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15 Premier League youngsters who could have breakout 2020-21 seasons

By Kevin Parvizi

Bukayo Saka of Arsenal (Photo by James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images)
Bukayo Saka of Arsenal (Photo by James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images) /
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Manchester United, Brandon Williams
Brandon Williams of Manchester United (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images) /

Manchester United LB Brandon Williams

Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka wasn’t the only teenage fullback from a storied Premier League club to light up the Europa League in 2019-2020. While Brandon Williams didn’t bag any goals or assists to match Saka’s seven goal contributions in the competition, Williams provided quality passing, tireless dribbling, and intelligent defending to also rank among the competition’s best players.

In the Premier League, Williams was also effective, averaging 1.3 tackles per game. Williams was well-rounded on the offensive end, picking up a foul per game, winning a dribble per game, and providing nearly one key pass per contest.

There’s still room for the 19-year-old to grow, but Williams should usurp Luke Shaw as the starting left back in due time. He’s already pushed the talented Shaw plenty and has been rightfully tabbed as another future star in the city of Manchester.

HULL, ENGLAND – JANUARY 25: Callum Hudson-Odoi of Chelsea during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Hull City and Chelsea at KCOM Stadium on January 25, 2020 in Hull, England. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
HULL, ENGLAND – JANUARY 25: Callum Hudson-Odoi of Chelsea during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Hull City and Chelsea at KCOM Stadium on January 25, 2020 in Hull, England. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images) /

Chelsea LW Callum Hudson-Odoi

No longer on Bayern Munich’s radar, the versatile Callum Hudson-Odoi is now focused on making an impression at Chelsea under Frank Lampard, but the competition is stiff at the wide forward positions. Even though Willian will most likely make his exit this summer, Hakim Ziyech‘s addition as a wide playmaker doesn’t help matters.

Still, it’s easy to overlook how good Hudson-Odoi was this past season since most of his 770 Premier League minutes before the stoppage came off the bench. The 2018-2019 Europa League star recorded four assists in his limited league action, making him the team’s most efficient assist provider in the competitoin with 0.47 dishes per game.

League-wide, Hudson-Odoi was 16th in dribbles completed per 90 minutes and 19th in key passes per 90. In the Champions League, as per FBRef.com, he was second on the team in key passes per 90 behind the experienced Willian.

Just 19, Hudson-Odoi still has incredible potential despite the limited role in 2019-20. The intelligence, creativity, end product, and technical quality are all very much there. Perhaps he will put it all together in 2020-21. Christian Pulisic, Ziyech, and Hudson-Odoi could be quite the threat surrounding Tammy Abraham.

LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 01: Ruben Vinagre of Wolverhampton Wanderers crosses the ball with pressure from Serge Aurier of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on March 01, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 01: Ruben Vinagre of Wolverhampton Wanderers crosses the ball with pressure from Serge Aurier of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on March 01, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /

Wolverhampton LWB Ruben Vinagre

There is no doubt that Wolverhampton Wanderers left wing back Ruben Vinagre is a raw prospect who needs to cut down on simple mistakes, gain experience, and obtain confidence. But Wolves fans and even fans of other Premier League clubs recognize the Portuguese youngster’s massive potential.

The 21-year-old is one of Wolves’ most promising players and flashed his raw potential last season, even averaging an outstanding two interceptions per game when receiving regular playing time in the Europa League, per WhoScored.com.

In the Premier League, the versatile left wing back averaged 3.4 tackles per 90 minutes, ranking 10th in the league in this statistic. And having been dribbled past only 0.5 times per game, Vinagre was the only player in the league with at least three tackles per 90 to have been dribbled past 0.5 times or less per 90, according to WhoScored.com.

He also showed well offensively in the Europa League with 1.2 key pass per game and a staggering 2.5 dribbles per game. With more development, Vinagre could become one of the most dangerous two-way wide players in the league.

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