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Normal proceedings have begun to resume, as fans are back in the stadiums at full strength in most of the top European leagues. The 2021-22 season is off to a flying start, as most teams have taken to the field full of energy and the backing of their loud and roaring home crowds.
That was most apparent in the Premier League’s opening weekend, as none of the matches ended in draws, with seven of the ten home teams emerging triumphant. Fans will also have some new faces and talents to watch out for this season, ones who could potentially play a key role in their club’s endeavours.
The demands of the modern game have become such that top teams need to have large squads to be competitive in multiple tournaments. That means several youngsters could get opportunities to make their mark in this ongoing season.
On that note, here's a look at the five young players who could enjoy breakthrough campaigns in 2021-22.
#5 Gregor Kobel
Gregor Kobel is one of Borussia Dortmund’s latest signings heading into the new season. He happens to be one of the finest young goalkeepers in the game at the moment.
The Swiss shot-stopper was signed from Stuttgart on a €15 million deal in the ongoing summer transfer window. Kobel featured in Dortmund’s season-opener against Wehen Wiesbaden in the DFB Pokal, registering a clean sheet on his debut for the club.
He also notched up a clean sheet on his first-team debut in the 2017-18 DFB Cup for Hoffenheim.
The 23-year-old was hugely impressive in Stuttgart, helping the club earn promotion to the Bundesliga. Kobel recorded ten shut-outs (11 clean sheets, including one in a 22-minute appearance) in 31 league appearances last season.
Kobel featured in all but one of Stuttgart’s 2020-21 Bundesliga games, keeping five clean sheets. After a string of consistent performances over the past few years, Kobel could enjoy a breakthrough season at Signal Iduna Park and establish himself as one of the best in the continent.
#4 Trevor Chalobah
Chelsea academy product Trevor Chalobah is already off to a flying start in the 2021-22 season.
The 22-year-old found the back of the net in the Blues’ opening day Premier League game against Crystal Palace. It was all the more impressive, as he plies his trade in the opposite half of the pitch at centre-back, where he put up a solid performance in Chelsea’s well-drilled backline.
After a host of stellar performances on loan with Ligue 1 club Lorient, Chalobah made his full debut for the Blues in their 2021-22 season opener. The former England U21 impressed in his maiden appearance against Villarreal in the UEFA SuperCup, and made his league debut a few days later at Stamford Bridge.
Chalobah has earned high praise from Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel, so he can be expected to feature a lot in the 2021-22 season.
#3 Oliver Skipp
Oliver Skipp was one of the star players in Norwich City’s road back to the English top flight.
The England U21 international was sent out on loan by Tottenham Hotspur ahead of the 2020-21 season, and he hit the ground running at Carrow Road. Skipp registered 45 appearances in the Championship, playing a key role for the league-toppers.
Skipp had previously made his debut for Spurs in the 2018-19 season, but never enjoyed a sustained run in the senior squad. That might soon change after an impressive showing against Manchester City in Tottenham’s 1-0 win in their season opener.
The Englishman formed a solid partnership with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg in the middle of the park, and helped shield the Spurs' defence against a barrage of Manchester City attacks. Skipp will undoubtedly be one to watch out for in the 2021-22 Premier League season.
#2 Florian Wirtz
At just 18, Florian Wirtz is one of the most exciting talents in the game right now, and has the ability to take the footballing world by storm in the coming years.
The Germany U21 international is dubbed as the next Kai Havertz for Bayer Leverkusen, coming through the club's youth setup. Bayer Leverkusen coach Gerardo Seoane has described the midfielder as someone who 'has speed, technical quality, intelligence, is courageous on the pitch, and plays with a naturalness that is very, very rare at this age'.
Seoane also predicted:
“He (Florian) could probably become one of the dominant players in the national team in the coming years."
Wirtz missed Leverkusen’s first game of the 2021-22 season owing to injury, but has already registered 47 appearances for the club in his young career.
The German broke Kai Havertz’s record to become Bayern Leverkusen’s youngest-ever debutant in the Bundesliga. Wirtz scored eight goals, and provided as many assists in 38 appearances in the 2020-21 season.
#1 Harvey Elliott
Harvey Elliott is the youngest debutant in Premier League history, and will be looking to nail down a spot in Liverpool’s starting XI in the 2021-22 season.
The 18-year-old enjoyed an immensely successful loan spell in the Championship with Blackburn Rovers. Elliott was involved in 18 goals (seven goals, 11 assists) in 41 appearances in the Championship, helping Blackburn secure a 15th-place finish.
The England U19 international enjoyed a consistent run in Liverpool’s friendlies leading up to the 2021-22 season. While he favours the right-wing position, Jurgen Klopp mostly deployed Elliot in a midfield role during Liverpool’s pre-season fixtures, where he impressed.
Harvey Elliott made a brief 7-minute substitute appearance in the Reds’ opening-day game of the Premier League season against Norwich City. He showed glimpses of his immense talent, and is regarded by Klopp as a key member of the first team for the ongoing season.
