Premier League Starlets

Some youngsters to keep your eye on next season

It’s strange to think that Jack Robinson is till only 18. When the Warrington-born left-back made his debut at just the tender age of 16, he became the youngest player to ever play for Liverpool Football Club. Since then, his progress has been understandably, a lot slower and injuries have played their part in preventing the youngster from adding to his three league appearances. But make no mistake, Robinson is a real talent- his subduing of Theo Walcott during a 1-1 draw at the Emirates showed maturity way beyond his years, but more importantly, the sort of discipline and ability needed to succeed at this level. It will be difficult to dislodge the imposing Jose Enrique at left-back, but if he’s given the chance, Robinson is more than adept enough to make his mark.
Small, tricky, technically gifted and Spanish. Remind you of any other Manchester City players? The comparisons between young Denis Suarez and David Silva have already been made aplenty and although the youngster has a long way to go in his career, he undoubtedly beholds the raw, natural talent that Silva once displayed in his Valencia days. Poached from Celta Vigo last year, Suarez’s first team outings in a City shirt amounted to a 23-minute cameo against Wolves in the League Cup. It may seem absurd to think that Suarez could make an impact in a team of stars which is only set to get bigger this summer, but with Financial Fair Play set to be coming in imminently, City’s owners are said to be looking to the well-invested and superb academy that they have, to produce the next generation of City stars. Denis Suarez is a genuine talent and don’t be surprised if Roberto Mancini looks to the Spaniard to make a cameo next term.

There wasn’t much to cheer about as an Aston Villa supporter last season, but the emergence of centre midfielder Gary Gardner was a rare highlight in a disappointing campaign. The 19-year-old may be the brother of Sunderland star Craig, but if he keeps progressing at his current rate, then he could well surpass the achievements of his ex-Birmingham City brother. A great all round midfielder, his starting role in Villa’s 3-2 win away at Wolves showcased Gardner’s talents and new boss Paul Lambert won’t be afraid to throw him into action if he deems him good enough.
Being an English teenager trying to breakthrough at Goodison Park isn’t the easiest of tasks these days. The looming specter of Wayne Rooney’s explosive debut will always demand comparisons. But for Ross Barkley, comparisons with the now England talisman aren’t quite so ludicrous at all. The 18-year-old made an impressive impression on all who watched him during the early stages of the Toffee’s campaign last season, before injury hampered his campaign. But he showed enough to ensure that all eyes will be on the Wavertree born midfielder next season. Indeed, Martin Keown even went as far as claiming that “[Barkley] will be one of the best players we’ll ever see in this country.” Everton coach Jimmy Lumsden has seen his fair share of talent at the club, but he recently said: “He’s as good as anyone I’ve seen in the middle of the park, and could be anything he wants.” With Everton being a team that have known to give younger players a chance over the years, you can be sure that Barkley will be given a chance to breakthrough onto the big stage.
With the likes of Eden Hazard, Marko Marin and Kevin de Bruyne all joining the Chelsea payroll this summer, it would seem relatively unlikely that any young attacking starlet from the academy would be able to breakthrough into the team next season. In that case, you would be mistaken. Piazon, who was picked up from Sao Paulo in 2011, was acquired in a deal that could eventually rise to £10million; a fee that every top club in Europe was willing to pay. The 18-year-old is versatile, able to play as an attacking midfielder, winger or in the hole and his skill and influence on the ball is of outstanding quality. One of a number of bright talents in the Chelsea ranks, Piazon bares more than a physical resemblance to his fellow countryman, Kaka. Although he has played down comparison, you can’t help but notice his similar allure when in control of a football. A superb talent who could well shake things up at Stamford Bridge.
Spurs have invested plenty into the youth set-up at White Hart Lane over the years and taken their fair share of criticism in the process. But the results finally seem to be paying off and centre midfielder Tom Carroll is the pick of the talented bunch. But far from the usual rough and tumble, all-action English midfielder that is produced in this country, Carroll is of the continental mould. Astute on the ball and technically gifted, the 20-year-old once scored 56 goals in 28 games in the under-16s and his appearances in the Europa League last season made supporters sit up and take notice. He’s far from the finished article, but with a new manager coming in and the departure of Luka Modric a real possibility, who knows what the new season may bring for the youngster.
The prodigious 17-year-old is arguably a more exciting prospect than any potential signing Liverpool may make this summer. The Red’s fought of competition from just about every other Premier League club to sign the teen who was a regular in the QPR under-18’s when he as just 14 himself. His ex-coach, Steve Gallen, once said of Sterling: “this boy can pass, shoot, head it, score goals, tackle, defend, anything.” Sterling, who once scored five against Southend in a FA Youth Cup fixture, has already made three league appearances for Liverpool but Kenny Dalglish came in for criticism in some quarters for his handling of the youngster. But new boss Brendan Rodgers could really give Sterling a platform to perform next season.
Signed from Charlton in the summer of last year, ’s Arsenal career could well have been mortally scarred during his part in the horrific 8-2 loss at Old Trafford last season. But the right-back recovered from the drubbing and showed plenty of promise in his debut season at the Emirates. The 20-year old offers plenty going forward and posseses a wicked delivery and whilst he has w**k to do defensively, Arsene Wenger still saw it fit to give Jenkinson 14 outings in all competitions last season. Bacary Sagna will be no easy fixture to displace in the first team, but if the Frenchman maintains his unlucky injury run, it could open the door for Jenkinson to make himself a real star in this Arsenal team.
All Spurs fans are more than clued up enough about Danny Rose. No one will every forget his outrageous volley against Arsenal in their infamous 2-1 victory at White Hart Lane in 2010 and the ex-Leeds man is still only 21, despite being at the club since 2007. His development seems to have stunted since Harry Redknapp began deploying him as a left-back and his future still seems set to be as a left-winger. But Rose has bags of pace, a trick or two and reliable delivery. A run of games under the new manager at White Hart Lane could turn his luck around and he still has the potential to have a real impact in the Premier League
Ryo Miyaichi seems like one of those teen prodigy’s who has been around forever., such has been the incessant hype around the Japanese winger. Snapped up by Arsene Wenger after a successful trial in 2010, Miyaichi has since had solid loan spells at both Feyenoord and Bolton, where he won their player of the month award for February. Lightning quick and extremely skillful, Gunners fans are well clued up on the man the Japenese media have enjoyed comparing to Lionel Messi and all at the Emirates have very high hopes for him. He will surely get his chance to shine at some point next season and all will depend on how he copes with the expectation, but he certainly has enough raw talent to make an impact in the Premier League.
West Ham United’s famous academy hasn’t had quite the success of yesteryear in recent times, but it seems to have produced a real talent in the form of defender Daniel Potts. Son of former Hammers captain Steve, Potts’ superb debut performance against Barnsley last season, made fans stands up and take notice. Still only 18, Potts was understandably used sparingly by Sam Allardyce last season, but he appeared solid and composed enough in his three outings in claret and blue to suggest he has a real future at the football club. If the chance arises, as it did for his debut, be sure to look out for Potts in the Premier League next season.
Whenever a top club, especially one with the stature of Manchester United, snaps up a young, English talent, expectation always goes through the roof- often unfairly. But Nick Powell isn’t your average 18-year-old. A product of the infamous Crewe Alexandra production line, Powell fired in 14 goals from midfield last season and he won every award available at Crewe’s end of season awards. Most expect the £4million signing to be farmed out on loan, but reports seem to contradict that. Sir Alex Ferguson has already shown with Phil Jones last season that he isn’t afraid to fire his young players straight into the first team. And if he really is keeping Powell at the club next season, then maybe we really can expect a real impact next season.
The 2011-12 season could be a real watershed one for the absurdly talented Kerim Frei. The 18-year-old is only 18-years-old, but he has racked up 16 league appearances for Fulham already. A pacey customer with quick feet and a low centre of gravity, the comparisons with Lionel Messi are understandably a little absurd, although the Turkish-Austrian starlet certainly likes to play in a similar style to the Argentine. Having always had a positive impact for the Cottagers whenever he has come on, Frei seems to have the all-important backing of his manager Martin Jol. It would appear that if you’re good enough, you’re old enough and expect Frei to make a real impact in the Premier League next season.
A young player that has been in the headlines, it seems as though Ezekiel Fryers is ready to make the step up to Premier League level- or at least he seems to think so anyway. The young left-back looks set to leave Old Trafford this summer for either Newcastle or Tottenham, but don’t doubt for a second that Fryers isn’t leaving to try and play first-team football. It’s always worrying when any young player seems to leave a club under a cloud of uncertainty, but the athletic Fryers seems to have all the tools a modern full-back needs to survive in the Premier

Think i remember seeing that Barkley feller early last season.. looked very good

My favourite line has to be "the 18 year old who is only 18 years old...."

The journalist, who wrote this, hopes to be a journalist when he grows up. Or an Astronaut. Or a Pop Star.