Ten young players who could make an impact in 2013/14.
10. Gary Gardner (Aston Villa)
This 20-year-old is one of the brightest prospects coming out of Aston Villa’s youth system at the moment. The young brother of Sunderland’s Craig Gardner, Gary is a similarly skillful central midfielder with good technique and an eye for goal. Some bad luck with injuries have halted his progress so far, but he could be ready to make an impact next season, with manager Paul Lambert showing a good willingness to trust his young players.
9. Jordan Ibe (Liverpool)
This talented winger attracted big attention when he made his debut as a 15-year-old for former club Wycombe Wanderers in League 2. Now 17, he made his Premier League debut in Liverpool’s final game of the season against Queens Park Rangers, and impressed with an assist for the winning goal by Coutinho. With the Reds in need of wingers and keen to promote their youngsters, Ibe could be featuring a lot more at Anfield next season, or at least on loan with another Premier League club.
8. Serge Gnabry (Arsenal)
Serge Gnabry is very highly thought of at Arsenal, and really caught the eye this season with his stand-out displays in the NextGen Series. The 17-year-old winger also came close to the first team on several occasions, with brief but impressive substitute appearances in the Premier League, Champions League and League Cup. Signed from Stuttgart at the start of the season, he looks like being another big talent coming out of German football at the moment. With Arsene Wenger’s fondness for young players, we could be seeing more of Gnabry next year.
7. Jonathan Williams (Crystal Palace)
A regular in the Crystal Palace team since the age of 18, Jonathan Williams has shown himself to be one of their best players in their promotion-winning year. The midfielder will now be on show in the top flight next season and is regarded by some as a bigger prospect than team-mate Wilfried Zaha. Such is his talent, Arsenal have been linked with the young Welshman, so it might not necessarily be Palace we see him playing for next year.
6. Joel Campbell (Arsenal)
There is a lot of excitement at Arsenal about Joel Campbell, who was signed two years ago but who should now be eligible for a work permit to play in England. The 20-year-old has impressed on loan at French side Lorient and in La Liga with Real Betis, earning a reputation as a skillful winger/forward with a powerful left foot. He is already a regular for the senior Costa Rica national side, and could make an immediate impact in the Gunners’ first team next season.
5. Nathaniel Chalobah (Chelsea)
This 18-year-old midfielder plays with a maturity beyond his years and has been a stand-out performer on loan at Watford in the Championship this season. Despite being unable to help his side to victory in the playoff final, he has enhanced his reputation hugely, and could challenge for a first team place at Chelsea next season. Watford had hoped to keep him permanently if they won promotion, and Arsenal have also shown an interest in the England Under-21 international, so the Blues are keen to tie him down to a new contract as soon as possible.
4. Raheem Sterling (Liverpool)
Although Raheem Sterling will be a pretty familiar face to many already, Premier League fans could see much more from him next season. The 18-year-old winger is one of the hottest prospects at Liverpool and has had a lot of expectation on his young shoulders, leading to some inconsistent displays in his first season as part of the first team. His potential is great, and next season should see him establish himself as a regular starter and more influential player, possibly for England as well as Liverpool.
3. Jack Butland (Stoke City)
This young goalkeeper has earned rave reviews for his performances in the Championship with Birmingham City over the last couple of seasons, and a deal was agreed in January for him to join Stoke this summer. The 20-year-old is a talented shot-stopper who has his head screwed on, rejecting a move to Chelsea as he was not content to be a backup player. He already has one cap for England and should add to that with Premier League football next season. Butland was voted Birmingham’s Young Player of the Year this year by the club’s fans.
2. Luke Shaw (Southampton)
Luke Shaw is another familiar name, but one who is only going to get even better next season. The 17-year-old has shown great potential in his first season as a first team regular, and has attracted attention from Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham. The Saints may struggle to keep this latest talent developed in their youth team, and it will be worth watching Shaw again if he is a regular in one of the big sides, where he can really shine.
1. Wilfried Zaha (Manchester United)
Manchester United fought Arsenal hard in January for Wilfried Zaha, one of the most talented players playing out of the top flight. The 20-year-old was then loaned back to Crystal Palace and helped them win promotion via the playoffs. There is talk that he could be loaned back to the Eagles for their Premier League campaign, though many at United think he is ready to go straight into the first team at Old Trafford. Either way, Zaha is one of the most exciting prospects in the country and his Premier League debut will be eagerly anticipated by many.