Chelsea and Manchester City loanees backed to flourish by Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi Premier League's best youngsters XI

The lucky duo are Nathan and Patrick Roberts, both loanees at the Premier League giants.

Brazil Under-20 international Nathan is currently at Vitesse, who have a close relationship with Chelsea. 

The midfielder spent the 2015/16 season in the Eredivisie before earning a return for another spell, and he’s been a regular this term.

Meanwhile, former Fulham youngster Roberts, who City forked out £12m for in the summer of 2015, has been plying his trade at Celtic of late.

Premier League's best youngsters XI

Sun, August 14, 2016

Express Sport brings you the best starting XI made up of Premier League youngsters

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Express Sport brings you our Premier League XI made up of the most promising youngsters in England
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Express Sport brings you our Premier League XI made up of the most promising youngsters in England

The 19-year-old winger shone on loan at the Scottish side in the second half of last season, and also returned for a second spell this term.

Messi rose through the youth ranks at Barca before establishing himself on the world stage at a young age.

And the five-time Ballon d’Or winner is backing Nathan and Roberts to not only make the grade at their parent clubs but reach the very top level.

Alongside the pair in the Argentinian’s top-10 list for Spanish newspaper Marca were the likes of New York Red Bulls’ Alex Muyl, Paris Saint-Germain’s Jean-Augustin Kevin and AC Milan’s Davide Calabria.

Nathan Roberts

Nathan has never made a first-team appearance for Chelsea, while Patrick Roberts has three for City

Messi actually faced Roberts in September’s Champions League clash between Barcelona and Celtic, and much is expected of the England Under-20 international in the future.

However, Nathan has the difficult prospect of breaking through at Stamford Bridge, with the Blues not well-renowned for bringing through their youth to become first-team regulars.

Roberts and Nathan will both stay with Celtic and Vitesse respectively until the end of the season as they continue their development.

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