We are into the 30th edition of the Premier League. It is one of the most popular leagues in the world. Manchester City are the defending champions and enter this season in a bid to lift their sixth Premier League title. The Premier League is the most-watched sports league in the world, with 643 million households and potential TV viewership of 4.7 billion people watching it in 212 countries. The average Premier League match attendance for the 2018–19 season was 38,181. After two seasons, fans are back in the stadium for the 2021-22 Premier League season. This could be a huge boost for the clubs in terms of morale as well as finances.
Many top players have signed for various Premier League clubs in the summer transfer window. Many talented youngsters have also been promoted to the first team. The English Premier League has served as a launchpad for numerous talented players who have gone on to dominate Europe. This brings us to the youngsters trying to make it to the top. Here we take a look at five youngsters to watch in the new season.
1. Bukayo Saka – Arsenal
Saka joined the Gunners at the age of seven. Arsenal signed Saka to a professional deal when he was 17 and advanced him to the under-23 team. Following England's disappointing defeat in the finals against the Azzurri, Bukayo Saka has been all over the internet. But many tout the youngster as a generational talent. Last season, he was named Arsenal Player of the Season. This is a massive feat for a youngster in his early years. He scored seven goals in 46 games last season.
2. Billy Gilmour – Norwich City
Gilmour joined fellow Premier League team Norwich City on a season-long loan from Chelsea in July 2021. In a pre-season friendly against Bohemians in Dublin on July 10, 2019, newly appointed Chelsea manager Frank Lampard granted Gilmour his senior debut. During the 2019–20 season, Gilmour made 11 appearances for Chelsea's first squad. Chelsea supporters will be hoping to see Gilmour play in the midfield for Norwich this season. Gilmour also featured for his national team in the recently concluded UEFA Euro 2020 and mesmerized everyone with his performances.
3. Mason Greenwood – Manchester United
Mason Greenwood has been around for a while. Greenwood, a product of Manchester United's youth setup, is ready to take on the full-time duty of spearheading the Red Devils' assault. At the age of 17 years, 353 days, he made his debut start for Manchester United in a Europa League match against Astana in 2019, scoring to become the club's youngest ever goalscorer in European play. The nineteen-year-old player's versatility allows him to fill a variety of roles.
4. Carney Chukwuemeka – Aston Villa
Chukwuemeka joined the Aston Villa academy in March 2016 after leaving the Northampton Town academy. In July 2020, he signed his first professional deal with Villa. Chukwuemeka made his senior debut for the squad in a 2–1 away win over Tottenham Hotspur on May 19, 2021, hitting the post only minutes after joining the game. After helping the under-18s win the FA Youth Cup, the midfielder was awarded the academy's player of the season. Villa fans will be looking forward to watching the youngster excel in the new season.
5. Michael Olise – Crystal Palace
Olise was awarded the Championship's young player of the season after scoring 12 goals and assisting seven times for Reading last season. Olise signed a five-year contract with Premier League club Crystal Palace on July 8, 2021, after his £8.37 million release clause was activated. Olise is a left-footed midfielder who can also play as an offensive midfielder or winger. The initial objective for Olise is to compete with them for a spot on the side. If he can get a job at that business, the rest should be simple.
