LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 22: Jadon Sancho of England during the 2020 UEFA European Championships Group A qualifying match between England and Czech Republic at Wembley Stadium on March 22, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
The 10-man shortlist for the 2019 Kopa Trophee was recently revealed, which includes only two of EPL’s exciting talents in Moise Kean and Guendouzi from Everton and Arsenal, respectively.
France football announced the shortlist for the Kopa Trophee, which includes ex-Manchester City wonderkid Jadon Sancho, Matthijs de Ligt, and former Benfica ace Joao Felix.
The award is named after former French footballer Raymond Kopa and represents the best under-21 player in world football. Last year, the trophy was won by none other than french superstar Mbappe, who is nominated for the Ballon d’Or, with current Chelsea ace Pulisic in second and Roman wonderkid Justin Kluivert taking the third place on the podium.
LISBON, PORTUGAL – APRIL 11: Joao Felix of Benfica celebrates after scoring his team’s fourth goal during the UEFA Europa League Quarter Final First Leg match between Benfica and Eintracht Frankfurt at Estadio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica on April 11, 2019, in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Octavio Passos/Getty Images)
Jadon Sancho | Dortmund | England
LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 26: Jadon Sancho of Manchester City and Mason Mount of Chelsea in action during the FA Youth Cup Final, second leg between Chelsea and Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on April 26, 2017, in London, England. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images)
Moise Kean | Everton | Italy
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 10: Moise Kean of Everton arrives at the stadium before the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Everton FC at Selhurst Park on August 10, 2019, in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Samuel Chukwueze | Villarreal | Nigeria
VILLAREAL, SPAIN – JANUARY 03: Santi Cazorla of Villarreal CF celebrates with his teammates Samuel Chukwueze and Victor Ruiz after scoring the opening goal during the La Liga match between Villarreal CF and Real Madrid CF at Estadio de la Ceramica on January 03, 2019 in Villarreal, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
Kang-in Lee | Valencia | South Korea
BARCELONA, SPAIN – SEPTEMBER 14: Lee Kang-In of Valencia looks on during the Liga match between FC Barcelona and Valencia CF at Camp Nou on September 14, 2019, in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
Matthijs de Ligt | Juventus | The Netherlands
ROTTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – MAY 05: Matthijs de Ligt of Ajax celebrates winning the Dutch Toto KNVB Cup Final between Willem II and Ajax at De Kuip on May 05, 2019 in Rotterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
Vinicius Junior | Real Madrid | Brazil
MALLORCA, SPAIN – OCTOBER 19: Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid CF runs with the ball during the La Liga match between RCD Mallorca and Real Madrid CF at Iberostar Estadi on October 19, 2019, in Mallorca, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
Kai Havertz | Bayern Leverkusen | Germany
MAINZ, GERMANY – FEBRUARY 08: Kai Havertz of Leverkusen celebrates after scoring the 1-2 lead during the Bundesliga match between 1. FSV Mainz 05 and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at the Opel Arena on February 08, 2019, in Mainz, Germany. (Photo by Jörg Schüler/Getty Images)
Matteo Guendouzi | Arsenal | France
LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 29: Matteo Guendouzi of Arsenal celebrates his sides second goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Cardiff City at Emirates Stadium on January 29, 2019, in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
Andriy Lunin | Real Valladolid | Ukraine
Andriy Lunin of Ukraine during the U21 European Championship Qualifier between England U21 and Ukraine U21 at Bramall Lane on March 27, 2018, in Sheffield, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
Only two wonder kids in Moise Kean and Matteo Guendouzi included from the Premier League raised some eyebrows. There is no shortage of young protegees in the Premier League, but they are either short of playing time (Phil Foden) or a lengthy presence in the first team (Callum Hudson Odoi, Mason Mount, etc.). Jadon Sancho, Joao Felix and de Ligt are the overwhelming favourites to land the prize this term due to their exploits at the club level.
