Ranking the EPL's 10 Brightest Youngsters

The Premier League is blessed with some fantastic young players from all over the world and here we take a look at the 10 best.

For the purpose of defining "young," we shall go with players who are under the age of 23.

This means that the likes of Rafael da Silva and Daniel Sturridge (23 and 24 respectively) miss out.

Players were ranked based on two key factors: Firstly, their current level of performance and secondly, their future potential.

Honourable Mentions

Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Understandably, there are plenty of players who narrowly missed out on the top 10. Let’s run through each club and take a look at those who deserve an honourable mention…

Arsenal: Carl Jenkinson, 21.      

Aston Villa: Andreas Weimann, 22.        

Cardiff City: Steven Caulker, 21.

Chelsea: Kevin De Bruyne, 22.

Crystal Palace: Jonathan Williams, 20.

Everton: Gerard Deulofeu (on loan from Barcelona), 19.

Fulham: Pajtim Kasami, 21

Hull City: Robbie Brady, 21.

Liverpool: Philippe Coutinho, 21.

Manchester City: Matija Nastasic, 20.

Manchester United: Phil Jones, 21.

Newcastle United: Paul Dummett, 22.

Norwich City: Nathan Redmond, 19.

Southampton: Nathaniel Clyne, 22.

Stoke City: Marc Muniesa, 21.

Sunderland: Connor Wickham, 20.

Swansea City: Ben Davies, 20.

Tottenham Hotspur: Christian Eriksen, 21.

West Bromwich Albion: Saido Berahino, 20.

West Ham United: Ravel Morrison, 20.   

There are, of course, many others who could be included on this list. Also, players such as Coutinho (injury) and Eriksen could have featured in the top 10. Let us know who you think deserves a mention in the comments.

Christian Eriksen 

10. Adnan Januzaj, 18, Manchester United

Some might be surprised to see Januzaj make the top 10, given his relative lack of experience. 

However, the 18-year-old has seemingly unlimited potential, which is enough to see him creep in. He's also currently in good form and has been a bright spark in the midst of Manchester United's gloomy start to the season.

His two goals against Sunderland demonstrated a level of control and technique that is all too often missing in young players of his age.

His volley at the 12-second mark in the clip above illustrates the technical brilliance that has Manchester United fans purring.

That he has signed a new five-year contract attests to the bright start he has made at Old Trafford.

Perhaps by the end of the season, he will be higher in the top 10...

Some might be surprised to see Januzaj make the top 10, given his relative lack of experience. 

However, the 18-year-old has seemingly unlimited potential, which is enough to see him creep in. He's also currently in good form, and has been a bright spark in the midst of Manchester United's gloomy start to the season.

His two goals against Sunderland demonstrated a level of control and technique that is all too often missing in young players of his age.

His volley at the 12 second mark in the clip above illustrates the technical brilliance that has Manchester United fans purring.

That he has signed a new five-year contract attests to the bright start he has made at Old Trafford.

Perhaps by the end of the season he will be higher in the top 10... 

9. Luke Shaw, 18, Southampton

It speaks volumes that Shaw is only 18 years old. He is the youngest player in the top 10 and sneaks ahead of Januzaj due to the fact that he is slightly more experienced.

The 16 seconds above show the attacking endeavour in Shaw's game. All that was missing was a goal. But he can defend well, too, and is enjoying his football at the moment.  

Clearly, Shaw is a future England left-back and will be playing Champions League football sooner rather than later. That potential is enough to see him make the top 10.

At Southampton, in a genuinely promising side, he will be able to continue to develop. 

That’s a scary prospect because, at such a young age, he is already one of the best full-backs in the league. 

8. Romelu Lukaku, 20, Chelsea (on Loan at Everton)

Romelu Lukaku is the only Premier League footballer who weighs more than 100kg. Of course, that's not the reason why he makes the top 10, but it demonstrates the power and strength that he has.

Most football fans are struggling to comprehend why Jose Mourinho let him go on loan to Everton, especially given his side's striking problems.

Lukaku has settled in well at Everton, and his goal against Manchester City showed that he has the finesse to go alongside his raw athleticism. 

His touch at five seconds in the video, and the cool finish that followed, was befitting of any Premier League game.

Really, he needs to be playing regularly for Chelsea sooner rather than later. He has the potential to be one of the best strikers in world football if he continues his development.  

7. Christian Benteke, 22, Aston Villa

Christian Benteke ranks one place higher than his compatriot Lukaku courtesy of his fine season last year and the bright start he made at the beginning of this one.

He was one of the standout players during 2012-13, almost single-handedly keeping Aston Villa in the Premier League. 

One game where he really impressed was vs. Liverpool. Just check out his goal (three seconds in) and assist (40 seconds in) for a glimpse of what he has to offer. 

However, for Benteke to develop further, you feel he must be at a club that can offer him European football. 

Villa fans won't like to hear that, but it's the only way that he can ever climb higher in this top 10.

6. Ross Barkley, 19, Everton

The above video showcases everything that is good about Ross Barkley in just 70 seconds.

Tenacious, hard-working and technically sound, he just misses out on the top five. 

Since his performance against Norwich, capped by a fine goal, he has continued to flourish. He is enjoying his freedom under Roberto Martinez and, like Shaw, is almost certain to feature for England in the coming years.

His potential, at just 19 years of age, is astonishing. 

He will no doubt have the league's biggest sides sniffing around him for his signature, but for the moment he should stay at Everton. 

The above video showcases everything that is good about Ross Barkley in just 70 seconds.

Tenacious, hard-working and technically sound, he just misses out on the top five. 

Since his performance against Norwich, capped by a fine goal, he has continued to flourish. He is enjoying his freedom under Roberto Martinez and like Shaw, is almost certain to feature for England in the coming years.

His potential, at just 19 years of age, is astonishing. 

He will no doubt have the league's biggest sides sniffing around him for his signature, but for the moment he should stay at Everton. 

5. Jack Wilshere, 21, Arsenal

Had we compiled this list a season or two ago, Wilshere would have made the top three with ease. 

That's not to say that he has become less of a player, however, just that his fifth-placed ranking acknowledges the injuries that have hampered his development.

He's also not been guaranteed a starting position for Arsenal this season. 

His goal against Norwich was as good a goal as you will see in the Premier League. Just watch from six seconds on as he and his teammates manipulate the ball in a series of quick passes rendering the Norwich defenders useless. 

Driving forward like that is what Arsene Wenger will want from Wilshere on a regular basis. 

A future England captain perhaps, Wilshere still has a lot of learning to do. He cut a frustrated figure for much of the game against West Brom before his deflected effort rescued a point for Arsenal.

As talented as he is committed, Wilshere brushes past Barkley due to his greater experience at the very highest level.

Had we compiled this list a season or two ago, Wilshere would have made the top three with ease. 

That's not to say that he has become less of a player, however, just that his fifth-placed ranking acknowledges the injuries that have hampered his development.

He's also not been guaranteed a starting position for Arsenal this season. 

His goal against Norwich was as good a goal as you will see in the Premier League. Just watch from six seconds on as he and his teammates manipulate the ball in a series of quick passes rendering the Norwich defenders useless. 

Driving forward like that is what Arsene Wenger will want from Wilshere on a regular basis. 

A future England captain perhaps, Wilshere still has a lot of learning to do. He cut a frustrated figure for much of the game against West Brom before his deflected effort rescued a point for Arsenal.

As talented as he is committed, Wilshere brushes past Barkley due to his greater experience at the very highest level.

4. Eden Hazard, 22, Chelsea

Eden Hazard is among the brightest of attacking players in world football.

His current form and future potential suggest that he will remain one of Europe's elite players for many years to come. 

Still only 22, he is one of the most important players for club and country. He has weighed in with a number of crucial goals since arriving at Chelsea, some of which have been spectacular.

The way Hazard lurks on Chelsea's left before cutting in on his favoured right foot in the video clip sums him up nicely. He repeated the trick against Cardiff City this season, albeit with a slightly scrappier finish. 

One criticism of his game is that he appears to go through spells of form, where he can be slightly ineffective for a few games at a time. 

There's no doubt, however, that he could become one of Belgium's greatest-ever players if he continues to develop.

3. David De Gea, 22, Manchester United

If there's a better save in the Premier League this season than David De Gea's vs. Sunderland, then it will be quite something. 

The above 18 seconds, capturing the Spaniard's magnificent stop from all angles, shows how good of a goalkeeper he is. He is in fine form right now.

But that doesn't tell the whole story, does it?

When he first arrived at United, he was uncertain, spindly and made too many errors. 

Fast forward a couple of seasons and he's arguably the best in the Premier League. He has the greatest potential, that much is without question. 

The way he has stood up to the physical test in the Premier League is testament to his mental development as much as anything.

Surely, he will be Spain's No. 1 in the future...

2. Aaron Ramsey, 22, Arsenal

In the same way that Wilshere would have featured higher in the top 10 just a couple of seasons ago, Ramsey would not have featured at all.

His emergence as Arsenal's main man this season has been spectacular to watch. He's a completely different player to the frustrating midfielder that Arsenal fans groaned at last season.

In addition to his improved form, he's added goals to his game. None of those goals have been better than his solo effort vs. Norwich.

Fooling three players before beating John Ruddy in goal, Ramsey refused to be outdone by Wilshere in that game and scored a sublime goal of his own. Those 10 seconds above strike a glaring contrast to the Ramsey of last season. 

So much so that if this top 10 was based purely on current form, he would be No. 1 without question. It remains to be seen, however, how long he can keep his scintillating run of form going.

And with Wales not likely to contend at a major tournament any time soon, he's unlikely to feature on the world stage. Ultimately, Ramsey was ousted for the top spot by someone who will feature at international tournaments...

1. Oscar, 22, Chelsea

Forget young players for one second because Oscar is one of the best in the Premier League, full stop.

Neymar will be in the spotlight ahead of the World Cup in Brazil next summer, but Oscar is equally important to Brazil's chances.

Oscar nudges out Ramsey due to the fact that the Welshman has only found his form this season, whereas Oscar has been at the top for more than a year.

It is no exaggeration to say that he could be one of the top five players in the world in the future.

He’s that good.

The diminutive Brazilian has stood up well to the physical side of the Premier League, thus allowing his technical game to flourish. 

The first 10 seconds of the video clip above illustrate the natural talent he possesses. Yes, it was in the Champions League, but he has replicated that level of form time and time again in the Premier League.

On his return to the club, it was clear that Jose Mourinho favoured Oscar over Juan Mata and the Brazilian has not let his manager down as yet.

Chelsea's best player at the moment and the brightest youngster in the Premier League, Oscar will be one of the world's best players sooner rather than later.