. Alexander-Arnold's defensive prowess is a given, but he also provides his team with attacking flare as well, registering eight assists this season. Taking the Champions League into account, that figure rises to 10.
Ben Chilwell (Leicester)
The England left-back has a 59.4% success rate for aerial duels for his club, an astonishing figure, given that he isn't the tallest of the bunch. Chilwell also boasts pace and energy, offering Leicester a threat up front as well. Against sides likes Liverpool, Cardiff and West Ham, his four assists were crucial.
James Maddison (Leicester)
Another Leicester player in contention, Maddison has cemented his place in the former Premier League champions' side as a flexible player. At just 22 he is one of the older players in the shortlist but boasts a stunning set piece ability, earning him seven goals and six assists.
Dwight McNeil (Burnley)
Despite Burnley's downfall this season, the teenager has starred in the side having worked his way up through Manchester United's youth system. Burnley have won just 11 matches this season but 8 of those came with McNeil starting. An even more telling figure is their goal difference which has jumped from -22 to +4 when he has featured on the pitch.