We all know for some Premier league big names like Wayne Rooney, John Terry, Theo Walcott, Steven Gerrard and many others, but all of them had to start somewhere back in their youth days. From their early age, they tasted the Premier league rush, which helped them to be where and how they are now.
The likes of Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool have all entrusted younger stars to compete for the first team in competitions including the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League.
In recent years, these teams have allowed Ryan Giggs, Cesc Fabregas and Steven Gerrard the opportunity to go on and become top talents and ambassadors for other youngsters who want to get involved in football. Here are five examples of younger players who need additional playing time if they are to make a major impact on the football world.
The importance of younger players is perhaps greater in the Premier League than any other major league in world football. On a weekly basis, England’s top clubs regularly select young talents to pit their wits against each other as they attempt to climb up the Premier League rankings.
James Wilson
The Manchester United striker has been condemned to the reserves for the most part of the season despite breaking into the first team during Louis van Gaal’s time at the club. Wilson has shown plenty of talent in his early career and has shone at both club and national level, albeit for England’s under-21 national team.
The youngster has been linked with a loan move to Celtic in January and this could be ideal, especially if he is still struggling to break back into United’s first team.
Tom Carroll
Tom Carroll has failed to break into the first team on a regular basis and, although he has made seven first team appearances this campaign, they have been limited to cameo roles in the Europa League for the most part this term.
The Tottenham midfielder is widely regarded as one of their top talents but just hasn’t managed to make the impact required to hold down a regular spot in Mauricio Pochettino’s squad. Given time, he will be an exceptional footballer but his development is only being hindered as he’s left to waste away in the reserves and on the substitute bench.
Krystian Bielik
Arsenal signed Bielik for £2.7 million in January but the youngster is yet to make a first team appearance. At 17 years old, Bielik’s greatest years are ahead of him but the Gunners would be wise to loan him elsewhere rather than allow him to remain in the reserves and youth sides.
The Polish youngster is a talented prospect, there’s no doubt about that. In eight appearances for the national under-17 side, Bielik has scored three goals from defensive midfield – an impressive achievement. He certainly looks the part and could be a future star at the heart of Arsenal’s midfield unit.
Jordan Rossiter
Rossiter has been one of the most dominant forces in Liverpool’s youth side over the past few years and earned promotion to the first team midway through last season. While the youngster has played just one game for the Reds so far, the club rate him very highly and believe that he could be their primary driving force in midfield.
Recently, the 18-year-old picked up an injury whilst on international duty and manager Jurgen Klopp was clearly angry over England’s decision to play Rossiter three times in the space of five days. While this shows confidence in his ability, it could also suggest that Liverpool planned on loaning him out in order to further assess his capabilities.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek
Perhaps the most obvious one is Ruben Loftus-Cheek. Despite Chelsea’s constant struggles at the beginning of this season, Jose Mourinho is yet to present the youngster with the opportunity to prove his worth in the first team.
Widely regarded as one of Chelsea academy’s finest prospects, Loftus-Cheek could be the breath of fresh air that is needed at Stamford Bridge. The Blues midfielder has featured five times for the first team but has shown his quality for England under-21s in the past few months. It’s only a matter of time before he’s either loaned out or is allowed the chance to showcase his talents on the big stage.