Who's the next David Beckham, Steven Gerrard or Cherno Samba?
Alex Johnson picks out a youngster from each PL club who could
break through this season...
'The new Zidane' and 19 other
great PL kids...
ARSENAL
Ryo Miyachi: The Japanese youngster joined Arsenal
coming straight from high school. A tall winger with incredible
speed (he matched Theo Walcott in a sprint test), Miyachi spent the
end of last season on loan at Feyenoord where he made 12
appearances, scored three goals, became a firm fans' favourite and
was given the nickname 'Ryodinho'.
Plays like: Thierry Henry before he became a
striker.
ASTON VILLA
Gary Gardner: Widely tipped to join the first-team squad
under Alex McLeish this season, the midfielder has had a bit of
trouble with injuries already in his short career. However, the
Villa fan (mind you, that's what his brother said) is an extremely
talented ball player who was linked with Real Madrid in the
tabloids.
Plays like: Paul Scholes - good long and
short-range passing with an eye for goal.
BLACKBURN ROVERS
Grant Hanley: A graduate of the Rovers academy, Hanley
will find himself getting a lot more game time following the
departure of fellow centre-half Phil Jones. The strong Scot has
also impressed national boss Craig Levein enough to see him hand
the 18-year-old two full international caps.
Plays like: Ryan Nelsen - a no-nonsense defender
who relishes aerial tussles more than surging runs.
BOLTON WANDERERS
Tom Eaves: The gangly striker was signed by Owen Coyle
after scoring a hat-trick against Bolton in a pre-season friendly
last summer. The former Oldham youngster reached double figures for
the reserves last season despite only playing 15 games. Eaves seems
to have all the components to make it: Height, speed and finishing
ability. It's lucky that Coyle's the Bolton boss and not Allardyce
or he'd be groomed into another Kevin Davies.
Plays like: Zlatan Ibrahimovic, a big man that is
very comfortable with a ball at his feet and can score from
range.
CHELSEA
Josh McEachran: There's been a lot of hype around the
18-year-old, most of it deserved. With the impending financial
restrictions set in place by UEFA the Academy graduate will become
a key player for The Blues in the next five years. His career has
tended to mirror that of Jack Wilshere - another young left-footed
midfielder - and I expect him to do play in a deep position just
like the Arsenal man did last season.
Plays like: Liam Brady, according to Ray Wilkins.
And who am I to disagree with 'Butch'?
EVERTON
Jose Baxter: Baxter has been the 'New Rooney' ever since
he made his debut aged 16 in 2008. This is definitely a
make-or-break season for the Bootle boy - either he establishes
himself in David Moyes' first-team plans or he's out on loan. Will
be looking to build on his few substitute appearances and his
Reserve Team Player of The Year Award.
Plays like: He reminds me of Jose Antonio
Reyes - he's quick, a good dribbler and a good finisher.
Let's just hope he doesn't also suffer from homesickness.
FULHAM
Lauri Dalla Valle: The young Finn was part of the deal
that took Paul Konchesky to Liverpool. God knows why Liverpool
allowed him to go in exchange for Mr Average. A natural goalscorer,
Dalla Valle was Liverpool's best player in the FA Youth Cup final
defeat to Arsenal two years ago. He did well in a short loan spell
at Bournemouth for the final months of last season.
Plays like: A predator in the box, he can finish
from any angle much like Ruud Van
Nistelrooy.
LIVERPOOL
Jonjo Shelvey: Completely bald already, the Attilo
Lombardo lookalike has a big future ahead of him. Going from
orchestrating Charlton's midfield while going through puberty, to
playing in 15 games in his debut season for 'The Reds', he has the
potential to be an England player before the 2014 World Cup.
However, standing in his way is Kenny Dalglish's sordid fantasy
with central midfielders following the signing of Messrs Henderson
and Adam.
Plays like: A fellow baldy, Zinedine
Zidane. Both players share a presence on the ball that
oozes confidence. This doesn't mean I think he'll be as good as
Zizou, but their characteristics are strikingly similar.
MANCHESTER CITY
Vladimir Weiss: The Slovak had an excellent loan spell at
Rangers last season, making 35 appearances and scoring five goals.
Also a regular for his country, Weiss will have a nation's hope on
his shoulders for a good ten years to come. His club game, however,
may not be as pressured. Undoubtedly a fringe player at City, he
will be lucky to make five starts in the Premier League this
season. A move away seems the only viable option if the 21-year-old
wants to taste first-team action this season.
Plays like: Ryan Giggs - a winger that likes to do
everything at 100 miles per hour.
MANCHESTER UNITED
Tom Cleverley: Spent last season on loan at Wigan - which
has given him vital Premier League experience - the midfielder has
seen what this league's all about and was a big factor in The
Latics staying up. Cleverly is an immensely talented midfielder and
he will be around for a long time. If given a chance he could fill
United's central midfield berth.
Plays like: Juan Carlos Valeron - a typical No.10
working just behind the striker.
NEWCASTLE UNITED
Kazenga LuaLua: Brother of former Toon Army favourite
Lomana, Kazenga performed excellently whilst on loan at Brighton,
scoring goals and creating a fair few for his team-mates. His
progress may have been hampered by a broken ankle he picked up in
November, but he is still an incredibly exciting talent whose name
Newcastle fans will be singing for some time to come (unless he
joins Brighton permanently).
Plays like: Ashley Young as he's got a lot of
tools in his locker; good pace, eye for goal, free-kick specialist
and two good feet.
NORWICH CITY
Tom Adeyemi: An incredibly intelligent youngster who
turned down a chance to study at Cambridge University to pursue a
career in football. Adeyemi spent last season on loan at Bradford
where he played 35 times, scoring five goals. A very athletic
player who stands at 6"1, he is very highly rated by the staff at
Norwich and could surprise a few people with Premier League
newcomers Norwich.
Plays like: Patrick Vieira - very well built but
has good technique to match his stocky frame.
QPR
Troy Hewitt: Signing a player from non-league is always a
risk, and Rangers have taken that risk in signing the 20-year-old
from Harrow Borough, where Hewitt scored 20 goals in 30 matches for
the Ryman League outfit. The move has come about due to the two
clubs' close links and a good word from QPR scouts means Hewitt's
gone straight to the Big League.
Plays like: DJ Campbell, both have dropped down
and come back from non-league football and both have similar pace,
movement and vision.
STOKE CITY
Ben Marshall: A former youth player at Manchester United
and Crewe Alexandra, Marshall arrived at Stoke in a double deal
with Matt Lund. The tall winger/striker won praise from Greg Abbott
after a successful loan spell with Carlisle. If he can recover
adequately from a very bad injury sustained in the Johnstone's
Paint Trophy, I reckon he could fit well in to Tony Pulis' style of
hoof-ball.
Plays like: Connor Wickham - a tall striker that
can also play out on the wing.
SUNDERLAND
David Meyler: If it wasn't for injuries ,Meyler's season
would surely have mirrored that of former team-mate Jordan
Henderson (some fans rate Meyler more). Instead the Irishman's gone
to America for a month of rehabilitation following a second knee
ligament injury. However, there is no doubting his talent or his
incredible commitment.
Plays like: A big, physical player with a touch of
class. A bit like Dietmar Hamman.
SWANSEA CITY
Jazz Richards: A midfielder who has represented Wales at
U-17, 19 and 21s. Jazz - real name Ashley - played a few games at
right-back during a Swans injury crisis, impressed and looks set to
challenge for that spot permanently. Made eight appearances last
season for the play-off winners.
Plays like: A pacy and energetic midfielder that
can also play in defence - the only real comparison is
Emmanuel Eboue. Obviously.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Jake Livermore: Now considered a part of 'Arry's
first-team squad plans after loan spells at Ipswich and Leeds last
season, interspersed by his league and cup debuts for Spurs against
Stoke and Arsenal respectively. A loan to another Premier League
club would do wonders for his confidence and experience.
Plays like: A strong combative midfielder in the
style of current Spurs teammate Wilson
Palacios.
WEST BROM
Luke Daniels: With Scott Carson leaving Albion for
Bursaspor, and the inconsistent Boaz Myhill being the only other
recognised first-team goalkeeper at the club, Daniels has a good
chance of making his Baggies debut this season. After loan spells
at Shrewsbury, Tranmere, Bristol Rovers and Rochdale the
22-year-old has experience of lower league football and of being a
club's No.1.
Plays like: An immense presence between the
sticks, Daniels has an air of Petr Cech with a
confidence that belies his age.
WIGAN ATHLETIC
Daniel Redmond: The technically gifted midfielder made his
first-team debut earlier this season when Latics defeated Hull City
in the FA Cup as a reward for his superb performances at reserve
team level. A real playmaker on the ball, Redmond's strength and
resilience has seen him fill in comfortably at full-back in the
past and he is currently reserve team captain.
Plays like: Stewart Downing - not the quickest
winger but has very good technique and crossing ability. Could be
Charles Insomnia's replacement.
WOLVES
Danny Batth: With elder statesman Jody Craddock hobbling
toward retirement and the general awfulness of the Wolves defence,
Mick McCarthy may be looking for a new CB for the start of the
season. He won't have to look far. Batth has enjoyed fruitful loan
spells at Sheffield Wednesday and Colchester United over the past
two seasons and will certainly be knocking at Mick's door.
Plays like: His gaffer McCarthy -
a big presence on and off the pitch who doesn't stand for any
nonsense.