Arsenal And Liverpool Proteges Among Premier League’s Top 10 Breakthrough Stars Of 2014/15

Everton, Man City, Spurs, Man United, Chelsea and Southampton starlets also feature.

Ten youngsters who could potentially make big names for themselves in the English top flight this season:

Jordan Ibe – Liverpool

Winger Ibe has already made three first-team appearances for the Reds, but he is likely to get much more senior game time this term.

The 18-year-old set up both of his side’s goals in Saturday’s 2-1 friendly win at Preston North End.

Ibe, who spent the latter part of last season on loan at Birmingham City, has been capped six times by England at Under-19 level, scoring four goals.

Ryan Ledson – Everton

Central midfielder Ledson played a starring role in England’s triumph at the UEFA Under-17 European Championship in Malta earlier this summer.

The 16-year-old captained his country and scored from the spot as the Three Lions beat the Netherlands in a penalty shootout in the final.

Everton have a strong reputation for blooding talented teenagers, so Ledson could get a chance to shine this season.Karim Rekik – Manchester City

Dutch centre-back Rekik joined City from Feyenoord in 2011.

He has made just one Premier League appearance to date, playing 84 minutes in a 1-0 win over Reading in December 2012.

The 19-year-old spent last season on loan at PSV, where he started 25 Eredivisie games.

He made his senior international debut for the Netherlands in March and he was included in Louis van Gaal’s provisional 30-man World Cup squad, before failing to make the cut.
Harrison Reed – Southampton

Midfielder Reed impressed during four substitute appearances in the Premier League last season.

He looked confident and composed in possession, so much so that the 19-year-old was compared to Manchester United legend Paul Scholes.

However, Reed was keen to play down the comparison, suggesting that the media’s link had as much to do with his ginger hair as his footballing ability.

James Wilson – Manchester United

Wilson has made just one senior appearance for the Red Devils, but he made quite an impact on his debut.

The Staffordshire-born 18-year-old scored twice as United saw off Hull City 3-1 in the Premier League in May.

Ryan Giggs, who was caretaker manager at the time, has tipped Wilson to achieve big things.

Lewis Baker – Chelsea

Midfielder Baker has enjoyed an impressive preseason so far.

The 19-year-old provided three assists as Chelsea beat AFC Wimbledon 3-2 on Saturday. He also looked sharp when the Blues thrashed Wycombe Wanderers 5-0 earlier this month.

Baker has made just one senior appearances for the Stamford Bridge club so far, appearing as a sub in January’s 2-0 win at Derby County in the FA Cup.

He scored 17 times for Chelsea’s Under-21 side last term.Sam McQueen – Southampton

Winger McQueen penned a four-year contract at St Mary’s in June.

The 19-year-old, who has been with Southampton since he was eight, could help fill the void left by Adam Lallana’s departure to Liverpool.

He made his senior Saints debut as a second-half sub in a 1-0 loss to Sunderland in the FA Cup back in February.Kristoffer Peterson – Liverpool

Sweden Under-21 winger Peterson, who can also play as a striker, has yet to feature in a competitive game for the Reds.

However, he has found the net in each of Liverpool’s two preseason friendlies this summer, bagging goals against Brondby and Preston.

Peterson, 19, went out on loan to Tranmere Rovers last term, starting seven matches for the Birkenhead side.Gedion Zelalem – Arsenal

Zelalem has only been a member of the Arsenal family since 2013.

The 17-year-old midfielder was born in Berlin and has represented Germany at three different youth levels, but he could yet opt to play for the USA, having spent much of his life in the States.

Zelalem is an excellent passer of the ball and he is an exciting dribbler too.

His one senior Gunners appearance to date came during a 4-0 win over Coventry City in the FA Cup in January.Milos Veljkovic – Tottenham Hotspur

Veljkovic is a tall elegant ball-playing centre-back.

The 18-year-old Serbia youth international made two substitute appearances in the Premier League towards the end of last season.

He is likely to get plenty of first-team action this term, especially in the Europa League, but quite possibly domestically too.