This website has gained a reputation as one of the best sources for reading up on the young talents of World Football. Attracting readers with our extensive Scout Reports on some of the best young & rising football stars, we have decided to continue our focus on the next generation. We were instrumental with our comprehensive reporting on the hugely popular U21 European Championship this summer, with our Tactical Player Reports. Keeping in tune with this focus, we are dedicated to educating readers on the best young talents to watch out for with our latest feature.
The Premier League remains the most watched domestic football league in the World. Given its attraction, the league features a vast diversity of nationalities which has infiltrated into the younger age groups as well. Many clubs are now going for a youthful approach making it an exciting time for those interested in discovering the next gem.
10 Best Young Players in the 2014/15 Premier League season | Part One | Part Two |
This is a list of the Top 10 Young Premier League Players who viewers should keep an eye on. To maintain standardisation, only players who are 21 and below (and will remain so until August 31st, 2013) have been included in the list. The likes of Romelu Lukaku and Philippe Coutinho have been ignored as these players, despite being below 21, are well established names and will be “watched-out for” without our recommendation. Talents like Adnan Januzaj and Jordan Ibe, although skillful, are unlikely to feature much for their teams and have hence been exempted from the list.
UPDATE: Mid-Season Report
10. Jonathan Williams
Age: 19 years old
Club: Crystal Palace
Nationality: Welsh
Position: Attacking Midfielder
A Welsh International at the tender age of 19, Jonathan Williams has all the ingredients to be Wales’ next big sensation. Having come through the ranks, he secured Palace’s Young Player of the Year award last season. The diminutive Welshman will look to make his mark in the Premier League this season.
Click here to read a detailed scout report on Jonathan Williams
9. Luke Shaw
Age: 18 years old
Club: Southampton
Nationality: English
Position: Left-back
A product of the famed Southampton academy, Shaw’s been touted as the ‘new Gareth Bale’ by the media. While he has a long way to go to live up to that comparison, one can’t help but be excited by him. Last season was his breakthrough one, as the then 17-year-old impressed onlookers in the 25 league appearances he chalked up for the Saints.
Click here to view his detailed scout report on Luke Shaw
8. Raheem Sterling
Age: 18 years old
Club: Liverpool
Nationality: English
Position: Winger
The Jamaican born winger moved to Merseyside from QPR in 2010 and hasn’t looked back since. Signed by Rafa Benitez, it was last season under Brendan Rodgers when he made the world sit up and take notice. Starring in the first half of the campaign, he was protected from burnout to an extent in the second. Having notched up 36 appearances for Liverpool and a senior cap for England last season, Sterling will be hoping to play a crucial role this time around.
7. Wilfried Zaha
Age: 20 years old
Club: Manchester United
Nationality: English
Position: Winger
Zaha is the second Crystal Palace academy product to make the list. Despite being only 20, Zaha can boast of over 140 senior appearances for Palace and an England cap. Having secured a move to Manchester United in January, he returned to Palace and helped secure their promotion to the top flight. After impressing in pre-season, he’ll be hoping to force his way in Moyes’ starting XI this season.
Click here to view a detailed scout report on Wilfried Zaha
6. Luis Alberto
Age: 20 years old
Club: Liverpool
Nationality: Spanish
Position: Winger
Luis Alberto joined Liverpool from Sevilla having spent the last campaign on loan at Barcelona’s B team. The 20-year-old recently made his U-21 debut for the Spanish side as well. Although often played as a winger, he is capable of slotting in behind the striker. Rodgers’ has been instilling a philosophy of good creative & technical talent, focusing on the youth. The side currently has the youngest average squad of 22, in the league.
5. Gerard Deulofeu
Age: 19 years old
Club: Everton (On Loan from Barcelona)
Nationality: Spanish
Position: Winger
Roberto Martinez seems to have pulled off an absolute master-class with this loan signing. The 19-year-old is an extremely unconventional Everton signing, but one of the most talented prospects in World football. Having attracted the attention of many potential suitors, the youngster signed a new deal with Barcelona, before agreeing a move to Everton on loan weeks later. This has Martinez’ written all over it, and we can be certain that the La Masia graduate will be given opportunities.
4. Matej Vydra
Age: 21 years old
Club: West Bromwich Albion (On Loan from Udinese)
Nationality: Czech
Position: Striker
Steve Clarke has once again shown his shrewdness in the transfer market. He utilised the service of Lukaku, on loan from Chelsea, last campaign and has pulled off an exceptional loan deal this time round with Matej Vydra from Udinese. The Czech international scored 22 league goals for Watford last season in the Championship as he nearly helped them to promotion. His efforts were rewarded with a Championship Player of the Year award; Vydra has already made his senior international debut, scoring a couple of goals as well.
3. Nathan Redmond
Age: 19 years old
Club: Norwich
Nationality: English
Position: Winger
Norwich have pulled off some fantastic deals this summer, none more so than the signing of talented prospect, Nathan Redmond. The 19-year-old was arguably England’s best performer at the summers’ U-21 European Championship, attracting the interest of many top division sides. Redmond has been prolific for Birmingham City, scoring 5 goals in his first full season in just over 20 games, following that with a regular starting berth last campaign. Chances should be aplenty, so one can expect much from the Englishman.
2. Marco van Ginkel
Age: 20 years old
Club: Chelsea
Nationality: Dutch
Position: Central Midfielder
One look at this Dutchman’s stats tells you the whole story. Still only 20, the midfielder made 107 appearances for his previous club, Vitesse. Van Ginkel has been one of the rising talents of the Eredivisie, it was only a matter of time before a top European side made their move. After impressing with the Dutch side at the U-21 Euros, it was going to be increasingly hard for Vitesse to hold onto Van Ginkel. He put out committed performances for the impressive Vitesse side last season; one can only hope he’s rewarded with regular football at Chelsea.
1. Ross Barkley
Age: 19 years old
Club: Everton
Nationality: English
Position: Central Midfielder
Everton have a good track record of developing those hard-hitting footballers. Former manager, David Moyes, provided plenty of opportunities to the younger generation. His greatest prospect though, may only shine after his departure. Ross Barkley is expected to be given a more regular spot in Everton’s side this coming campaign. After making a couple of appearances last season, and making loan moves to Sheffield Wednesday & Leeds United, it may finally be the time to see Barkley in the Premier League; and he is our Young Man to Watch for the 2013-14 Premier League season.
Special Mentions
Besides avoiding the obvious choices like Jack Wilshere, Philippe Coutinho, Matija Nastasic & Romelu Lukaku, this list had to be narrowed down to a Top 10, thus failing to include some talents that deserve a special mention.
Ravel Morrison is one young talent who could just walk into our list. But given his past, one cannot predict how regularly the West Ham man will feature in the side. Cardiff’s excellent capture, Steven Caulker, just about missed out on the list while the editors of OOTB also debated at large on the inclusion/exclusion of Fulham’s Kerim Frei. Stoke’s young keeper, Jack Butland, missed out due to the possibility of limited action while Swansea’s Ben Davies deserves a mention too. One player who still has a lot to prove, and a name to live up to, is Sunderland’s Conor Wickham. United’s two youngsters, Nick Powell & Adnan Januzaj, could feature in cup competitions and are talented individuals. Liverpool’s Jordan Ibe is another coming through; Stoke City on the other hand have to be complemented for their signing of Marc Muniesa. Spurs’ fans will be hoping Tom Carroll is given a run of games, and finally, a lot is expected of Swansea’s two Spanish captures- Jordi Amat and Alejandro Pozuelo.
Top 10 Bundesliga Talents to Watch-Out For // Mid Season Report
Top 10 La Liga Talents to Watch-Out For // Mid Season Report
Top 10 Ligue 1 Talents to Watch-out For // Mid Season Report
Top 10 Serie A Talents to Watch-Out For // Mid Season Report
Is there any other player who we should pay special attention to? Let us know by dropping a comment below. Make sure you follow us on Twitter @OOTB_football and like us on Facebook. We’re on Google+ and Tumblr as well for those interested.
