The Next Generation: Who have been the Premier League’s standout teenagers this season?

Tom Dunstan
While the likes of Casemiro and Kevin De Bruyne might have continued to take the Premier League by storm this season, there have been plenty of blossoming superstars who have burst onto the scene. With England’s top-flight forced into a winter break due to the 2022 Qatar World Cup, it has been more important than ever that managers have been able to utilise their squad depth. Although some Premier League teams might have elected to break the bank during the January transfer window, a few clubs have chosen to put faith in their homegrown talents. In a campaign that has seen the new generation make plenty of waves, we have taken a look at some of the Premier League’s breakout teenagers. Erling Haaland is young enough to qualify for the PFA Young Player of the year award and the bookies are taking no chances on him collecting that crown – the best odds for Haaland to be Young Player of the Year is 4/7 with the Bet Victor sign-up offer where you will get £30 in bonuses if you register.  

Rico Lewis – Manchester City

Although Rico Lewis might have been almost unheard of just a couple of months ago, the 18-year-old defender has essentially become a household name overnight. Watching Joao Cancelo complete what was a stunning loan switch to Bayern Munich on January’s Deadline Day, Lewis has been thrust into the limelight and now appears to be an essential part of Pep Guardiola’s plans. With Manchester City reaching the halfway point of this season’s campaign priced at 5/4 to defend their Premier League crown, the Bury-born star has featured in all bar one of City’s top-flight appearances since returning from the World Cup interval. Watching Cancelo make the move to Germany and forcing England international Kyle Walker onto the sidelines, Lewis has received a string of praise from Guardiola and has undoubtedly been one of the Premier League’s breakout stars this season. Already bagging a first Champions League goal as City claimed a 3-1 victory against Sevilla on November 2nd, Lewis has also been touted for an England call-up in 2023.  

Alejandro Garnacho – Manchester United

Bagging a last-gasp winner at Craven Cottage as Manchester United entered the World Cup break with a 2-1 victory against Fulham, Alejandro Garnacho has skyrocketed himself into superstardom this season. Building his reputation after dominating in United’s youth team ranks, the 18-year-old has been handed a real chance by Erik ten Hag and has certainly impressed many around Old Trafford over recent months. Now a regular part of ten Hag’s matchday squad and regarded to be among the most exciting prospects to have come out of their academy, Garnacho has already opened both his Premier League and European account this season. With the English heavyweights priced at 4/11 to secure a much-needed top-four finish in 2023, many expect Garnacho will have a key role to play in United’s bid to bring a piece of silverware back to Old Trafford. With the Red Devils still firing in four separate competitions, it is no surprise why ten Hag is so desperate to get their homegrown product tied down to a new long-term deal. Alejandro Garnacho is an outsider in the PFA Young Player of the Year odds at 40/1 with Bet Victor.  

Levi Colwill – Brighton

Booking their spot in the fifth round of this year’s FA Cup on January 29th as they snatched a last-gasp 2-1 victory against Premier League giants Liverpool, Brighton are enjoying what has been a remarkable campaign at the Amex. While the Seagulls might have been disappointed after Graham Potter jumped ship to Chelsea back in September, they have only gone from strength to strength since appointing new boss Roberto De Zerbi. Now at the heart of a maiden European charge and opening February priced at 9/5 with the 888Sport welcome offer to clinch a famous top-six finish come May, Chelsea loanee Levi Colwill has played a crucial role in Brighton’s success on either side of the World Cup break. Leaving Stamford Bridge on a season-long loan deal and tipped as a future England star, the 19-year-old has started in all bar one of Brighton’s Premier League appearances since returning from the festive interval. Continuing to gain a host of plaudits on the south coast, there will certainly be some Chelsea fans who will be wondering why Colwill was not handed a first-team chance in west London.

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Wilfried Gnonto – Leeds

While Leeds might find themselves at the heart of another relegation battle this season, the Whites do have one new attacking talisman who is spearheading Jesse Marsch’s charge for survival. Opening February priced at 4/1 with the Betfred welcome offer to lose their Premier League status come May, the ex-RB Leipzig boss will be hugely excited by Wilfried Gnonto’s immediate impact since arriving in England. Although the 19-year-old might have only arrived at Elland Road back in September for a fee as little as £3.8million, Gnonto has a string of top-flight admirers and has cemented his spot as one of this season’s best buys. Grabbing his first Premier League strike in Leeds’ 2-2 draw against West Ham on January 4th, the former Zurich star has quickly become Marsch’s key for the second-half of this year’s campaign. Already earning eight senior caps for defending European champions Italy and with his stock at a red-hot high, Gnonto certainly deserves his place among the Premier League’s hottest starlets.