The Premier League 2 games are still being played this season albeit, of course, behind closed doors at present due to the current lockdown situation.
COMPETITION FORMAT
There are twelve teams in each division with promotion and relegation between Division One and Division Two - there is no relegation from Division Two.
The twenty six clubs who compete have "Category One" status in the Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP). There are eighteen from the Premier League, Seven from the Championship and one from League One being Sunderland.
The bottom two teams in Division One are automatically relegated with the Division Two winners going up. Teams from 2nd to 5th go into a play-off - 2nd v 5th and 3rd v 4th followed by a final held at the club who finished highest in the league.
The age limit for the players in under 23 - All players born after 1st January 1997 are eligible to play for the 2020/21 season.
Each team can field a goalkeeper over the age limit and up to three over age outfield players in every match.
PREMIER LEAGUE 2 DIVISION ONE PREVIOUS WINNERS
2012/13 - MANCHESTER UNITED
2013/14 - CHELSEA
2014/15 - MANCHESTER UNITED
2015/16 - MANCHESTER UNITED
2016/17 - EVERTON
2017/18 - ARSENAL
2018/19 - EVERTON
2019/20 - CHELSEA
PREMIER LEAGUE 2 DIVISION ONE WINNERS
2014/15 - MIDDLESBOROUGH
2015/16 - DERBY COUNTY
2016/17 - SWANSEA CITY
2017/18 - BLACKBURN ROVERS
2018/19 - WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS
2019/20 - WEST HAM UNITED
Tottenham Hotspur currently lead the Division One table and have a huge game against Arsenal on Friday. The Gunners have won their last five league games scoring 17 goals in the process.
Here we take a look at some of players who have been making headlines in the league -
FOLARIN BALOGUN - ARSENAL - 19 years old.
England u20 International who recently played in a first team Europa League and League Cup games. The striker scored a hat-trick in his last game against Brighton & HA. Scored 10 in 15 PL2 appearances last season and has 6 in 11 this season. Also scored 2 goals in the 4 Europa League games he has played this season. His current contract with The Gunners expires in June and there are reports he may be moving to RB Leipzig in Germany.
THIERRY SMALL - EVERTON - 16 years old.
Born in Solihull and was with West Bromwich Albion's academy team up until 2016. The left back was a late substitute for The Toffees in their recent FA Cup victory over Sheffield Wednesday which made him the youngest ever first team player in the club's history aged at 16 years old and 176 days - the previous record was held by Jose Baxter who is now 28 years old and currently playing in America for USL Championship side Memphis 901. Small scored for Everton u23s in their 2-4 victory over Leicester City u23s on Monday evening.
J'NEIL BENNETT - TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR - 19 years old.
London born left winger who has lots of speed, trickery and has a good scoring record. Scored 8 in 12 goals for the uner 18s in 18/19 and is the answer to a quiz question as he scored the first ever competitive goal at Spur's new stadium in the u18s game against Southampton. Recently came off the bench to score two goals in Spurs u23's 1-2 victory at West Ham u23s.
LIAM DELAP - MANCHESTER CITY - 17 years old.
The son of former Southampton, Derby County and Stoke City player Rory Delap. He has already played for City's first team in the League Cup and Premier League. A centre forward who has played for England at u15, u16 and u17 level. Recently scored a hat-trick and was red carded for a late challenge on the half way line in a game against Derby County where he played between 2009 to 2019. Has scored 9 goals in the PL2 fixtures so far this season.
FABIO CARVALHO - FULHAM - 18 years old.
Winger who has played for England at u16, u17 and u18 level. Signed as a full professional at Craven Cottage in May last year and is contracted until June 2022. Made his first team debut in the League Cup against Sheffield Wednesday in September 2020. Has 8 goals and 5 assists in PL2 fixtures this season.
ARNAU PUIGAML - MANCHESTER UNITED - 20 years old.
Spanish goal scoring midfielder who has represented his country at u17, u18 and u19 level. Played in Espanyol's academy until the summer of 2017 when The Red Devils beat Barcelona to his signature. Can also play at right back and across the midfield. Has 6 goals in Man United's PL2 fixtures this season. Played in United's u23 games in the Papa Johns Trophy this season. Contract with United expires in June 2021.
LUCAS BERGSTROM - CHELSEA - 18 years old.
Finnish goalkeeper contracted with the West London side until 2024. Has made six PL2 appearances for Cheslea U23s this season with Croatian Ziegar Karlo, 19, playing 4 games who played on loan with Sutton United in the National League last season. The youngster Petr Cech, 38, has also played in one PL2 game this season. Bergstrom will certainly be learning lots for Cech.
LOUIE BARRY - ASTON VILLA - 17 years old.
Made headlines when scoring for Villa v Liverpool in their recent FA Cup game. Born in Sutton Coldfield he was with West Bromwich Albion's academy between 2009 to 2019 before signing for Barcelona with PSG also showing interest in the highly talented forward player. He joined Villa for a fee of £880,000 in January 2020 which could rise to £3.5m. He has played for England at u15, u16 and u17 level as well as Republic Of Ireland at u16 and u17 whom he he qualifies via his Grandparents. Clearly a player with a huge future in the game.
DANE SCARLETT - TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR - 16 years old.
Striker who has scored 2 in 2 PL2 games for Spurs this season and represented England at u15 and u16 level. Was Spur's youngest ever player when coming on in the Europa League game played against Ludogrets in November when he was 16 years old and 247 days. This only last until January when ALFIE DEVINE who is another highly promising player came on in the FA Cup game against Marine aged 16 and 163 days. Scarlett scored 5 goals for the u18s in their recent FA Youth Cup win over Newport County.
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