Top 5 Teenagers in the Premier League: Based on Performance Data

Football stats website Squawka has harvested performance data from Opta to rank the top five teenagers in the Premier League this season.

Squawka calculates "player performance score" using a complex algorithm that scrutinises 14 million data points.

Here's more on how they come to a number:

"

It (Squawka's algorithm) awards points for every player for their every touch of the ball. It analyses whether the action was defensive, attacking or possessional and then applies further adjustments based on the player’s squad position and the area of the pitch in which the action happened.

"

With that in mind, here's their countdown of their top teenagers from England's top flight this season.

5. Romelu Lukaku (West Brom)

Romelu Lukaku has shown glimpses of his full potential for West Brom this season, where the Belgian forward is on loan from Chelsea.

SQUAWKA DATA

Age: 19

Apps: 10

Goals: 3

Chances Created: 7

Pass Accuracy: 67 percent

Performance Score: 131

Full player stats: http://www.squawka.com/players/romelu-lukaku

4. Matija Nastasic (Manchester City)

Matija Nastasic has started Manchester City's last four Premier League games. The Serbian was a surprise deadline-day signing by Roberto Mancini, but has shown enough to suggest he can be one for the future.

SQUAWKA DATA

Age: 19

Apps: 4

Tackles: 6/6

Headed Duels: 17/26

Performance Score: 150

Full player stats: http://www.squawka.com/players/matija-nastasic

3. Andre Wisdom (Liverpool)

Andre Wisdom is a graduate of Liverpool's youth system and is being tipped for big things by Reds stalwart Jamie Carragher (see Daily Mail article).

The 19-year-old defender has been trusted by Brendan Rodgers to fill Liverpool's right-back spot this season and earned largely positive reviews so far.

SQUAWKA DATA

Age: 19

Apps: 6

Tackles: 13/14

Headed Duels: 15/24

Performance Score: 155

Full player stats: http://www.squawka.com/players/andre-wisdom

 

2. James Ward-Prowse (Southampton)

James Ward-Prowse has only recently turned 18. The midfielder has been with Southampton since the age of eight and been used seven times by Nigel Adkins in the Premier League this season.

SQUAWKA DATA

Age: 18

Apps: 7

Chances Created: 5

Pass Accuracy: 84 percent

Performance Score: 166

Full player stats: http://www.squawka.com/players/james-ward-prowse

1. Raheem Sterling (Liverpool)

Liverpool's Raheem Sterling unsurprisingly finishes on top. The 17-year-old flier has been hugely impressive for Brendan Rodgers' team this season, adding his raw pace and ambition to their forward ranks.

Sterling has been rewarded with a call-up to the England squad and will make his full debut against Sweden Wednesday.

SQUAWKA DATA

Age: 17

Apps: 10

Goals: 1

Chances Created: 19

Pass Accuracy: 80 percent

Performance Score:  235

Full player stats: http://www.squawka.com/players/raheem-sterling