If you happened to be compiling a list of the best young players in the Premier League this season, it’s likely Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze and West Bromwich Albion’s Grady Diangana would make the list.
Both players have been regulars for their respective sides in what are likely to be big campaigns for them moving forwards.
That’s certainly been the case for Eze at Crystal Palace, whose tally of three goals and three assists has not only continued his fine form from last season but also fully justified the decision to pay £16m for him in the summer.
Things have been tougher for Diangana at West Brom, whose relegation struggles have meant he’s struggled to shine as he did during their promotion campaign last year.
Nonetheless, there is no doubting he is a player to keep an eye on moving forward, an opinion that is shared by coach Gianni di Marzio.
“In England I recommend two. The first is Eberechi Eze, born in 1998, Cristal Palace’s trequartista,” he told TuttoMercatoWeb.
“He’s deadly, has great strength, very strong and can also play on the outside.
“And then there is Grady Diangana, born in 1998, high left outside player of West Bromwich.
“He has already been called up for the English national team. He is fast, powerful, he can sacrifice himself in defence, but his best strength is in attack.”
The question now is if both players can kick on at Crystal Palace and West Brom and prove the faith being shown in them by the likes of Di Marzio.
The talent is certainly there; both players have shown that up to this point, and at 22-years-old both have plenty of development left in them and time on their hands to boot.
The Premier League is a tough place, though, particularly for youngsters, and it remains to be seen if they can hit the heights and go as high as Di Marzio, who was recommending options for Italian clubs, thinks they can.
