Lucas Bergvall, 19 (Tottenham)
It was tempting to exclude Bergvall from consideration for this list simply because he played in Spurs’ 4-0 League Cup semi-final defeat at Anfield, as cowardly a display as could possibly exist. Overall, though, he’s enjoyed a fine debut season, especially as, when he joined Spurs from Djurgården, there was little sense he’d establish himself so soon. But with a little help from injuries and incompetence, he forced his way into consideration and is now a fixture in Ange Postecoglou’s starting XI – with good reason. In this era of attacking and defensive prefixes, Bergvall is that rarity: a midfielder who plays in the middle of the field. Clever enough to create, calm enough to score, physical enough to tackle and athletic enough to harry, perhaps his best quality is his decision-making, especially notable for a player of his age. If he continues improving, this will not be the last time his name makes a list of this ilk.
