As the new Premier League season draws ever closer, all eyes are on which players are going to catch the eye. The usual suspects will be well known to most, Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo, Didier Drogba and Cesc Fabregas; but what about the players yet to establish themselves at their clubs?
Last season a host of youngsters made their claims for regular first team action, including the likes of Ashley Young, Gabriel Agbonlahor and Denilson, but the new season brings with it a new crop of talented individuals keen to impress on the world stage.
Empics
The young striker has been tipped to fill the boots of Alan Shearer at Newcastle.
Here's a pick (in no particular order) of some of the faces to watch out for durign the 2007/08 campaign.
Giles Barnes - Derby County
Having attracted the attention of Liverpool and West Ham in the close season, Barnes is a tall midfielder with a good turn of pace and some excellent dribbling skills. Establishing himself in the Derby side last year, he has played nearly 50 times for the club and scored nine goals. As a young English player, his price will only go up and with some good performances in this year's Premier League, Barnes has the potential to play for one of the bigger clubs in the future.
Andrew Carroll - Newcastle United
Tall and powerful, the 18-year-old striker has drawn obvious comparisons with Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer. Given his first-team debut in a UEFA Cup tie against Palermo in November, Carroll will surely blossom under new manager Sam Allardyce and has already been challenged to fight the likes of Shola Ameobi and Mark Viduka for a first-team place. Showing a great deal of potential in his few chances for the Magpies, the striker has all the attributes to succeed in the Premier League, although may choose to go on loan if he does not make the breakthrough this season.
Mark Noble - West Ham United
After breaking into the Hammers' first-team in the 2004/05 season, it was not until last term that Noble showed everyone he has what it takes to play in the Premier League. A rare bright spark in an otherwise disappointing season, Noble was a key component in West Ham's relegation survival in 2006/07 and will look to use his strength and range of passing to help the club again this season. Impressing in England's U21 setup, he has risen through the national side since he was 15 and has been tipped to make the break into the full side at some point in his career.
David Wheater - Middlesbrough
A strong and imposing central defender, Wheater is another product of the impressive Middlesbrough academy system. He starred in Boro's FA Youth Cup winning side and has played for England up to U19 level. Commanding in the air and a threat at set-pieces, the 6' 5'' Wheater has been tipped for big things at the club by former manager Steve McClaren. He will battle Jonathan Woodgate, Robert Huth and Emmanuel Pogatetz for a first-team berth, but it won't be long before the youngster gets his chance to impress.
Theo Walcott - Arsenal
While Walcott may fall into the bracket of 'well-known' players, due mainly to his shock inclusion in England's World Cup squad last summer, he has not done enough to establish himself at his club and will be keen to use this season to showcase his talents. With the departure of role-model Thierry Henry, Walcott will surely bear the burden of replacing the Frenchman, using his electric pace and excellent finishing ability to good effect. At times looking out of his depth last season, Walcott show glimpses of brilliance and having missed out on the U21 Championships to cure a niggling shoulder complaint, he will be fully fit and raring to go for the start of the 2007/08 season.
Anthony Stokes - Sunderland
Having joined Arsenal from Irish club Shelbourne, Stokes showed what he was capable of by breaking into the reserve side aged only 15. A deadly finisher, Stokes impressed before being loaned out to Falkirk in 2006, where he really made his name. Scoring 14 goals in 16 appearances, he attracted a great deal of attention and Arsenal decided to cash in, getting £2million from Sunderland for a player who had only made one first-team appearance. As Roy Keane looks to keep the Black Cats in the Premier League, Stokes' goals may prove to be the difference at the end of the season.
Empics
With the departure of Joey Barton, Johnson may get a chance to shine at Eastlands.
The Moroccan born French midfielder turned down a host of top clubs to join Tottenham on loan last season. Making the move permanent in June 2007, the youngster has been likened to Zinedine Zidane and tipped as one of the most promising talents in France. The 18-year-old showed enough in his two games last season to persuade Martin Jol to sign him; he can play on the wing, or behind the strikers. Coming off the bench to make a significant impact, Taarabt will hope to follow a similar path this season, although he will be pushing for regular first-team action.
Michael Johnson - Manchester City
Following the departure of Joey Barton to Newcastle, another combative midfielder is ready to step into his shoes. On the books of Everton until signing for City aged 16, Johnson impressed in the FA Youth Cup and has continued to show why he is considered one of the best prospects at the club. Alongside Ishmael Millar and Daniel Sturridge, City boast a few names who have a bright future in the game; but Johnson, with his voracious tackling and creative passing abilities is one of the best.
Matt Derbyshire - Blackburn Rovers
With an unerring eye for goal, Derbyshire proved himself to be a potent finisher scoring nine times in the 2006/07 season. With a good turn of pace and an excellent sense of positioning, he was called up to the England U21 squad by Stuart Pearce and has scored twice in two starts for his country. Learning from Bennie McCarthy, Derbyshire will perform an important role for his club at the tender age of 21 and will be keen to continue his form from last season.
Any comments? Email Jon Carter
