Fictional wonderkids or the real deal – midfielders
Yesterday’s look at the Football Manager wonderkids proved that many of the defenders were still trying to find their place, being pushed from pillar to post on loan to the lower leagues. Will the midfielders find their Premier League prospects much better?
Oriol Romeu – 21 (Chelsea)
The Spaniard scored his first goal for Chelsea this season, but quickly became sidelined with a knee injury in December. He is yet to recover, but will be hoping to break into the Stamford Bridge first team, whoever his new manager happens to be!
Mats Daehli – 18 (Man United)
Daehli’s is a story that is still at the very beginning. Yet to make an appearance for the first team, but already a fixture in the reserves, and a recipient of United’s ‘Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year award’.
Nick Powell – 19 (Man United)
The potential of the England youngster has led some to pinpoint him as the fulcrum of future United sides. Powell has only two league appearances under his belt, but scored on his debut in a 4-0 win over Wigan. The 2013/14 should be the year where he gets even more game time, as the surrounding midfield ages even further.
Aaron Ramsey – 22 (Arsenal)
At his age, Ramsey barely qualifies as a ‘wonderkid’ but his form has been good enough to see him awarded a new long-term contract in December. His international form has taken a step backward with Swansea’s Ashley Williams replacing him as captain – Ramsey was previously Wales’ youngest ever captain – but that day will surely come again.
Jack Wilshere – 21 (Arsenal)
Wilshere is a player trusted to fill the vacant number 10 shirt left by Robin van Persie, and rightly so. Having missed the entire previous season through injury, he has roared back with a vengeance this time around, warranting a new contract along with Ramsey and other first-team members. He has also been nominated for the PFA Young Player of the Year award.
Ross Barkley – 19 (Everton)
Sadly for Barkley, his development has been confined to the Championship, with spells on loan at both Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds. David Moyes has not forgotten about the youngster however, and has been quoted as saying he is simply trying to be careful with the player’s development. Considering Moyes was instrumental in Wayne Rooney’s rise, I think we can trust his judgement.
Next time I will take a look at the more attacking midfielders, the one’s in the hole, so to speak, before finishing off as anything in football always does, in the penalty box with the strikers.
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