With the latest edition of England’s footballing extravaganza upon us, the beautiful game’s worldwide fan base is abuzz with talks of this season’s potential.
In a bid to strengthen their squads for the upcoming campaign many managers have splurged on new international and homegrown talents that they hope will bring fruitful results to their club’s Premier League season. Not a lot is known about some of these young players, while the rise to prominence of others has been more than well documented before they have even turned 25.
Many of the footballers snapped up this preseason did not go for bargain prices by any means, and have already established themselves as top tier performers, showing that they are deserving of their current fame status.
There are, however, many wide eyed youthful keepers, defenders, midfielders and strikers who have been brought from all across England and Europe to the big leagues, with a minimal spotlight upon them.
Within this small number, there are some fledgling players that could set the Premier League ablaze. At the end of the day though, there could only be five in focus, five who are far from peaking and have a long way to go in their careers.
These footballers could be fifty million pound men in the years to come, making them well worth watching this season.
Jordan Ayew – Aston Villa
The younger brother of new Swansea City signing Andre Ayew, Jordan has shown great attacking prowess with his Ligue 1 side Lorient. Notching 13 goals in just 29 appearances, Ayew was able to leave defenders two footed as he slipped through the smallest crevices to work his way into scoring positions.
With the inherent ability to out pace centre backs and create space when it was in short supply, Ayew will be a potent threat that should be expected to lead Villa’s seemingly lackluster attacking lineup on the opening day.
Having said that, his stellar performances in France will have to be ramped up as the English Premier League brings in a whole new level of intensity for any player.
Having debuted against Bournemouth yesterday, Villains boss Tim Sherwood will hope that the Ghanaian striker can channel that intensity and keep it going for the rest of the year. Tyrone Mings – Bournemouth
Bournemouth were one of the last teams people would have associated with the word promotion in early August 2014.
Yet, here they are ready to take on the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal after automatically climbing up off the back of brilliant performances from their well-oiled Eddie Howe machine.
This doesn’t mean Howe has displayed any inclination to rest on his laurels. Snapping up Joshua King on a free transfer and Christian Atsu on loan, while he forked up eight million on former Leeds United defender Tyrone Mings.
A youngster who comes with a reputation as big as his price tag; the left back from Bath proves to be a thrilling prospect for this Premier League campaign.
One of the most versatile defenders of the previous season, Mings when deployed on the wings has the ability to wreak havoc with opposing defences clinching four assists last season.
With the added bonus of being able to provide cover in the centre back position, Mings is a must watch, not just for day one but also for the entire season. Patrick Bamford – Crystal Palace
A name that gets thrown around more and more often as the years go by, the Championship’s player of the season for the 2014/15 season might finally have caught his break with the loan to Crystal Palace.
Proving to be an absolute goal machine last year with Middlesborough, he displayed the hard as nails work ethic that we saw in those great English strikers of yore, while combining it with his own twenty first century flair.
If Bamford can deliver once again for Palace this season, in a team suited just for his style of play, it’s not a matter of if for the future England and Chelsea star, but when.
Patrick Roberts – Manchester City
Another acquisition made by City in order to enhance their faltering image of a team from Great Britain, Patrick Roberts could well be on the road to being England’s next right winger.
At this point he definitely has the potential for it. With the agility and pace of a young English Lionel Messi, paired with the ability to drift inward and play as a second striker; Roberts could cause a threat to any Premier League defence.
However, how far the 18-year-old goes depends almost exclusively the Citizens employ him for the next one year. He could be left warming the bench, sending him straight down into the wormhole of the British talents City has left behind.
On the other hand, should he be given game time, the youngster could flourish under the wing of the club’s international superstars.
Jordy Clasie – Southampton
Already an established player with the Dutch national side, Jordy Clasie will now look to make a mark on the domestic front, donning the shirt of rising stars Southampton.
What makes Clasie’s arrival especially enticing is the partnership that has already been established between him and Ronald Koeman, who brought him into the first team side during their stint with Feyernoord.
Furthermore, Clasie slots in perfectly with Koeman’s current Southampton team; a more attack-minded alternative to the now departed Morgan Schneiderlin. He is the one player in the current Southampton midfield that can fill the Frenchman’s shoes, and do a good job of it.
So there you have it, five youngsters to watch out for this Premier League season, and all could very easily go on to bigger and better things in the very near future.
Credit: Back Page Football