England premier League

It's time for the Premier League young players of the season. Not 25-year-old footballing middle-agers – actual youngsters.

He had to adapt to the Premier League amid squad rifts, changes of management and general nonsense at a club in turmoil. Unusual for someone to be both the best young player, and also the flop of the season. No goals and just one assist in the Premier League, but he’s started all but three games and continues to perform at a level which puts him right at the top of the WhoScored rankings for the club. One of a number of mercurial Watford players, along with Ismaila Sarr and Cucho Hernandez, who could move in the summer, stay in the Premier League and be brilliant. He’s got a bit of the Wayne Rooneys about him, with barrelling runs and a low centre of gravity, and Leeds would already be dead and buried without his last-gasp winner against Norwich. The poor b*stard thought he had made his dream move and woke up in a nightmare. Illan Meslier, the other viable candidate, hasn’t had a good season (even before his howler against Arsenal). His save percentage of 65.7% is the fourth worst in the division. Tyrick Mitchell and Michael Olise have been excellent, but Guehi has recently been handed the captain’s armband, such has been his positive influence on this side. As has presumably been the case throughout his career, Reece James continues to be the big kid on the playground. An English midfielder who can dribble with the ball and beat players is less of a rarity these days, but it’s still enough to make you sit up and take notice. If only he could finish; Mbeumo has comfortably the worst goals minus expected goals of anyone in the top flight on -5.2. It’s time for the Premier League young players of the season.