Iheanacho, Iwobi in line for UEFA Golden Boy award

Kelechi Iheanacho and Alex Iwobi have been named among the shortlist for this year’s edition of the Uefa Golden Boy award released on Thursday.

The Nigerian duo, have impressed this season in the English Premier League but will face 38 other nominees for the award to recognise the best player under the age of 21.

Iheanacho has been in fine form since he got his bow in the first team of Manchester City last term under Manuel Pellegrini, and has since gone on to score 10 Premier League goals from just 14 shots on target in 30 appearances.

Arsenal midfielder Iwobi has made 17 league appearances and has scored twice in those run-outs for the Gunners.

However, the 40-man shortlist for the Golden Boy has an impressive list of youngsters that include Dele Alli, Marko Grujic, Lucas Hernandez, Kingsley Coman, Marcus Rashford, Moussa Dembele, Youri Tielemans, Leroy Sane, Renato Sanches, Ousmane Dembele and Gabriel Barbosa among others.

The Golden Boy award, which began in 2003, is always decided by a panel of journalists.