The breakout season – it is when the youth team prodigy becomes a fully-fledged first team member, when a youngster announces himself as one of the club’s brightest talents and when the hopes and dreams of many young footballers are finally realised.
The 2000-01 season saw Steven Gerrard’s star begin its meteoric rise to football royalty. In the same year, John Terry cemented his first team spot, starting 23 games for Chelsea and eventually being voted as the club’s Player of the Season. The 1997-98 season saw a 22-year-old Paul Scholes move into Manchester United’s midfield, a position he would make his own for the next 15 years.
But with the old guard of Premier League football nearing or indeed realising the end of their storied careers, which players form the next generation of talented youngsters looking to make the step up to first team regulars in the coming season?
Name: Kurt Zouma
Age: 20
Position: Centre-back
Trying to break into arguably the best defensive unit in Europe is no easy task especially when you are working under the meticulous Jose Mourinho. While Kurt Zouma has not officially broken into the starting XI, evidence suggests that his time is imminent.
At 190 centimetres and 92 kilograms, Zouma possesses all of the physical traits to make him the next long-term stalwart of Chelsea’s defence. The former St. Ettiene defender made 15 appearances in the Premier League last time out, starting on seven occasions including important matches away at Stoke and at home against Manchester United in April.
With the classy albeit ageing John Terry coming to the end of an illustrious career, it is obvious that Chelsea see Zouma as an apt replacement. If either Terry or Gary Cahill’s form takes a dive, expect the Frenchmen to make the centre-back spot his own.
Oh, and just for the record, Zouma does not do friendlies.
Name: Jack Grealish
Age: 19
Position: Left-midfield
Yeah, the one with the socks down near his ankles. Jack Grealish flourished in Aston Villa’s late-season resurgence under Tim Sherwood, starting the last seven matches of the Premier League campaign.
While it is his Totti-esque socks that initially catch the eye, you will soon realise that Grealish is a tricky winger with exceptional dribbling qualities and a decent turn of pace. His best match of last season came in Aston Villa’s surprise 2-1 win over Liverpool in the FA Cup semi-final where he provided the assist for Fabian Delph’s winner. But without scoring in any of his 18 appearances last season, the Ireland U21 Player of the Year will be looking to add goals to his game this season.
While the exit of Aston Villa’s two best players in Delph and Christian Benteke may see the overall wellbeing of the club suffer, it does, in some way, pave the way for Grealish to make this season his own.
Name: Jordon Ibe
Age: 19
Position: Right-midfield
Pace, power and end product. These are the qualities that have Liverpool fans frothing over the heir to Raheem Sterling, Jordon Ibe. A year younger than his England counterpart, Ibe’s pulsating runs saw what was supposed to be a season-long loan at Derby County cut short to return to a dire Liverpool in January.
The Wycombe Wanderers junior first made the Premier League take notice after a Man of the Match performance against cross-town rivals, Everton – a pile-driving strike the highlight of his performance. Ibe now looks to make the right side of Liverpool’s attack his own.
In an interview with Jamie Redknapp in March this year, Steven Gerrard was asked what he thought of the youngster.
“If the penny drops with this kid he’s going to be special. He’s got everything, he’s got a bit of Sturridge and Sterling rolled in to one. The power and physique of Sturridge and the pace of Sterling,” the former skipper said.
Need we say more?
Name: Dele Alli
Age: 19
Position: Centre-midfield
Just two days ago it is likely you would not have heard much about Tottenham’s newest teenage superstar. But a cheeky couple of nutmegs against none other than Real Madrid have sent the internet and Tottenham fans across the world into raptures.
The emergence of Harry Kane and Ryan Mason under Mauricio Pocchetino at Spurs has set a precedent that the club will duly follow if Alli is to deliver on his promising potential. The young midfielder arrived at White Hart Lane this summer after a fee was agreed partway through the season with MK Dons.
A powerful central midfielder, Alli scored 16 goals in 44 appearances for MK Dons and has undoubted potential to walk into a Spurs midfield which has often be their achilles heel.
Name: Andreas Pereira
Age: 19
Position: Left-midfield
The final name on our five-man list goes to the Dutch-born, Brazilian ballplayer Andreas Pereira. The 19-year-old spent most of last season in the development side but after impressing at the U21 World Cup and being named as United’s Young Player of the Year, the Brazilian youth international was named in Louis van Gaal’s preseason touring squad.
Playing from the left, Pereira’s greatest strengths come from angling back infield on his, at times, magical right foot. With the harrowing memories of Paul Pogba’s free transfer to Juventus still thudding against United fans’ skulls, the good news is that Andreas Pereira has recently signed a new contract that will keep him at Old Trafford until 2018.
Pereira provides an interesting alternative to Ashley Young and will only benefit from the departure of Angel Di Maria with van Gaal seemingly insistent on playing new boy Memphis Depay through the middle corridor.
United’s reintroduction to the Champions League will only boost Pereira’s chances of game time and should he perform, this could turn out to be his breakout season.
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