Premier League teams have a great record of producing young players especially Manchester United, Arsenal and Southampton in recent years.
The famous Sir Alex Ferguson Class of 92 was entirely academy products natured to become the best. They include David Beckham, Phil and Gary Neville, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt among others.
Today, we take a closer look at players who scored the highest number of goals before they turned 23 in the Premier League;
7. Chris Sutton- Chelsea, Black Burn Rovers
Goals by age 23: 49 goals
Little is known about Chris Sutton but for those who watched Premier League in the 90’s, you will remember the man who joined hands with Alan Shearer to help Blackburn Rovers surprise everyone to lift the Premier League trophy in 1995. He also had a one year spell at Chelsea in 1999/2000 season. He retired in 2007 at Aston Villa in 2007.
6. Harry Kane- Tottenham Hotspurs
Goals by age 23: 49 goals
Tottenham Hotpurs fans must be feeling great to watch Harry Kane play every weekend. He will turn 24 in 28 July but he has already scored 62 goals in only 99 appearances. He has a great goal ratio per match and he can only get better as he matures. By the time he turned 23, he had scored 49 goals.
5. Cristiano Ronaldo- Manchester United
Goals by age 23: 54 goals
Former Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo joined the Club at the age of 19 years and four years later he had scored 54 goals. He went on to will the Premier League and European golden boots as well the famous Ballon d’Or. He also helped the Red Devils lift UEFA Champions League before leaving in 2009 to join Spanish giants Real Madrid for a record fee.
4. Romelu Lukaku- Everton/West Brom
Goals by age 23: 60
Many football fans and pundits have questioned the age of Everton Belgian forward Romelu Lukaku but that did not prevent him from scoring 60 goals before he turned 23 years. A good chunk of his goals came during his days at West Brom on a season long loan. He is also a regular in Belgium national team.
3. Wayne Rooney- Manchester United
Goals by age 23: 71 goals
Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney last Saturday broke Sir Bobby Charlton 40 year old record with a wonderful free-kick to earn his club a point against Stoke City. The signs were there for everybody to see and Sir Alex Ferguson did not fear paying £25.6 million to get him from Everton when he was only 18 years. He scored 71 goals before turning 23 years.
2. Michael Owen- Liverpool
Goals by age 23: 91 goals
Michael Owen remains the very last English player to ever lift the coveted Ballon d’Or award and he deserved it if this goal return is anything to go by. He netted 91 goals before he turned 23 years. He was a regular at Liverpool at a tender age of 17 years. He was a special player and even though he broke tradition by playing for bitter rivals Manchester United, the Kop can’t really forsake their legend.
1. Robbie Fowler- Liverpool
Goals by age 23: 93 goals
Robbie Fowler was a beast in front of goal. He could literally score from any angle. He scored goals for fun. Between 1993/94 to 1999/2000 season he averaged 20 goals per season. This must have been a perfect time for Liverpool to win the League but that was never to be. He scored a total of 93 goals before he turned 23 years. He later played for Leeds United and Manchester City among others before retiring in 2012.
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