15 Premier League youngsters who could have breakout 2020-21 seasons
Since the 2019-20 Premier League season has been postponed due to COVID-19, it’s time to take an early look at young players who could become true stars in 2020-21.
Whether it was Manchester United’s 14-goal hero Marcus Rashford or Leicester City’s burgeoning world-class defensive midfielder Wilfred Ndidi, several young Premier League players have enjoyed magnificent 2019-20 seasons for their clubs.
However, there are so many other players under the age of 23 who are either showing serious potential in limited minutes at big clubs or are flying under the radar with teams outside the UEFA Champions League picture.
Here are 15 young Premier League players who could become stars in the 2020-2021 season.
Arsenal FW Gabriel Martinelli
Arsenal are rich in talent at the forward positions, having purchased Nicolas Pepe from Lille in the summer 2019 transfer window to form a fearsome trio with superstars Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette. While the future of the dynamic duo of Aubameyang and Lacazette is uncertain, Gabriel Martinelli’s future in North London couldn’t be brighter.
The 18-year-old only featured in 657 Premier League minutes and appeared more times off the bench than in the starting lineup, but Martinelli was a massive bright spot. He scored three goals in that limited time, then added three more goals – with two assists to boot – in 424 Europa League minutes.
He has all the tools to take the next step to greatness in 2020-21 and is wise beyond his years.
Southampton LW Moussa Djenepo
Equally capable of playing as a left winger or right winger, Moussa Djenepo split his time at both positions and was a dynamic force for the Saints when in the lineup.
Per WhoScored.com, the Mali international recorded a whopping 4.3 successful dribbles per 90 minutes and drew 1.7 fouls per game despite starting in little more than half of his games.
With fewer than 1,000 minutes played this season, Djenepo has serious breakout potential. He recorded two goals and two assists in the 2019-20 campaign for Southampton, making him the 14th-placed Premier League side’s second-most efficient player behind the experienced Danny Ings in terms of goals and assists per 90 minutes.
Don’t overlook Djenepo, because he could be the ace up the Saints’ sleeve next year.
Arsenal LB Bukayo Saka
The versatile Bukayo Saka joins teammate Gabriel Martinelli on this list, having performed ably as either a left back or left attacking midfielder for the Gunners in the 2019-20 season.
Saka was adept at creating chances for others, recording three assists in the Premier League. He was unstoppable in the Europa League, scoring twice with five assists in six appearances as one of the most impressive players in the competition before its suspension.
As a whole, no player on Arsenal averaged more assists per 90 minutes than Saka in all competitions, and only the high-priced Pepe averaged more assists per 90 among Gunners in Premier League play.
Saka is a quality defender, unselfish passer, and hard-worker who hardly seems like he is 18 years old. He is the kind of player every team dreams of having in their squad, and Saka will be a key player for Arsenal for years to come.