Liverpool and Leeds players only Premier League representatives on Golden Boy shortlist

Wilfried Gnonto has already won six caps for Italy (Picture: Getty Images)

Only two Premier League players made it onto the shortlist for the 2022 Golden Boy award, with Liverpool’s Fabio Carvalho and Leeds United’s Wilfried Gnonto making the 20-player list.

The award is handed out each year to the best footballer under 21 years old, voted on by journalists, and first dished out in 2003.

Plenty who have taken home the prize have gone on to bigger and better things, with the likes of Lionel Messi and Wayne Rooney getting the nod.

20-year-old Carvalho joined Liverpool from Fulham over the summer after a superb season in the Championship with the Cottagers, scoring 10 league goals as they earned promotion to the Premier League.

He has made an impressive start to life in the top flight with the Reds, while also looking good in the Champions League and has earned his spot on the shortlist.

Fabio Carvalho started for Liverpool as they thrashed Rangers earlier this week (Picture: Getty Images)

Gnonto will be a less recognisable name to many fans, with the 18-year-old joining Leeds from Zurich over the summer but yet to make his debut for the Yorkshire club.

The teenager made a huge impression while at Zurich, though, and has already picked up six caps for Italy, scoring against Germany in the Nations League in June.

There are some strong candidates to win the Golden Boy this year, with the likes of Jude Bellingham, Gavi, Pedri, Eduardo Camavinga, Ryan Gravenberch and Ansu Fati all in contention.

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Both are outsiders to win the award.