Hundreds of
millions are once again being spent in the transfer market this summer,
but there is still no greater feeling of satisfaction for a club than
to bring through a youngster and see them flourish in the first team.
It
is a huge challenge for young stars with bags of potential to earn the
chance to make the step up and go on to become a regular in the senior
side.
Here, Sportsmail takes a look at the best young players in the country to watch out for who could be set to make that breakthrough this season.
Lewis Baker
Club: Chelsea Age: 19 Position: Central Midfielder
John
Terry was raving about Baker after he set up all three goals in their
3-2 pre-season friendly win against Wycombe. The 19-year-old scored 17
goals for the Under 21 side last season. He is known for his deadly set
piece delivery and can produce moments of magic from nowhere.
Moments of magic: Lewis Baker celebrates scoring for Chelsea in the Under 21 final at Manchester United
Devante Cole
Club: Manchester City Age: 19 Position: Striker/Winger
The
City forward has dad Andy to call on if he ever needs tips on scoring
goals. Cole has worked his way through City's academy and Manuel
Pellegrini called him up to the squad for their pre-season tour of South
Africa last summer. The Chilean is known to be a fan.
Family affair: Devante Cole, son of Manchester United legend Andy, will hope to emulate his father's success
Jason Denayer
Club: Manchester City Age: 19 Position: Centre back
His
ability on the ball and reading of the game have drawn comparison to
Vincent Kompany – and surely also the fact he is a Belgian centre half.
Recently called up to the Belgian under 21 side.
Captain material? Jason Denayer has been compared to City first-team skipper Vincent Kompany
Thomas Eisfeld
Club: Arsenal Age: 21 Position: Attacking Midfielder
It
will be tough for the German to break through with the wealth of
players in a similar position available to Arsene Wenger, but he is
highly rated by the club. Eisfeld has played for the first team in the
League Cup already.
In action: Thomas Eisfeld has already tasted life in Arsenal's first-team having played in the League Cup
Brendan Galloway
Club: MK Dons Age: 18 Position: Defender/Midfielder
He
is on the verge of a move to Everton after handing in a transfer
request at MK Dons. The Zimbabwe-born player has been capped by England
up to Under 19 level. Those who have watched him play regularly say he
is in the mould of Rio Ferdinand. Was the youngest player ever to take
to the field for MK Dons, aged just 15, when he came on as a substitute
in 2011.
High praise: Brendan Galloway (right) has been compared to former England defender Rio Ferdinand
Jack Grealish
Club: Aston Villa Age: 18 Position: Winger/Attacking midfielder
The
Republic of Ireland Under 21 midfielder has spent time on loan at Notts
County and played a part in the Villa side who won the Next Gen Series
last season. He made the bench of the senior Villa team aged just 16.
Winning feeling: Jack Grealish played a part in the Aston Villa side that won the Next Gen Series last season
Jordon Ibe
Club: Liverpool Age: 18 Position: Winger
Ibe
has played a couple of first team games for Liverpool already but this
looks like his season to really break through. The 5ft 7in flyer has
looked the part in pre-season so far, setting up both goals in their 2-1
win against Preston. He's a fast, direct winger and it is understood
Brendan Rodgers is a huge admirer.
Star in the making: Winger Jordon Ibe (right) has impressed in Liverpool's two pre-season friendlies to date
Ryan Ledson
Club: Everton Age: 16 Position: Central midfielder
He
was captain of the England Under 17 team who won the European
Championship in May and even scored a penalty in the decisive final
shootout against Holland. Considers himself to be similar to Frank
Lampard in his playing style. Still very young, but that didn't stop
Wayne Rooney or Ross Barkley getting a chance at Goodison Park.
Box-to-box starlet: Ryan Ledson captained England Under 17s to European Championship glory in May
Sam McQueen
Club: Southampton Age: 19 Position: Winger
Joined
Southampton's famed academy aged eight and has been with the club
since. The predominantly left-sided player has featured once for the
first team, in the FA Cup. Recently signed a new four-year deal.
Tied down: Sam McQueen (right) has recently penned a new four-year deal at Southampton
Josh Onomah
Club: Tottenham Age: 17 Position: Attacking midfielder
Another
who was part of the England Under 17 side to lift the European
Championship trophy. New Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino is known for
bringing youth players into the first team, increasing his chances this
season. Some at the club believe this could be his year.
Opportune moment: Josh Onomah will be hoping new Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino gives youth a chance
Kristoffer Peterson
Club: Liverpool Age: 19 Position: Winger/Striker
The
Sweden under 21 star has scored in each of Liverpool's opening
friendlies against Brondby and Preston. Those goals earned him a place
in the squad for their pre-season tour of America, having previously not
made the cut.
Things are looking up: Kristoffer Peterson has scored in both of Liverpool's pre-season fixtures so far
Harrison Reed
Club: Southampton Age: 19 Position: Midfielder
Reed
has already been around Southampton's first team, making seven
appearances for the seniors. With the departures of key players this
summer he could become a more regular figure in the side this campaign.
Chance: Harrison Reed (left) could feature often for Southampton next season following the sale of key players
Karim Rekik
Club: Manchester City Age: 19 Position: Centre-back
Rekik,
born in Holland but of Tunisian descent, has already been capped by the
senior Dutchteam. He has only made one brief appearance for City's
first team but his loan spell at PSV Eindhoven last season, where he
made 25 league appearances, earned him a place in Louis van Gaal's
provisional squad for the World Cup. He did not make the final cut.
International pedigree: Karim Rekik (right) was included in Holland's provisional World Cup squad
Patrick Roberts
Club: Fulham Age: 17 Position: Second Striker/Winger
Roberts
can play on the right wing, but he is devastating through the middle.
At 5ft 5in he is smaller than most of his peers but his low centre of
gravity has seen him compared to Lionel Messi. Scored twice on the way
to winning the Euros with the England Under 17s and has netted seven
goals in 14 internationals for them. After Fulham's relegation it is
expected he will get plenty more playing time for their senior team next
season.
Little gem: At 5ft 5in Patrick Roberts (right) has been compared to Lionel Messi due to his low centre of gravity
Jordan Rossiter
Club: Liverpool Age: 17 Position: Midfielder
Robbie
Fowler has likened him to Steven Gerrard already, even though he is
just 17. Rossiter has got a bit of filling out to do but passes the ball
well and is fearless. Yet to play for Liverpool in a competitive
fixture but this could be his season.
Eyes on the prize: Jordan Rossiter has been compared to Liverpool hero Steven Gerrard by Robbie Fowler
Matt Targett
Club: Southampton Age: 18 Position: Left-back
Targett
is being lined up as the long-term replacement for Luke Shaw following
his move to Manchester United. Another who has been at Southampton's
academy since he was eight. Some expect him to follow in the footsteps
of the two most famous left-sided players to come through at the south
coast club.
Bright future: Promising full-back Matt Targett (left) will hope to emulate Luke Shaw's rise at Southampton
Jon Toral
Club: Arsenal Age: 19 Position: Central Midfielder/Attacking Midfield
The
Spaniard joined Arsenal from Barcelona in 2011 and quickly caught the
eye by scoring five times in seven appearances for their Under 18 side.
He was included in training with the senior squad last season.
Silky Spaniard: Playmaker Jon Toral (left) scored five times in seven appearances for Arsenal's under 18s
James Wilson
Club: Manchester United Age: 18 Position: Striker
Announced
himself on the scene with two goals in his first start for United in a
3-1 win against Hull, but that is his only appearance for the senior
side. It was a surprise call-up by Ryan Giggs while he was in charge at
the club – and he predicted Wilson would go on to become a new Old
Trafford star.
Dream start: James Wilson (left) scored twice in his Manchester United debut against Hull last season
Harry Winks
Club: Tottenham Age: 18 Position: Central midfielder
Made
the bench for Tottenham's Europa League quarter-final against Benfica
last season, so has had a taste of first-team action. Again, with
Pochettino at the helm, expect more Spurs youngsters to be popping up in
the senior squad.
In pursuit: Tottenham's Harry Winks (left) got a taste of first-team action last year on the bench against Benfica
Gedion Zelalem
Club: Arsenal Age: 17 Position: Central Midfield
A
former coach said that 'he dribbles like Iniesta and he passes like
Xavi.' Jack Wilshere has also hailed the player's ability. Zelalem made
his first-team debut in the FA Cup as a 16-year-old, making him the
first player born after Arsene Wenger joined Arsenal to play for the
first-team.
History: Gedion Zelalem (right) is the first player born after Arsene Wenger joined Arsenal to play for them
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