With an abundance young talent in the Premier League, picking and choosing the top bunch becomes extremely difficult. Here, I have listed down some exciting young midfielders (less than 25 years of age at the time of writing) who I believe will stand out in the 2023/24 Premier League season. From sure-shot starters to younger and inexperienced teenagers, the list attempts to provide room for all.
Also read: Top 10 attacking midfielders in Premier League right now
Taking the top spot on this list is Arsenal’s Martin Ødegaard. The Norway international has been brilliant since joining the Gunners permanently following his loan spell with them in the second half of the 2020/21 campaign.
Ødegaard has since been entrusted with the captain’s armband under Mikel Arteta’s guidance. He scored 15 goals and provided eight assists in 37 Premier League appearances last season. He will be important to the north London outfit’s success in the this season’s campaign.
Few defensive midfielders are valued as highly as this Argentina international. Fernández completed his big-money move from Benfica to Chelsea for a reported fee of €121 million in January 2023. The move followed a successful World Cup in Qatar that saw the 22-year-old lift the trophy alongside his national team captain, Lionel Messi.
Last season, the Blues had a campaign to forget as they finished 12th in the league. This season, much of the work in midfield will be placed on Fernández’ shoulders, and it will be interesting to see how he responds to the challenge.
Argentina international Alexis Mac Allister is one of three Liverpool players to make this list. After winning the World Cup with Argentina in Qatar last year, Mac Allister managed to secure his big move to Liverpool on the back of some scintillating performances for Brighton & Hove Albion. The Reds paid a reported fee of £35 million for the services of the 24-year-old midfielder.
Mac Allister is an exciting prospect for the neutral football fan in terms of his positioning. Primarily a number eight, he can play slightly ahead of the position or slightly more defensive. The former Brighton man played occupied a more defensive role in the middle for Liverpool’s Premier League opener against Chelsea in the absence of a natural number six.
Caicedo has just come out of one of the biggest Premier League transfer sagas of recent times. Despite reports claiming that Brighton had agreed a deal with Liverpool for the Ecuador international, the player ultimately ended up inking an agreement with Chelsea, signing a deal set to run until 2031. The Blues reportedly paid a fee of £115 million to acquire his services.
Caicedo quickly made his mark on English football after joining Brighton in February 2021. The player primarily plays in defensive midfield but can be used as a number eight, if need be. Last season, the 21-year-old made 37 league appearances, providing one goal and assist each.
It is easy to forget that Rice is still quite young given he has been a mainstay in the Premier League for a while now. The Englishman earned his much-awaited big-money move to Arsenal ahead of the 2023/24 season. The Gunners reportedly paid £105 million for the services of the former Hammers skipper.
It will be interesting to see how Mikel Arteta uses the 24-year-old midfielder in his side over the course of this season. So far, the Spanish tactician has utilised the player in the number six and number eight roles.
Carney Chukwuemeka is certainly one of those youngsters who could make it big in the Premier League. The 19-year-old midfielder plays his football at Chelsea and featured in the starting XI for their opening Premier League fixture against Liverpool.
Chukwuemeka can occupy attacking midfield and central midfield roles. However, given that the Chelsea manager, Mauricio Pochettino, preferred a back-five in his opening game of the season, Chukwuemeka’s chances will depend a lot on whether Chelsea play with three midfielders or two.
Up next on the list is Newcastle United’s new summer signing, Sandro Tonali. The Italy international got on the scoresheet in his first Premier League appearance against Aston Villa. The 23-year-old midfielder often plays in a defensive-minded role in the middle of the park.
Tonali signed from AC Milan this summer for a reported fee of €64 million. The Magpies finished fourth in the league last year, which means the youngster will play in the Champions League this season with his new employers. It will be interesting to see how Newcastle go about their business in the 2023/24 campaign.
Dominik Szoboszlai joined the Reds ahead of the 2023/24 campaign from German Bundesliga club RB Leipzig. The Hungarian primarily plays in a central attacking midfield role but can also occupy wide positions, if need be.
Szoboszlai started in a more advanced role compared to new teammate Alexis Mac Allister in Liverpool’s 1-1 Premier League opener against Chelsea. The 22-year-old looks like an exciting prospect for Jürgen Klopp. He enjoyed runs into the opposition penalty box and provided legs while defending for Liverpool in the first game.
Liverpool’s Stefan Baj?eti? had his breakthrough season last year as he made 11 Premier League appearances. The 18-year-old will be looking for more game time under Jürgen Kopp this season, given the Reds’ lack of depth in the defensive midfield area.
The club failed to sign Moisés Caicedo from Brighton and lost Fabinho, James Milner and Jordan Henderson this summer. Considering Thiago’s injury problems, Klopp could turn to Baj?eti?. However, the Spain U18 international has had injury concerns of his own. He missed 13 games across all competitions last season due to fitness issues.
Considering Manchester City’s departures, 23-year-old Phil Foden could be used in a central midfield role this season. Kevin De Bruyne picked up an injury in City’s Premier League opener against Burnley, and Pep Guardiola’s men lost ?lkay Gündo?an in the summer as well. Given the lack of central midfield options, Guardiola could turn to Foden.
The left-footed England international could see more game time as compared to last season. He started 22 Premier League games last season and was often used in wide roles.
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