In the realm of sports, few events rival the sheer excitement and anticipation of the NFL Draft. It’s a spectacle where dreams are realized, futures are shaped, and the fate of franchises hangs in the balance. With each pick, the promise of potential superstars entering the league electrifies fans worldwide, igniting fervent debates and speculation.
But what if such a spectacle were to grace the world of football, particularly the illustrious Premier League? Imagine the drama, the intrigue, and the sheer thrill of top clubs vying for the brightest young talents to bolster their ranks. Enter the concept of the Premier League Draft—a hypothetical scenario designed purely for the joy of speculation and discussion.
And who better to direct this scenario than 365Scores? While the Premier League Draft remains firmly planted in the realm of imagination, its rules and structure offer a tantalizing glimpse into what could be.
To maintain competitive balance and prevent any single club from monopolizing the talent pool, strict guidelines are in place. Each team can only pluck two prospects from any given club, shielding the league’s powerhouses from being stripped bare. Players must be 22 years old or younger. And fear not, loyal supporters, as an ironclad rule prohibits any poaching of players from fellow Premier League sides, safeguarding the core identities of each team.
So, while Arsenal faithful can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that their beloved Saka remains untouchable, the Premier League Draft promises a tantalizing glimpse into a parallel footballing universe. Join us as we explore the possibilities, speculate on potential line-ups, and revel in the sheer excitement of what could be. After all, in the world of sports, dreams are limitless, and the Premier League Draft embodies that spirit of boundless imagination.
Sheffield United – Pick 1 – Jude Bellingham (20) / Real Madrid / Midfielder
I mean, does this one even need an explanation? Bellingham has a claim to being the best player in the world at the moment, let alone just the best young player. He would be the consensus first pick. He’s English, he’s charming, and most importantly, he’s very, very good at football.
If Sheffield United popped him in the midfield alongside Gustavo Hamer, they would form a cheeky partnership there and have the Blades surviving in the Premier League.
Burnley – Pick 2 – Jamal Musiala (21) / Bayern Munich / Attacking Midfielder
Burnley are a sauceless club. Luckily, Musiala has enough sauce for the ENTIRETY of the Burnley area and would provide the team with exactly what they are missing. Musiala is one of the world’s best dribbles, if not the best. He moves like Messi. He jinks through players and has you wondering how he’s seen space where it looked like there was none. Our number two in the Premier League Draft is incredible. A definite All-Star pick.
Luton – Pick 3 – Eduardo Camavinga (21) / Real Madrid / Defensive Midfielder
The second Real Madrid player comes at Pick 3, this is the NFL equivalent of drafting from Alabama. There are many more teams that would’ve drafted Real Madrid talents but it’s prohibited by our draft rules. Arda Guler, Nico Paz, and Endrick remain with Los Blancos.
Yet not Camavinga. That Ross Barkley x Camavinga partnership would set the league alight. Incredible.
Nottingham Forest – Pick 4 – Pedri (21) / Barcelona / Midfielder
Pedri is the guy that employers are asking for when they want a graduate with ten years of experience. Still so young, Pedri has played over 130 games for Barcelona as well as over a dozen times for Spain. He oozes class and would elevate a bright, young Nottingham Forest team to another level. His partnership with Morgan Gibbs-White would be sensational, and the through balls to Anthony Elanga would be special.
Everton – Pick 5 – Gavi (19) / Barcelona / Midfielder
This is like when Amen and Ausar Thompson got picked 4th and 5th in the 2023 NBA Draft. Now, Pedri and Gavi are picked 4th and 5th in 365Scores’ Premier League Draft.
Gavi is an exceptional talent who would provide some of the pausa and calm needed in Everton’s hectic team. All the first five picks in our Premier League Draft could have been the first pick in any other given year.
Brentford – Pick 6 – Warren Zaïre-Emery (18) / PSG / Midfielder
Warren Zaïre-Emery made his debut for PSG in August 2022 in which he became the club’s youngest-ever player. He then became the club’s youngest-ever goalscorer and the youngest player in the Champions League history to start a knockout match, all at the age of 16, before winning his first Ligue 1 title. He’s been called up to France as well and even scored (although it was in a 14-0 win). He’s top.
Brentford need someone to thread balls through to Ivan Toney and to add some tenacity to a team that has severely lacked it this year.
Crystal Palace – Pick 7 – Florian Wirtz (20) / Bayer Leverkusen / Attacking Midfielder
Wirtz would suit Crystal Palace to a tee. He’s silky, kind of like star player Ebere Eze. If the manager found a way to slot the pair in together, it would be carnage for the rest of the league. He’s notched 22 goals and assists in the Bundesliga this year, and he’s only going to get better!
Fulham – Pick 8 – Xavi Simons (21) / RB Leipzig / Midfielder
This is like eight QBs being drafted in the first eight picks. Mental. There are so many talented young midfielders. Xavi Simons is an exceptional talent. He’s been in the limelight for years and he has established himself as one of Europe’s top ballers. Craven Cottage would love to see the curly-haired Dutchman show his flair in their newly renovated stadium.
Wolves – Pick 9 – Elye Wahi (20) / Lens / Striker
Wolves have struggled in front of goal this year. Only five teams have scored less than them in the Premier League. Elye Wahi would be the answer to those problems. He’s already scored 42 career Ligue 1 goals and there is no surprise why Chelsea were looking into the young Frenchman. He’s played for Les Bleus U23 but it won’t be long until he gets the call from Didier Deschamps inviting him into the senior squad.
Brighton – Pick 10 – Giorgio Scalvini (20) / Atalanta / Centre-Back
Brighton’s defense has not been as impressive as it has been in recent years. They’ve already hit the 50-goals conceded mark, and there are five games remaining. A new center-back would shore things up. Scalvini is what Italy has been missing in recent years. A throwback to Chiellini (partially because they share a first name), Scalvini has already been capped eight times for Italy and is a mainstay in the Atalanta team.
Bournemouth – Pick 11 – Nuno Mendes (21) / PSG / Left-Back
Wolves and Brighton would’ve taken Mendes but they already have strong left-backs and needed to prioritise centre-back and attacking reinforcements. Good news for Bournemouth, they get to pick up Nuno Mendes, one of the world’s most exciting left-backs at 21.
He’s already a Portuguese international and is an excellent dribbler and tenacious defender.
Chelsea – Pick 12 – Antonio Silva (20) / Benfica / Centre-Back
At this point, who knows what can save Chelsea. They’ve been drowning for a while now. Antonio Silva would certainly help bring them slightly closer to shore. The young Portuguese center-back has been hailed as the next Ruben Dias, employing a similar style to the City defender. Chelsea’s center-backs have all had bad luck with injuries and form, Silva will help them.
West Ham – Pick 13 – Johan Bakayoko (21) / PSV / Winger
Johan Bakayoko has ten goals and nine assists in the Dutch league so far this year. West Ham did well with the last Dutch league winger they brought in as Mohamed Kudus is in top form. With Kudus, Bakayoko, and Bowen, The Hammers would have one of the most electric front threes in the league.
Newcastle – Pick 14 – Yeremy Pino (21) / Villarreal / Winger
Spanish Pino has been featuring for the Yellow Submarines for many years and is a pacy, direct winger. He’d provide great coverage for Anthony Gordon and bolster The Magpies squad.
Manchester United – Pick 15 – Piero Hincapié (22) / Bayer Leverkusen / Centre-Back or Left-Back
United need defensive reinforcements and where better to look than Piero Hincapié. The Ecuadorian has not lost a single game this season as Leverkusen are unbeaten in all competitions. The left-sided center-back could deputies for both Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw and considering the pair are injured all the time, he’d be straight into the team.
Tottenham – Pick 16 – Mathys Tel (19) / Bayern Munich / Striker
Spurs need a striker. It’s always going to be hard to replace arguably the best striker in the world, but Spurs didn’t even try last year after selling Harry Kane. They rode it out with Richarlison but Tel, the direct and efficient Frenchman, could be a far better option.
Aston Villa – Pick 17 – Sávio (20) / Girona / Winger
Aston Villa’s winger options are already strong but Savio would elevate them to a new level. The young Brazilian has been one of the best players in La Liga this season. With eight goals, eight assists, and 2.9 successful dribbles per game, he’s electric and gets the crowd out of their seats. He’s likely to be called up for Brazil for the Copa America where his stock will continue to rise. This is a steal for Pick 17 of the Premier League Draft.
Liverpool – Pick 18 – Gonçalo Inácio (22) / Sporting Lisbon / Centre-Back
Liverpool have to keep their eyes on the future as they deal with the fact that the Jurgen Klopp is coming to an end. With the German manager leaving, it is possible that stars such as Virgil van Dijk may follow him out the door.
Gonçalo Inácio would at least soften the blow as the talented Portuguese center-back is set to grow into an incredible talent.
Manchester City – Pick 19 – Leny Yoro (18) / Lille / Centre-Back
Manchester City have prepared well for the future with several young talents brought in and instructed to learn under their current legends. Yoro wouldn’t start for the Sky Blues, but learning under Ruben Dias, John Stones, and Josko Gvardiol can only improve a player and he’ll certainly be an excellent center-back in the future. He’s started almost every game for Lille this season and the last high-profile Lille center-backs to move to the PL have proved massive successes (Gabriel and Sven Botman).
Arsenal – Pick 20 – Brian Brobbey (22) / Ajax / Striker
Our final pick of the 2024 Premier League Draft. Our ‘Mr Irrelevant’ is Brian Brobbey. Gabriel Jesus simply isn’t cutting it with the goals. Arsenal score a lot of goals but they need a killer to come off the bench and finish off games. Brian Brobbey is their man.
365Scores hope you enjoyed this mock Premier League draft!
By Nicky Helfgott / @NickyH3lfgott on Twitter
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