With the new Premier League season only a few days away, a clean slate is presented to all involved at a chance to write new history.
Expectations have been clamped on big and prominent players in the league to be of great help to their respective club sides.
But as usual, little or no expectations have been placed on young players whose legs, body, and mind are screaming for every chance they can have to feature for their clubs.
As a result of the aforementioned, FootballCastle has compiled a list of youngsters with boundless potential to watch out for in the upcoming 2021/22 Premier League season.
Jacob Ramsey – Aston Villa
Ramsey was an integral part of Aston Villa’s story last term as he made twenty-two league appearances for Dean Smith’s side and started just six.
In his own little contribution to Villa’s best Premier League last season in a long time, Ramsey averaged 11 passes per match with a pass completion rate of 86%, a feat that’s massive for a young attacking midfielder.
And while he may have had a total playing time of just 614 minutes last term, there were glimpses of greatness shown by the 20-year-old who is obviously favoured by his manager having got ahead of Ross Barkley in the pecking order in the second half of the season.
Ramsey impressed each time he graced the pitch and should be closely monitored when the season starts as he could be the next breakout star amidst the slew of talented new signings at Villa Park.
Curtis Jones – Liverpool
When injury rocked the Liverpool squad last season, Jones stepped into midfield when Fabinho and Jordan Henderson plugged gaps in the defence, and by and large, he stuck to his job.
His role in the team was a difficult one, yet Jones used his exceptional skills, maturity, superb reading of the game, and tactical acumen to deliver handsomely for the Kop and was consistent at it.
Now that one of Liverpool’s key midfielders in Gini Wijnaldum has joined PSG, the 20-year-old will hope to be more prominent and continue his development from homegrown lad to cult hero.
Billy Gilmour – Norwich
After making eleven appearances for fourth-placed Chelsea last season, Gilmour was part of the squad that won their second Champions League title to end a memorable club campaign. The highly-rated youngster went on to have a scintillating outing at Euro 2020 but had his tournament ended by quarantine.
Meanwhile, the 20-year-old has been touted to have an impressive loan spell at newly-promoted Norwich having signed a season-long loan deal with the Canaries last month. He has duly been inspired in his pre-season runouts.
The Scotland international is undoubtedly one of the best young players in the Premier League with exquisite ball control, visionary passing, a staggering physicality, and maturity beyond his years.
With much more playing time this season, Gilmour is expected to light up the league. The whole world is watching.
Michael Olise – Crystal Palace
Michael Olise is a highly-rated youngster whose remarkable inventiveness saw him scooped from the second tier ahead of the new season.
The 19-year-old, who can play in midfield or on the flanks, was involved in nineteen goals for Reading last season – scoring seven and setting up 12 in forty-six outings – as he lit up the Championship with Reading.
His outstanding performances last season for The Royals saw him crowned the EFL Young Player of the season before he moved up to the Premier League as Patrick Vieira’s first signing as Crystal Palace boss.
Olise is expected to make a mark for Crystal Palace especially in the long absence of Ebere Eze. He is also set to spark a war for his international future between England, Nigeria, France, and Algeria.
A true talent
Emile Smith Rowe – Arsenal
Actually, Arsenal’s new number 10 is probably the one with the most expectations on this list considering his rapid growth and maturity to a modern-day playmaker.
After breaking out from Arsenal’s youth academy, Rowe was sent on loan to Huddersfield and RB Leipzig, and on his return to the Emirates, he became a major part of Mikel Arteta’s setup; so much so that he signed a new five year deal with the club.
Without a doubt, Arsenal fans will be looking forward to seeing one of their own replicate Mesut Ozil’s magical influence in the midfield. The 21-year-old has big shoes to fill, but he has shown enough to be a special talent.
Now the Premier League wants to see more, could he be a Young Player of the Season candidate? Every single player on this list will have something to say about that nine months from now.
