For all the frankly ridiculous money that the Barclays Premier League possesses, the new season brings with it a sense of great anticipation, in particular with a keen eye on the birth of new stars onto the English football landscape. Whilst the old guard at many top-flight clubs will remain the same this season, the fact remains that a host of promising youngsters are clamouring at the door for inclusion not only into the First Team squad but possibly, given a mixture of luck, injuries and consistently impressive displays in the reserves, a very first taste of First Team football.
Ryo Miyaichi (Arsenal)
Described by Arsène Wenger as an “exceptional talent”, the 18 year-old lit up the Dutch Eredivisie last season during his loan spell at Feyenoord. Quick on his feet and with exceptional ball control, it’s little wonder that the starlet has been described as the Japanese Lionel Messi. His natural pace means he’s more than willing to track back. A regular in the Japanese National Youth Teams, the old fashioned winger, who can play on either flank, does what all fans want to see and that is running at defenders and getting some white chalk on those boots!
David Hoilett (Blackburn Rovers)
A product of the Youth Academy at Ewood Park, the Canadian-born midfielder come striker made his mark at Rovers at the end of last season. He has since blossomed under manager Steve Kean, and will look to tie a regular place in the starting XI and become an important creative outlet for the Lancashire outfit. Like Miyaichi, Hoilett is not afraid to take on defenders – using his trickery and physicality to his advantage. His eye-catching performances have already drawn many suitors with clubs not doubt aware that he will be out of contract come next summer.
Josh McEacheran (Chelsea)
In what has been deemed by some to be an ageing Chelsea midfield, young English central midfield star McEacheran may well be seen to be the long-term replacement for Frank Lampard. He possesses a great deal of attacking intent, demonstrated in the handful of appearances he’s already made in both the Barclays Premier League and UEFA Champions League Group Stages. Composed on the ball and with excellent anticipation and vision, the Oxford-born midfielder has the ability to unlock defences. He’s garnering a reputation for his accurate set pieces and especially his lethal and exceptionally powerful left-foot.
Ross Barkley (Everton)
Another product from the fantastic Academy at Goodison Park which has churned out the likes of Wayne Rooney and Jack Rodwell, Barkley has the potential to be just as good if not better, dare I say it, as the aforementioned pair. A tricky box-to-box winger who takes on defenders at will and is always willing to take a pop at goal, the youngster has made a great impression for The Toffees early on this season. Bright, creative and with a terrific eye for picking out a pass, expect to hear a lot more about this special talent.
Pajtim Kasami (Fulham)
The former Palermo midfielder is the latest star to emerge from Switzerland following the likes of Xherdan Shaqiri and Granit Xhaka. He has been hailed by Fulham manager Martin Jol as a “great talent” – a sentiment echoed by those in the Swiss FA. He impressed during his solitary season in Serie A whilst also making notable appearances in the UEFA Europa League. Tall, lean and tricky, the Macedonian-born playmaker has made a solid enough start to his Fulham career, particularly catching the eye in the clubs recent UEFA Europa League tie against the Ukranian side FC Dnipro.
Martin Kelly (Liverpool)
With regular right-back Glen Johnson increasingly susceptible to injury lay-offs, the impressive Kelly has certainly made a charge to tie down a regular spot in Kenny Dalglish’s new-look Liverpool team. Like the blue half of Merseyside, Liverpool have a knack of producing excellent young players with Kelly joined by the likes of fellow full-back John Flanagan and striker Nathan Eccleston. He’s always looking to go on the offensive – a mentality shared by right-winger Dirk Kuyt – and his maturity, which will continue to grow under Dalglish’s guidance, has been regularly demonstrated through his excellent composure on the ball.
Ravel Morrison (Manchester United)
Highly regarded by many senior coaches at Old Trafford, the lighting quick and powerful Morrison has already been tipped to be the long-term replacement to United legend Ryan Giggs. The Wythenshawe-born midfielder has been impressive in the Youth set-up at United, in particular playing a starring role in The Red Devils FA Youth Cup Final win over Sheffield United last season, scoring two goals in the process. It is unlikely that he will feature in the First Team set-up this season however he will undoubtedly be involved in United’s Carling Cup campaign as Ferguson unleashes the kids.
Sammy Ameobi (Newcastle United)
The youngest in the Ameobi dynasty, Sammy is hoping to emulate eldest brother Shola at St James’s Park. Athletic and lively upfront, he’s been excellent in the reserves competing with fellow stars Phil Airey and Slovenian starlet Haris VuÄkić. Like his brother, Ameobi has opted to play for Nigeria and was recently been called up to the Nigeria U-20 squad for the 2011 African Youth Championships in South Africa. He’s on the fringes of the First Team and with a lack of striker depth at United, may well get the nod from The Magpies manager Alan Pardew.
Ryan Noble (Sunderland)
With The Black Cats manager Steve Bruce currently short of options in the striking department, young Englishman Noble could possibly be primed for an important role in the Sunderland set-up this season. A string of standout performances for the Sunderland Reserves have seen Noble acquire a place in the England U-19 Football Team. He has been unlucky with a string of injuries which curtailed both of his loan spells last season at Npower Championship sides Watford and Derby County. It therefore means that keeping fit is essential as he continues his development at the Stadium of Light.
Jake Livermore (Tottenham Hotspur)
Composed, athletic and tall, Livermore has the potential to perhaps be a commanding presence in Spurs midfield in the future. With the Luka Modrić transfer saga continuing to rumble on, Livermore will feel that if he can keep up the good form which he demonstrated in pre-season, he could well have a run in the Spurs First Team. However, if reports are to be believed, the Englishman could form part of a transfer deal package which will see Scott Parker move to White Hart Lane with the youngster moving to Upton Park in a loan deal.
Twitter: @aleksklosok
