MY ACCOUNT
The Premier League is brimming with young talent and the 2022-23 season saw many of them hammer home that point.
We pick our best XI of the campaign made up of players aged 21 or under.
Goalkeeper — Gavin Bazunu (Southampton)
Republic of Ireland international Gavin Bazunu, 21, has a bright future ahead of him despite playing behind a porous Saints defence which conceded 73 goals in total.
He completed the third-highest number of final-third passes among goalkeepers in the league (74).
Right-back — Aaron Hickey (Brentford)
Scotsman Aaron Hickey, 20, established himself as a mainstay in Brentford’s XI towards the end of the season, starting 14 of the last 16 matches.
He also contributed an assist in the Bees’ penultimate game of the term — a 3-1 win at Tottenham.
Centre-back — Armel Bella-Kotchap (Southampton)
Another youngster who made a name for himself at St Mary’s despite the club’s relegation to the Championship.
Armel Bella-Kotchap, 21, ranked fifth in the Premier League for interceptions completed and third for possessions won in the defensive third per 90 minutes.
Centre-back — Levi Colwill (Brighton)
Levi Colwill, 20, excelled in a brilliant Brighton team while on loan from Chelsea.
The Southampton-born defender averaged 84.69 passes per 90, the sixth-highest total in the English top flight.
Left-back — Rico Lewis (Manchester City)
Versatile defender Rico Lewis, 18, has already won the trust of Pep Guardiola and will likely be an England regular in the near future.
Speaking about the teenager’s impact on the Citizens’ season, the Catalan boss said: “He helped us to understand what we had to do to play better.”
Central midfield — Moises Caicedo (Brighton)
A big summer move beckons for Brighton’s Moises Caicedo, with Arsenal and Chelsea heavily linked with the Ecuador ace.
The 21-year-old ranked second for both tackles and interceptions made, while also completing the sixth-most passes of any player in the Premier League.
Central midfield — Romeo Lavia (Southampton)
Romeo Lavia, 19, is another Southampton player who did his reputation no harm whatsoever in 2022-23.
The teenager’s brilliant goal in the 2-1 win over Chelsea in August was a highlight, as was his all-action display during the 3-3 draw with Arsenal last month.
Attacking midfield — Michael Olise (Crystal Palace)
Michael Olise, 21, is the first Crystal Palace player to reach double figures for assists in a Premier League season, finishing with 11 in total.
His late free-kick to salvage a point for the Eagles against Manchester United in January was also a thing of beauty.
Attacking midfield — Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
Arsenal star Bukayo Saka, 21, recently signed a new deal with the North Londoners after an exceptional individual campaign.
The England regular spearheaded the club’s title challenge, registering 14 goals and 11 assists — the fourth-highest number of direct involvements in the division.
Attacking midfield — Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal)
Saka’s partner-in-crime Gabriel Martinelli, 21, also enjoyed a superb season with the Gunners.
The Brazilian flyer gave full-backs a torrid time and netted 15 goals overall, including strikes home and away against Liverpool.
Striker — Evan Ferguson (Brighton)
Borussia Dortmund duo Jude Bellingham and Youssoufa Moukoko are the only teenagers who scored more goals in Europe’s top leagues than Evan Ferguson this term.
The Brighton starlet, 18, bagged six in total, including a match-winning double against Southampton and a goal against Arsenal in December.
Honourable mentions: Julio Enciso (Brighton), Amadou Onana (Everton), Harvey Elliott (Liverpool), Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United), Wilfried Gnonto (Leeds)
