Discover the top 20 Premier League stars under the age of 21
By Tushar Bahl
16. Cameron Carter-Vickers
This Tottenham Hotspur centre-back is yet to make his Premier League bow, but has already earned rave reviews from the likes of Mauricio Pochettino and Jurgen Klinsmann. The 18-year old has played twice for Spurs this season in the EFL Cup and has been a regular on the bench.
Carter-Vickers has risen from the Spurs’ academy system and captained the club’s U-21 side last season. He was born in Southend, but is illegible to play for the USA through his father Howard Carter, a former basketball player. He has already represented the USA at the U18, U20 and U23 levels, despite being only 18. The defender received his first call-up to the States’ senior side in November 2016.
Carter-Vickers has a strong build and is an imposing presence, and has been compared to Spurs legend Ledley King. Unfortunately for him the competition for places at Spurs is very high. In Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld, Tottenham have two of the league’s best centre backs. They also have the likes of Kevin Wimmer and Eric Dier, so Carter-Vickers may not get many opportunities.
However he can learn a lot from his colleagues, and in Mauricio Pochettino, he has a fine manager who can bring out the best in him. Carter-Vickers is only 18, and he has all the attributes to become a great defender one day.