Isnin, 15 Ogos 2011

20 youngsters to shine this season

Arsenal - Ryo Miyaichi
A former high school footballer in Japan, Miyaichi signed for Arsenal last January, but completed the season on loan with Dutch outfit Feyenoord. A skillful wideman with sprint times that rival Theo Walcott, Ryo was added to the first-team this summer after receiving a work permit.

Aston Villa - Barry Bannan
Scotland international Bannan has enjoyed loan spells with Derby County, Blackpool and Leeds United in between mixed stints in the Villa first-team. A diminutive but stylish midfielder, there has never been a better time for the former Celtic youngster to break through, following several departures from the Villa midfield this summer.

Blackburn Rovers - Jason Lowe
Lowe is a product of the Blackburn Academy, and returns to Ewood Park after captaining England to the last 16 of the Under-20 World Cup. The hard working box-to-box midfielder scored two goals in seven games at Oldham last term, and impressed enough to convince many he'll add to his solitary Premier League appearance.

Bolton Wanderers - Marcos Alonso
A graduate of the Real Madrid system, big things were expected of Alonso when he arrived in England last summer. The tall and energetic left sided prospect struggled for form and fitness during his debut campaign, but Owen Coyle has kept the faith, and looks set to deploy the Spanish youngster in a midfield berth this term.

Chelsea - Oriol Romeu
Romeu arrives in London after failing to break through the layers of talent at Barcelona, but he'll need little adaptation to life in England. A powerful, no nonsense defensive midfielder, Oriol has been described as 'a tank' by coaches at his former club. Just the type of reinforcement Chelsea need after losing Michael Essien to injury.

Everton - Ross Barkley
The latest talent off Everton's Finch Farm production line, Barkley looked destined for stardom last year, but broke his leg playing for England's Under-19's, despite being just 16 at the time. A clever central midfielder with good distribution, Barkley has shown some good stuff on the come back trial, and is likely to feature more and more this season.

Fulham - Pajtim Kasami
Swiss Under-21 play maker Kasami is a summer acquisition from Palermo, arriving very much under the radar. Yet Martin Jol has handed him the number 10 shirt, and with it, a responsibility to show more than he did during a journeyman youth career at Bellinzona, Winterthur, Grasshoppers, Lazio and Liverpool.

Liverpool - Conor Coady
St Helens-born Coady has been compared to Steve Gerrard for most of his young career, and it's easy to see why. He boasts an brilliant range of passing, shooting and tackling, and has showed natural leadership, captaining England's Under-17's to European Championship glory last summer. Conor has since shone during pre-season with the Liverpool first-team.

Manchester City - Stefan Savic
A former trialist with Arsenal, Montenegro defender Savic signed from Partizan this summer with a hefty £6 million price tag. At home in the centre of defence or at right back, Stefan has good composure on the ball and is technically very good. However, his robust nature means he'll need little adjustment to the English game.


Manchester United - Tom Cleverley
Cleverley has finally earned a proper promotion to the United first-team after loans at Leicester, Watford and, more recently, Wigan. His education in life at the sharper end of the game will stand him in good stead, as Sir Alex looks set for another trophy assault. Cleverley has already shown he has what it takes, proving influential as a substitute in the Community Shield victory over Manchester City.

Newcastle United - Haris Vukic
Slovenian attacker Vukic has taken his time to settle to life in the North East, but has caught the eye during pre-season, and looks set to earn a run out in Alan Pardew's reshuffled midfield. The 18-year-old is already well over the six foot mark, and can add a dominant physical presence as well as a long range goal threat.

Norwich City - Korey Smith
Versatile Korey Smith is a product of the Norwich Academy, and has proved to be a useful asset during the Canaries' rise through the divisions. At home at full back or in midfield, Smith may only be 20, but boasts good leadership qualities, something he honed while captain of City's Under-18's.

Queens Park Rangers - Antonio German
German is back in West London this summer after two experience building loan spells away from the club. The bulky front man can be a real handful off the bench, where his power and quality in the air come into play. In a season that's very much about survival, the 19-year-old might see little action, but can be an asset if used effectively.

Stoke City - Ryan Shotton
Despite a number of quality defensive options at Stoke, Shotton looks set to make this season his break through campaign. Like so many youngsters, he's had to get a foot hold in the game on loan, but the promising centre back is very much in Tony Pulis' plans. His patience was marked with an appearance in the Europa League against Hajduk Split last month, where he scored to help secure qualification.

Sunderland - Jack Colback
Colback has been with Sunderland since the age of 11, and as he marks ten years since first joining the Black Cats, he's as close as ever to making the grade. Steve Bruce's overhaul of the midfield has worked in Jack's favour, and although lacking a physical presence, his intelligence on the ball and versatility will be useful as he begins the season in the first-team.

Swansea - Steven Caulker
Experience is a key quality for newly promoted sides, but the exciting talent that is Steven Caulker was one of Brendan Rodgers' top targets after leading the Swans into the Premier League. Tall, strong, aggressive yet quick over the ground, Caulker has arrived on a season-long loan from Tottenham, and will hope to be a potential star in what promises to be a difficult season for the Welsh side.

Tottenham - Kyle Walker
Walker emerged as one of the finest defensive prospects in the country last season, during loan spells with QPR and Aston Villa. The latter helped cement the pacy and strong full back into Stuart Pearce's Under-21 plans, while a senior England debut also followed. Now back at Spurs, the 21-year-old needs to prove last season was no fluke.

West Brom - James Hurst
The Baggies beat off interest from a number of top Premier League outfits to re-sign Hurst following a stint at Portsmouth. An England Under-20 international, James can play in either full back position or in midfield, and should build on his handful of first-team appearances as Roy Hodgson focuses on some of the club's young talent.

Wigan - Callum McManaman
Last season looked like being the one where McManaman finally broke through at Wigan, but despite banging in the goals for the Reserves and some solid form in the Cup competitions, he didn't quite make it. Callum is expected to feature more heavily this season, where he can provide a threat cutting in and shooting from either flank.

Wolves - Sam Vokes
Wolves edged out a number of bigger clubs to sign striker Vokes from Bournemouth in 2008, but the 21-year-old is yet to nail down a starting spot. A Welsh international, he has shown flashes of ability during a number of loan moves, including one last season at Norwich. This term looks set to be key in his development, and hopes of finally making the grade in the Midlands.

 

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