A collection of young talents who will come to the boil in Premier League seas next term.
The Premier League has never been awash with such great talent as it is now. Clubs have realised the importance of a productive youth academy, making sure the output of graduates is there not just for their own needs, but for the good of football too.
All of the players on this list are in the midst of making their breakthrough season, or are on the verge of doing so next term. Some have been nurtured by their parent clubs and others have been drafted in from elsewhere, recognised for their raw talent and unlimited potential.
Ryo Miyaichi, 20, Arsenal
It’s not been the season that many had hoped for the young Japanese winger. After impressing on loan at Feyenoord and Bolton, the 20-year-old had been sent to Wigan at the start of the season to build learn under Roberto Martinez and build on the passing game that he tries to implement.
However, a series of knee injuries have ruled him out for the rest of the campaign. He’s likely to be loaned out again next year, and if he can stay fit he’ll undoubted be an asset to a side lacking a creative spark on the left wing.
Suso, 19, Liverpool
Having made waves in Liverpool’s development squad, Brendan Rodgers saw enough in him to promote him to the first team this season. He has a tendency to drift in and out of games but had impressed during the early stages of Liverpool’s Europa League campaign.
Expect to see more of Spaniard next season as he becomes acclimatised to the rigours of the Premier League.
Lucas Piazon, 19, Chelsea
Regarded by many as the ‘new Kaka,’ the 19-year-old has been sent out on loan to gain experience like so many others in Chelsea’s youth academy.
Currently on loan at Malaga, the Brazilian playmaker is in good company at the Andalusian club with the likes of Saviola, Joaquin and Isco to help him. Another loan next season does seem more than possible, preferably to another Premier League side to both help toughen him up and get him used to the pace of the English top flight.
Nick Powell, 18, Manchester United
Another player from Crewe Alexandra’s prolific production line, Powell was a surprise signing for United last summer.
Having featured fleetingly this season, Alex Ferguson rejected the chance to send him out on loan citing that he wanted him around the United squad to learn off the likes of Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes. With the legendary duo set to hang up their boots next season then Powell may find himself more involved in proceedings at Old Trafford.
Tom Carroll, 20, Tottenham Hotspur
Carroll is being watched closely by coaches at Spurs having once bagged 56 goals in 28 games for the youth team.
Spurs’ season is in danger of fizzling out, despite the electric form of Gareth Bale, and they could do worse than throwing the 20-year-old into the mix to breath some fresh life into their attack. Scott Parker hasn’t been able to replicate last season’s form, neither has Sandro, and Spurs can’t afford passengers at this stage, Carroll would certainly be hungry to impress.
Gary Gardner, 20, Aston Villa
The ‘new Steven Gerrard’ has had his problems with injuries since first breaking into the Villa squad last season.
Brother of Sunderland’s Craig, he is currently just returning from seven months out with a knee ligament injury but is set to feature heavily next season as Villa look to continue their emphasis on youth. A true pass master with an eye for goal, there are big expectations surrounding the younger Gardner brother.
Ross Barkley, 19, Everton
Recently returned from an impressive short loan spell at Leeds, boss David Moyes spoke to the press last week about how he expects the young midfielder to play a key part in Everton’s push for s top four finish.
Many who have watched him closely firmly believe that he will be one of the best players England has ever produced. If he has the desired impact this term then he could well become on of Everton’s key players next season as they frequently operate on a tight budget, making him a valuable commodity for the future.
Jack Butland, 20, Stoke City (on loan at Birmingham City)
The young Bristolian has made the Birmingham City #1 spot his own this season with a string of phenomenal performances despite a drab campaign in the Championship.
He turned down big money moves to Chelsea and Manchester City in order to sign for Stoke where he’d gain more first team experience. Already a full England international, Butland is all set for a bright future in the game and with Asmir Begovic likely to be moved on from the Potteries in the summer then the man back on loan at Birmingham could make the position his own.
Jonjo Shelvey, 21, Liverpool
After becoming Charlton’s youngest ever goalscorer in 2008, a dream move to liverpool materialised two years later.
A turbulent start to his career on Merseyside saw him depart on loan to Blackpool, but Brendan Rodgers has handed him a bigger role this year. Making 29 appearances in all competitions so far, thanks largely to his technical ability and tremendous vision. Having spent time on the bench recently, Rodger’s praised the England man’s attitude in training as he has shown a hunger to break into the Reds’ first team and stay there.
Wilfred Zaha, 20, Manchester United (on loan at Crystal Palace)
It was only a matter of time before somebody pounced for the electrifying forward and many have come to accept that at Manchester United he is in the safest of hands.
Ferguson had the foresight to send him back on loan to Palace, but in hindsight, with the title race effectively over he could well have had a small part to play in United’s run in. His pace, power and trickery could mark the end for Ashley Young who has so far failed to live up to the price tag.
Nathan Baker, 21, Aston Villa
Thrust into the action last season amidst an injury epidemic, Baker has strode on this term with some impressive performances that belie Villa’s lowly position.
Comfortable in the centre or on the left side of the defence, he frequently has little to no regard for his personal safety as he has often been substituted having injured himself in someway. Like a galloping Great Dane, he will run all day for you, but mostly into a closed patio door.
Kevin De Bruyne, 21, Chelsea
Chelsea will do well to keep hold of the Belgian midfielder after he has taken the Bundesliga by storm during an impressive loan spell with Werder Bremen.
Like his compatriot, Lukaku, a loan move to another Premier League club could be on the cards for the intelligent attacker. Whoever Chelsea’s new boss happens to be should be advised to use De Bruyne as he has now proven himself at the top level. A full Belgian international, he is able to link up will with those around him and has the vision to utilise space that others cannot see.
Matija Nastasic, 19, Manchester City
A virtual unknown when Roberto Mancini paid €15 million Euro’s to Fiorentina for his services last summer, the Serbian defender has won himself a number of fans across the country this season.
Hailed as ‘City’s rock,’ he’s kept the likes of Kolo Toure and Joleon Lescott out of the starting line up. Already a candidate for City’s player of the season, expect to see much more of the Serb international next term as he fully comes to grip with football in the Northeast.
James McCarthy, 22, Wigan Athletic
Now with over 100 appearance for Wigan, the rest of the league are only just waking up to the potential that the Scottish born, Ireland international possesses.
Should Wigan do down, expect a glut of clubs to scramble for his signature. One of the best passers of the ball in the league, he holds that awareness to create something from nothing and has been key in Wigan’s past great escapes. A must have for a team looking for a man to distribute the ball and fire in the belly for a scrap.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, 19, Arsenal
‘The Ox’ as he is known has bulit on the impressive reputation he made for himself at Southampton by fast becoming a fan favourite at Arsenal.
However, he still hasn’t established himself in the Gunners first team despite showing signs that he is more than capable of doing so. He injects a directness to Wenger’s style and though he is built like an ox, he’s as quick as a leopard. Not one afraid of a long range shot, Arsenal look more dangerous when he is in the side. He has already won the trust of England boss, Roy Hodgson, and has quickly gone on to make nine appearances for the national team.
Philippe Coutinho, 20, Liverpool
The Brazilian was highly sought after in January, but opted to join the Reds as his chances at Inter Milan were limited.
A renowned dribbler, the creative attacking midfielder arrived in Italy to much hype, or rather to too much hype. With all those heavy expectations on his shoulders he wasn’t able to express himself the way he likes to, which was shown on a short and successful loan spell with Espanyol last season. He’s already settling in well at Liverpool and has to potential to become a much more potent threat next season.
Romelu Lukaku, 19, Chelsea (on loan at West Bromwich Albion)
When Lukaku was brought in at Chelsea, many expected him to start scoring straight away, and were amazed that the then 17-year-old didn’t hit the ground running.
However, this season he has been firing on all cylinders under ex-Chelsea coach, Steve Clarke, at West Brom. Helping them to their best ever Premier League finish, the Belgian international has bagged 13 goals in 28 games so far, displaying his pace, power and lethal finishing ability. Chelsea have virtually guaranteed that he’ll be starting more often with them next season as his scoring record, and all-round general form, has put £50 million man, Fernando Torres, to shame.
Steven Caulker, 21, Tottenham Hotspur
Caulker is the latest in a long line of exciting English defensive talent, and he has proved this by already winning his first cap for the national side.
Quick, well built, and good in the air, Caulker improved on his passing abilities during a loan spell with Swansea City last season where he was named as the Premier Leagues third best defenders in terms of passing. With William Gallas moving on at the end of the season, and Youness Kaboul’s frequent injuries, the young man for Feltham is expected to be given more responsibility in the first team next term.
Gael Bigirimana, 19, Newcastle United
The midfielder from Burundi was considered a snip at just under £1 million when he signed from Coventry City last summer.
He announced himself in December when he hit a wonderful 20-yard effort in his side’s 3-0 win over Wigan. Alan Pardew sheepishly admitted that he had only been included in the squad that day due to injuries elsewhere, but if he continues to perform the way that he has then he’ll find himself in the squad on merit in no time. A natural athlete who will sweat blood for the team, he has become the first Burundian to play in the Premier League.
Andreas Weimann, 21, Aston Villa
Few had expected the young Austrian to have the impact he has had already this season, but there’s a sense that Villa have a real star on their hands here.
Brought into the squad last season after Darren Bent’s injury ruled him out for the rest of the campaign, Weimann scored two crucial goals to keep Villa in the Premier League. His tenacity and running made him stand out but this season his goals have added to his worth to the team. Comfortable up front or out wide, he has formed a terrifying partnership with Christian Benteke and already has 11 strikes this season. If Villa can tie him down to a new deal then next season they could have one of the leagues most natural finishers helping them move on from their current predicament.