Wednesday 6 January 2016 16:31, UK
The top 10 Premier League youngsters, according to the stats produced by WhoScored.com. Martin Laurence talks us through the list…
If ever there was a game that showcased some of the Premier League's brightest young talent this season it was arguably Sunday's showdown between Everton and Tottenham.
The match ended in stalemate but served as another reminder of the foundations that Mauricio Pochettino and Roberto Martinez have laid down at their respective clubs, with the likes of Dele Alli and John Stones among those to impress. Both will surely be in the running when the shortlist for the PFA Young Player of the Year is announced. Here, WhoScored.com list the top 10 players aged 21 or under using their unique statistical ratings.
10. Gerard Deulofeu (Everton) - 6.88 rating
Were it not for the seven substitute appearances he has made this season Deulofeu would surely be higher up this leaderboard. The Spaniard, while still a little frustrating at times, has improved his end product since a return to Merseyside, with only Mesut Ozil and Kevin De Bruyne laying on more assists this season. The understanding between the winger and Romelu Lukaku is clear considering there has been no more frequent 'assist to goalscorer' combination in the league this season (six times).
9. Brendan Galloway (Everton) - 6.89 rating
One of those to miss out in the aforementioned clash at Goodison Park this weekend was Brendan Galloway. The left-back deputised admirably in the absence of Leighton Baines last year, but with the England international now back fit the youngster's playing time is set to be restricted. The teenager has averaged more tackles per game (3.3) than any other Everton player this season, so will rightly feel that he should not be out of the reckoning entirely following Baines' return.
8. Raheem Sterling (Manchester City) - 6.94 rating
A modest rating of 6.94 highlights the fact that Sterling has had a hit-and-miss start to life at the Etihad by his standards. A goal against Sunderland on Boxing Day was the 21-year old's first in the league since hitting a hat-trick against Bournemouth in October, and Sterling will feel he should have netted in more than just three of his 19 league appearances thus far. That said, with decent averages in terms of key passes (1.4) and dribbles (1.3) per game his City career has been far from poor to now.
7. Chancel Mbemba (Newcastle) - 6.95 rating
The fact that 21-year old Mbemba has played in every minute of his debut Premier League campaign thus far shows that he has adapted to life in England well under difficult circumstances. Newcastle's defence has been shaky on more than the odd occasion, but the youngster has been the one bright spark in the back four for much of the season, reading the game well to average more interceptions per game (2.8) than any of his team-mates.
6. John Stones (Everton) - 7.01 rating
It's been a season that hasn't been without the odd hairy moment for Stones, but in the most part he has proven why such big things are expected of him. At 21 his composure on the ball is remarkable but his overconfidence can welcome pressure onto his side. That said, his pass success rate is the highest at Everton (89.3 per cent), while only Micah Richards has completed more dribbles (17) of all centre-backs in the Premier League.
5. Nathan Ake (Watford) - 7.06 rating
While he is in the middle of a three-match ban for an ill-advised tackle against Spurs ahead of the New Year, in the main Ake has impressed during his loan spell at Watford. Indeed there are plenty of Chelsea fans that would be happy to see him recalled to Stamford Bridge before the season's end. While that much is unlikely it's an understandable opinion, with only two players to have made more than 10 appearances making an interception more often in the Premier League this season (every 22.5 minutes).
4. Eric Dier (Tottenham) - 7.12 rating
Few would have expected Eric Dier to be quite so important to Spurs this season following the arrival of Toby Alderweireld but the youngster has adapted superbly to become a mainstay in midfield for Pochettino's men. As well as weighing in with three goals he has used his strength both on the deck (2.3 tackles per game) and in the air (2.3 aerial duels won per game) to great effect. Having been rewarded with an England call-up his target will rightly be set on claiming a place in the Euro 2016 squad.
3. Hector Bellerin (Arsenal) - 7.17 rating
It seems strange to think that not long over a year ago Hector Bellerin was the third choice right-back at Arsenal and barely considered a first team squad member. Thrown in at the deep end following injuries to Mathieu Debuchy and Calum Chambers last season, the Spaniard is now well ahead of both in the pecking order and at 20 is already considered among the strongest full-backs in the league. His attacking talent is certainly there for all to see, with only three players creating more clear-cut chances in the league this season (seven).
2. Anthony Martial (Manchester United) - 7.23 rating
He may have only recently ended something of a barren run in front of goal in the league but there's no denying the fact that Martial has been United's brightest attacking spark for much of the campaign. While some might suggest that hasn't been too difficult the youngster has made a seamless progression into English football, with five goals, two assists and an average of 2.9 successful dribbles per game - enough to rank sixth in the league.
1. Dele Alli (Tottenham) - 7.27 rating
When discussing impressive starts to life in the Premier League, however, there have been few greater than Alli's this season. The teenager has made the leap from League One to the top-flight look like child's play, scoring his fifth goal of the campaign last time out to accompany three assists to date. With 2.3 tackles and 2.4 interceptions per game added to an average of 1.9 shots per league outing, his energy in midfield has already seen the former MK Dons youngster touted as a potential starter for England at the Euros this summer.
