‘You’ll never win anything with kids’ was once famously said about Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United side, just before they went on to win absolutely everything. While more experienced players often dominate the pitch, does that mean younger players should be overlooked until they’ve gained experience? Not necessarily.
Different players develop at different rates, and even those who make their breakthrough at a young age don’t always become famous world-class performers. Today, we’ll take a look at the ten youngest players to have graced the Premier League over the years.
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James Vaughan
Everton FC has a reputation for nurturing young talent, and James Vaughan was no exception. He made his debut for Everton at the age of 16 years and 270 days in April 2005. Vaughan’s first appearance was far from forgettable, as Everton defeated Crystal Palace 4-0, and he scored a goal three minutes from time. Sadly, injuries plagued his career, and he made just sixty appearances for the club.
Mark Platts
Mark Platts may not be a name you recognize, but he made his debut for Sheffield Wednesday at the age of 16 years and 264 days in February 1996. Platts had impressed at schoolboy level, but unfortunately, he couldn’t make the leap to the big leagues and played just one more game for Wednesday. After retiring in 2001 at the age of just over 21, Platts moved on to a different phase of his life.
Jack Wilshere
One of the most well-known names on our list, Jack Wilshere made his debut for Arsenal at the age of 16 years and 255 days in September 2008. He replaced Robin Van Persie in a 4-0 victory over Blackburn Rovers. Wilshere’s career was plagued by injuries, but he still managed to make 36 appearances for England. After leaving Arsenal, he struggled for regular starts at West Ham before a stint at Bournemouth, and eventually ended his career in Denmark.
Jack Robinson
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Rafa Benitez was known for giving young players a chance during his time at Liverpool, and Jack Robinson was one of them. Robinson made his debut at the age of 16 years and 250 days in May 2010, but he struggled to break into the first team after Benitez’s departure. He had better fortunes with Nottingham Forest and Sheffield United later in his career.
Gary McSheffrey
Gary McSheffrey made his debut for Coventry at the age of 16 years and 198 days in a game where they defeated Aston Villa 4-1. Despite showing promise, McSheffrey struggled to secure a regular place in the first team and had a varied career, bouncing between clubs in the lower leagues before retiring in 2020.
Jose Baxter
Jose Baxter, another Everton youngster, made his debut for the club at the age of 16 years and 191 days in a game against Blackburn. He played thirteen more games for Everton before moving on to Oldham Athletic. Throughout his career, he remained focused on playing games rather than chasing money, leading to stints at Sheffield United, Plymouth Argyle, and Memphis 901 in the United States.
Rushian Hepburn-Murphy
Rushian Hepburn-Murphy, named after the legendary Ian Rush or not, made his debut for Aston Villa at the age of 16 years and 176 days. He had already impressed with the Villa youth team, scoring 18 goals in 21 games before his first-team appearance. However, he struggled to have the same impact in the senior squad and spent time on loan and with different clubs, including Pafos and Swindon Town.
Aaron Lennon
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Aaron Lennon made his debut against his future club, Tottenham Hotspur, playing for Leeds United at the age of 16 years and 128 days. He later joined Spurs and spent a decade there before moving to Everton. Lennon was a regular first-team player and also made appearances for the England national team, although often as a substitute.
Izzy Brown
Izzy Brown made his debut for West Bromwich Albion at the age of 16 years and 117 days in a match against Wigan Athletic. While he only played four minutes in that particular game, Chelsea took notice and added him to their squad. However, Brown spent the majority of his time at Chelsea on loan to other clubs and ultimately retired in 2023 without ever making a senior appearance for Preston North End.
Matthew Briggs
Matthew Briggs made his debut for Fulham at the age of 16 years and 65 days in a match against Middlesbrough. While he struggled to establish himself in the first team, Briggs represented England at various youth levels before switching his international allegiance to Guyana. After a journey through different clubs, Briggs found more playing time at Gosport Borough in the 2021/22 season.
Harvey Elliot
Harvey Elliot, the youngest player on our list, turned 16 just 30 days before making his debut for Fulham. He played 16 minutes in total for Fulham before moving to Liverpool, where he began to establish himself as a key member of the squad. Elliot has won various titles, including the EFL Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup, and his career is still very much in progress.
FAQs
Q: Who is the youngest player to have appeared in the Premier League?
A: Harvey Elliot holds the title for the youngest player to have appeared in the Premier League, making his debut at the age of 16 years and 30 days.
Q: How many appearances did James Vaughan make for Everton?
A: James Vaughan made 60 appearances for Everton before injuries affected his career.
Q: Did Aaron Lennon play for England?
A: Yes, Aaron Lennon made 21 appearances for the England national team.
Q: Who made their debut for Aston Villa at a young age?
A: Rushian Hepburn-Murphy made his debut for Aston Villa at the age of 16 years and 176 days.
Conclusion
The Premier League has seen its fair share of young talent over the years. While some players have gone on to become household names, others have faced challenges along the way. The ten players mentioned here represent a mix of success, injury struggles, and personal journeys. Each story is a reminder of the potential and challenges young players face as they navigate their careers in the world of professional football.
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