It is always refreshing to see a fresh face taking to the field for the very first time. Balls looks at the youngest Premier League footballers. the teenagers who got their chance to shine under the bright lights of the Premier League.
The Youngest Premier League Footballers List:
Matthew Briggs - Fulham - 16 years 68 days
Ah, the most fresh faced on the youngest Premier League footballers list. Briggs grew up in the London borough of Wandsworth which is conveniently located just over three kilometres from Craven Cottage, where he progressed through the ranks from the age of ten. In the closing stages of the 2006-07 season, he made his debut and replaced Moritz Voltz as the youngest ever Premier League player at a tender age of 16 years old.
However, Briggs' time in West London came to an end in 2014 when he opted to play for Millwall and Colchester respectively. Briggs declared himself eligible for Guyana - where he made his full international debut - despite representing England at underage level.
Izzy Brown - Chelsea - 16 years 117 days
Rumour has it that no matter where you are in the world, you are never more than ten kilometres away from a Chelsea loanee. Having impressed at West Brom, Izzy Brown was tipped for big things in the future. The break he deserved seemed to arrive when Chelsea announced signing the youngster from the Hawthorns.
Yet it's been three years since his transfer to Stamford Bridge and Brown has only made one senior Premier League appearance. West Brom chief executive Steve Hopcroft believes Brown will rue leaving the club:
"He could have gone on to play a similar number of games as Saido Berahino. he could have made his 100th appearance for West Brom and be in a better position than he is now."
Brown is currently on loan with Rotherham United.
Aaron Lennon - Leeds United - 16 years 128 days
It's hard to believe that Lennon is only 29 he seems to be around for an eternity. Prior to the two aforementioned players, Lennon was the youngest player to feature in the Premier League at 16 years and 128 days old when Peter Reid handed him his debut at Leeds United.
Life after Elland Road has not been too bad for Lennon as he played over 260 Premier Leagues games for Tottenham - nominated for PFA Young Player of the Year on two occasions.
Arguably the highlight of his time at Spurs coming in the 2008 North London derby when he equalised deep in injury time to level the scoring at 4-4. (11:15 mark)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4OwOF11NY8
Rushian Hepburn-Murphy - Aston Villa - 16 years 176 days
Birmingham-born Hepburn-Murphy has featured for Aston Villa at senior level on a handful of occasions - making his Premier League debut in a 4-0 victory against Sunderland.
There is little to say about Hepburn-Murphy as he attempts to gain first team football with the Championship outfit this season - So far, his only appearance coming in a draw versus Newcastle.
It is only early days for the English forward but many Villains supporters will be hoping he can make an impact sooner rather than later.
Jose Baxter - Everton - 16 years 191 days
Baxter became a member of Everton's underage setup at just six years of age - a decade later he was making his full team debut for The Toffees. Baxter had spells with Tranmere, Oldham and Sheffield United in the post-Goodison era of his life but he is currently serving a twelve month ban after failing a second drug test for cocaine in his system.
See his debut below as Baxter replaces Nuno Valente in the 78th minute.
Jack Robinson - Liverpool - 16 years 250 days
Robinson became the youngest player to represent Liverpool at senior level when he replaced Ryan Babel in the closing minutes of a game against Hull in the 2009-2010 season.
Admittedly, it takes a special type of character to tell Luis Suarez where to go:
Since his time in Anfield departure Robinson has gone from one of the youngest Premier League footballers to struggling to break into the first team at QPR.
Slightly underwhelming fact of the day: Jack Robinson shares his name with the first ever man to play the musical saw, who was also a resident of Liverpool. There you go.
Jack Wilshere - Arsenal - 16 years 255 days
Jack Wilshere has done okay for himself since debuting for Arsenal in 2008. His performances in the 2010-11 season earned Wilshere the PFA Young Player of the Year award but, in many ways, has yet to fulfill his potential.
Wilshere only featured in 17 Premier League games in his past two seasons due to recurring injuries. But the England international has vouched to regain form by joining Eddie Howe at Bournemouth.
Wilshere has represented England on 34 occasions at senior level.
Mark Platts - Sheffield Wednesday - 16 years 264 days
In 1996, Mark Platts replaced none other than Chris Waddle for Wednesday on his senior debut. However, he was not quite the youngest player to ever feature for the club as that honour goes to Peter Fox who debuted for Sheffield Wednesday aged just fifteen.
Despite the hype surrounding Platts at an early age, he failed to break the first team. He had spells at Torquay United and Worksop Town after his time at Hillsborough.
If forums are to be believed then Platts is either working as a scaffolder, washing machine repairman or stockroom manager at Schuh. The mystery continues.
The youngest Premier League footballers list will constantly be update here on Balls.ie, so be sure to check back to separate the Mark Platts from the Aaron Lennon's.
