Premier League
Flickr photo by Ade Oshineye shared under a Creative Commons (BY-NC-ND 2.0) license.

Premier League: Five young players to look out for

Muhammad Osama·
Premier League
·1 Comment·

The first month in the Premier League has brought us enthralling football, a few surprises and host of new young players to look out for…

A new Premier League season has kicked off, carrying a lot of sub-plots within itself – and the growth of a new breed of players is one aspect most fans are excited about. With many young players keen to make their mark this season, let’s take a look at five prospects fans should keep an eye out for.

5. Aaron Wan-Bissaka

Having made his debut last season, Wan-Bissaka has continued on his merry way this season. He showed glimpses of his talent last season – and despite picking up a red card against Liverpool, he has made a very good start this season. Having initially started as a forward, he later converted to a defender, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka is everything that you would want in a modern full-back. The Englishman is very good going forward and an able defender when it comes to one-on-one situations. Big things are expected of the Crystal Palace full-back this season and a possible England call-up may be on the cards in the near future.

4. Ryan Sessegnon

Ryan Sessegnon made waves in the Championship last season as Fulham earned promotion to the Premier League. While playing as a left-back, he contributed to 24 goals last season, and was even briefly being considered for the England World Cup squad by Gareth Southgate. Many pundits have predicted his conversion to a left-winger in the future, similar to the transition made by the likes of Gareth Bale. He has started this season in the Premier League rather slowly – but given the talent he possesses, he can kick-on anytime.

3. Andreas Pereira

Another player expected to make his mark on this Premier League season is Manchester United’s Andreas Pereira. Having spent the last two seasons on loan in Spain, Pereira is very highly-rated among fans and pundits. Despite playing as a winger for most of his career, he adjusted quite well to playing in a deeper position during his first start for Manchester United in the Premier League. Even though he has played a lot of football, Pereira is still young and his talent is very raw. He is greatly admired by Jose Mourinho, and will look to cement his place in the United line-up with his performances. A positive start to the season has also been rewarded with his first ever call-up for Brazil.

2. James Maddison

Leicester City’s James Maddison has started this season as he ended the last with Norwich, during which he was scouted by pretty much every Premier League club. A creative midfielder who generally plays as a number 10, Maddison is highly rated among football fans. He has already shown some glimpses of his ability in the first month of the season. Even at such a young age, Maddison has everything – good feet, immaculate close-control, and a very powerful shot. If he continues on this path, it’s hard to see him sticking around at Leicester for very long.

1. Adama Traore

The La Masia product has been one of the most sought after players in the world in recent seasons, with his name mentioned a lot throughout his academy days. Built like a tank, with fearsome dribbling and pace to match anybody in the world, Adama Traore has all the tools to be one of the very best. However, like all young players, Traore still has much to learn. A lot of work must be done on his end product for him to be considered the finished article. Even though he has played in the Premier League before, this season looks like to be the one when he finally makes his mark. Under the stewardship of Nuno Espírito, Adama Traore is part of a team that tends to play on the counter, which should suit someone with his skill-set. If he fulfils the early promise, Premier League defenders are in for a torrid time this season.