Rashford leads host of Chelsea youngsters in U21 Team of the Season

With the 2019/20 Premier League done and dusted, now is the perfect opportunity to take stock of the season. Having already revealed best XIs like Most Improved, Newcomer and Team of the Season, now we will turn our attention and focus on the best young players in the division.

In order to qualify for our U21 Team of the Season, players must have been no older than 21 at the beginning of the season. Therefore, it does not matter if they are 22 now, as long as they started the season 21 or under then they are eligible for selection in the team.

Goalkeeper

Bournemouth are bracing themselves for offers for their best players in the wake of their relegation to the Championship and goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has already been earmarked as a potential transfer target by Sheffield United should the Blades need to replace Dean Henderson. Ramsdale was a consistent performer for the Cherries this season and did his best to help Eddie Howe's side beat the drop. In fact, only two goalkeepers made more saves than the 22-year-old (125) in the Premier League this season.

Defenders

The stand out defender in our U21 Team of the Season is unquestionably Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold. The 21-year-old enjoyed another superb campaign and this time it culminated in Premier League success. Alexander-Arnold reached double figures for assists for the second league campaign running (13) and quadrupled his goalscoring tally to four. Moreover, the Liverpool starlet ranked third in the division for key passes registered (87).

On the opposite flank is emerging Manchester United defender Brandon Williams, whose emergence convinced Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to end the club's pursuit of another left-back in the transfer market. Williams even took Luke Shaw's place in the team midway through the season. The 19-year-old scored his first senior goal on just his second Premier League start, sparking United's comeback in a 3-3 draw at Sheffield United in November.

Forming the centre-back pairing are Chelsea's Fikayo Tomori and Ezri Konsa. Tomori's relationship with Frank Lampard from their time together at Derby last season appeared to help the youngster establish himself as a first-team regular right away, though Tomori eventually faded out of the picture and could now leave on loan in the summer. Tomori made 15 appearances in total, with Chelsea winning a greater proportion of those matches (60%) than in those he missed (47.8%). Joining Tomori is Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa. The 22-year-old found his maiden Premier League season tough but certainly came on strong after the break to play a key role in Villa’s defensive turnaround. Konsa played a direct hand in three goals, with his goal contributions earning Villa an additional three points.

Midfielders

Christian Pulisic had to be patient for his first-team opportunities at the start of the season but ended the campaign in top form, turning in the sort of dazzling performances supporters used to see from Eden Hazard, to guide Chelsea to a top four finish. The 21-year-old played a direct hand in 13 goals in 25 league appearances (nine goals, four assists) and averaged 2.9 dribbles per 90 minutes. Excluding substitute appearances, his WhoScored rating improves to 7.28.

Forming our central midfield pairing are best friends, and potentially soon-to-be team-mates, Declan Rice and Mason Mount. Rice, who remarkably didn’t miss a single minute of Premier League action, ranks third in the division for most tackles and interceptions combined (193). Mount, meanwhile, enjoyed a thoroughly encouraging maiden Premier League campaign and established himself as a key part of Lampard’s plans. His high energy and pressing was particularly important for Chelsea and he finished the season with seven goals and five assists.

Concluding midfield is Burnley’s Dwight McNeil. The 20-year-old started every league game for Burnley this season and scored twice and registered six assists. Moreover, no player found a team-mate with more crosses (excluding corners) than McNeil (44) in the Premier League this season.

Strikers

After previously underwhelming in the Premier League on loan at Swansea, many felt Tammy Abraham was not ready to lead the line for a club like Chelsea. Even if the arrival of Timo Werner suggests Lampard knows Abraham needs help up top, the 22-year-old has performed above expectations this season. Abraham scored a hat-trick on just his fourth start of the season and concluded the Premier League campaign with 15 goals.

Saving the best until last, Marcus Rashford is the WhoScored Young Player of the Season after enjoying his best ever season in front of goal. Rashford scored 17 goals in the Premier League and provided a further seven assists. Not only has Rashford’s finishing improved, but the now-22-year-old’s passing has come on leaps and bounds, most notably since the restart. In fact, of the nine clear-cut chances Rashford registered across the 2019/20 season, five were registered post-lockdown.