Ten youngsters to watch

By Nick Miller   Last updated: 26th August 2008

Jack Wilshere Arsenal

Wilshere: Making an impact at Arsenal

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With a quiet transfer market and the prospect of a seven-strong bench, this season could well be the campaign for the youngsters. Nick Miller picks out ten whipper-snappers that could make an impact.


Jack Wilshere, 16, Arsenal
Everyone gets terrifically excited when an Englishman with a left-foot shows up (see Downing, Stewart), but early reports suggest this lad could be the real thing. A winger who can play up front, Wilshere may be legally unable to buy cigarettes (you have to be 18 now apparently. No, us neither) but he's been impressing all and sundry with his goalscoring exploits in the reserves, and bagged a good few for Arsenal in pre-season. It may sound insignificant, but his elevation from squad number 55 to 19 shows Wilshere will be competing with the likes of Carlos Vela for a spot in the Gunners' first team, if only perhaps for the Carling Cup jollies.


Lukas Fabianski, 23, Arsenal
Purchased last summer, Fabianski was restricted to a handful of appearances last term, and although he was the man between the sticks in the humiliating 5-1 spanking at the hands of Spurs, the Pole showed some promise. More significantly, Fabianski's showing in the friendly against Juventus prompted Arsene Wenger to tell the gents of the press that he was the reason Jens Lehmann has not been directly replaced.


Rafael da Silva, 18, Manchester United
Signed along with brother and fellow full-back Fabio, Rafael da Silva seemed to make an impression on Alex Ferguson in pre-season prompting the Scot to say: "The young players were fantastic and young Rafael the right-back was a sensation for me." And with Gary Neville not too far away from retirement, things are looking up for the young Brazilian.


David Ngog, 19, Liverpool
While his goalscoring record (one in 19 games for PSG) might not be too impressive, Ngog showed some promise in netting one of Liverpool's four against Rangers at the weekend. The Frenchman is tall and powerful, making him perhaps a more obvious candidate to fill in for Fernando Torres.


Jack Rodwell, 17, Everton
England Under-16 captain Rodwell has already made a couple of appearances for Everton, and the club made quite a fanfare of him signing a professional contract in March. What really bodes well for his prospects this season is both his versatility (he can play at the back and in midfield) and Everton's chronic lack of depth, something David Moyes is getting increasingly worked up about. A mention too for Jose Baxter, a 16-year-old striker causing murmurs after a terrific strike against Forest in pre-season.


James Tomkins, 19, West Ham
A tall centre-half, more than comfortable on the ball, Tomkins already has half-a-dozen first team appearances under his belt at Upton Park. Should he kick on this season, Tomkins could establish himself in Alan Curbishley's starting XI given - Matt Upson aside - the distinctly average nature of his competition.


Freddie Sears, 18, West Ham
By the time Sears made his goal-scoring debut for the first team last season, the young striker had already bagged 25 in 24 for West Ham's reserves. While his prominence at the back end of last season had a lot to do with the injury crisis at Upton Park, Sears will be confident of getting a few more games given only the brittle Dean Ashton, Craig Bellamy and Carlton Cole stand in his way.


Chris Gunter, 19, Spurs
Gunter was one of four defenders signed by Juande Ramos in January, and after the sale of Pascal Chimbonda the Welsh full-back has moved a step up in the White Hart Lane pecking order. Given that Spurs are likely to be competing on four fronts in the coming campaign, Gunter's ability to play on both the right and left could mean he gets a good few matches.


Jamie O'Hara, 21, Spurs
He's not a new name, having made 17 appearances last season, but O'Hara could play a crucial role for Spurs in the coming months. Their summer purchases have heavily favoured the more skilful, attacking side of the Spurs team, so O'Hara's energy and tough-tackling might prove a useful foil for the likes of Modric, Bentley and Dos Santos.


Ched Evans, 19, Manchester City
Mark Hughes is apparently in the market for another striker before the season starts, but should young Welshman Evans continue the sort of form he showed while on loan at Norwich last season, Hughes may be able to put the chequebook away. Evans scored ten goals for City, but perhaps more impressive was the quality of the strikes - nearly all of them pearlers. Evans was rewarded with a new three-year contract in July, not something that a manager like Hughes hands out to chumps.

Who should we be keeping an eye on this season? Let us know using the form below.

Comments

Chris White (Arsenal fan) says...

Wilshere is obviously the most exciting Arsenal talent. Vela is also going to be an excellent player but why stop there? The great news for Arsenal fans is that Arsene Wenger has a number of players coming through who have yet to make the first team, even in the Carling Cup!!!

Posted 15:54 14th November 2008

Brad Walsh (Arsenal fan) says...

There's a lad coming through at Arsenal called Rory Deacon. Only 15 but a class act up front - another one of the young guns with a very bright future.

Posted 15:44 14th November 2008

Shane Blockley (Leeds United fan) says...

As fine as these players are, it is my belief that none will go as far in the game as Fabian Delph of Leeds United. I have watched Leeds now for 25 years and I have not seen anyone explode on a team like this youngster. He has it all and WILL be a future star for England. 7 MOTM performances in 10 games at this young age in any league is something very special. I just hope we can hold onto him.

Posted 13:12 27th October 2008

John Grant (Leeds United fan) says...

Fabian delph, superstar in the team already at 18 and is scoring wonder goals.

Posted 12:10 27th October 2008

Matt Akerman (Blackburn Rovers fan) says...

How about Matt Derbyshire? Could make a break into the first team for Rovers because he's played really well when he's been on the pitch, makes really intelligent runs and is in the right place at the right time more than many players could claim to be. This next one some of you will say is already proven, but I reckon Walcott could come on leaps and bounds this season if he plays regularly. I think he could be a young player to have your eyes on.

Posted 11:40 25th October 2008

Andrew Westray (Sunderland fan) says...

I think Frazier Campbell for Man United looks sharp with bundles of energy, and if he can control his temperament he will be a great player. Also my tip is that Martyn Waghorn a local lad from Sunderland will make it in the Premiership, due to his obvious talent and his strength and build and his goalscoring record in the youth team and reserves is second to none.

Posted 13:43 26th August 2008

Andy Johnson (Aston Villa fan) says...

Nathan Delfouneso for villa. the same attributes as gabby and with bags of skill

Posted 13:06 26th August 2008

Andy Cogdon (Sunderland fan) says...

Martyn Waghorn - Sunderland 18yo - currently out for 10 weeks with a knee injury but one of the hottest young prospects in english football

Posted 12:39 26th August 2008

Craig Hickey (Newcastle United fan) says...

James Milner, Charles N'Zogbia. Simple.

Posted 12:17 26th August 2008

Simon Denney (Manchester City fan) says...

Daniel Sturridge looks more of a prospect than Ched Evens at the moment

Posted 11:50 26th August 2008

Bob Nickson (Wigan Athletic fan) says...

Jose Baxter for everton, he is only 16 and is a huge talent.

Posted 11:15 26th August 2008

Khalid Ali (Liverpool fan) says...

i think dani pacheco could be one of the suprise package this season for liverpool

Posted 10:04 26th August 2008

Ben Hue (Manchester United fan) says...

Daniel Sturridge - Man City

Posted 09:40 26th August 2008

Matt Smith (Newcastle United fan) says...

There are a lot of promising youngsters coming through at Newcastle : Tim Krul , Fraser Forster and Ole Soderburg (all goalkeepers) Ben Tozer and Tamas Kadar (Defenders) Kazenga Lua lua (Midfeilder) and Ryan Donaldson , Andy Carroll and Fabio Zamblera (Strikers)

Posted 09:15 26th August 2008

Simon Christmas (Liverpool fan) says...

What about Kriztian Nemeth, he is going to be a superstar, Rafa see's a lot of promise in this kid and don't be suprised to see him in a line-up if any injurys occur. Rafa has been talking him up all summer and last season in the reserves he was a shining light in the forward line where lets face it liverpool have struggled in the past 5 years the exception of Torres ofcourse! But yeah look out for this kid, i reckon he could be next in the picking order above David N'Gog.

Posted 09:00 26th August 2008

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