Three Young Players To Look Out For This Season

It’s time for another Premier League season, and while teams are building their squads by adding players who are able to win games, the youth are forgotten. FootballFriendsOnline.com takes a look at three players who could make their mark, if their progress is not hindered by further additions to their respective teams which could throw their first-team places into jeopardy.

1. Jack Butland (Stoke):

The sale of Asmir Begovic to Chelsea and the purchase of Shay Given, who is 39, means that Stoke are looking at Jack Butland to hold down a first-team place at Stoke in the long run. Butland has grown in leaps and bounds, and came good when he was given a run in the first-team towards the end of the season, in which he kept two clean sheets and made 3.5 saves per goal conceded.

He does not have the experience, but his awareness has helped him to react and pull off saves to keep his team in games, such as those against Burnley and Tottenham. He is a rising star and has been taken note of at the national level, and consistent performances could open up a slot for him in the England squad for Euro 2016.

2. Kurt Zouma (Chelsea):

Kurt Zouma moved to Chelsea from St. Etienne as a talented young defender with the right attributes – power, strength, bone-crunching tackling ability – but needed time and space to develop into the finished product. Glimpses of his talent and his mental strength were seen last season, when Jose Mourinho offered him a chance to play ahead of Gary Cahill, when Cahill was out of form, in games against their major rivals. After that, he was moved into defensive midfield, when Chelsea needed to shut games out.

With the possible arrival of John Stones, he might be shifted into defensive midfield as cover for Nemanja Matic, and will play a role at the back if required, as Chelsea need to build their squad depth defensively.

3. Memphis Depay (Manchester United):

Depay has been brought into the United fold in another big-spending transfer window, and he has been touted for big achievements at United. Louis van Gaal has looked to use Depay on the wing or as a support striker, and his flamboyant runs have propelled him into the spotlight. He has dazzled during the beginning of United’s pre-season, as he has looked to hit the ground running, leading the line, scoring a goal and establishing a rapport with Wayne Rooney.

If he can continue in a consistent fashion, he can be “one of the best players in the world”. If he can win games for the Red Devils, he could achieve star status at Old Trafford, whose fans demand nothing but victory.

There are other players – Jordon Ibe, Libor Kozak, Tyrone Mings, Jamaal Laschelles – who could create opportunities for themselves if they pursue their chances, by training hard and seizing their chances.