Given how Tottenham Hotspur have been immensely successful with the capture of Dele Alli a couple of windows ago, and given how expensive the rest of Europe seems to be getting, there’s a very high chance that English Premier League clubs might look at some of the best talents from the British isles.
And with the wave is finally heading towards its crest, there are a bunch of youngsters who could join big clubs this summer. English schools have gone through a period of time where they’ve failed to provide the kind of talent capable of challenging the Spains, the Germanys and the Frances but this summer could change all that.
So, here’s looking at five young English talent that could be on the shortlist for various top clubs:
#1 Dele Alli – Tottenham Hotspur
The current poster child for England’s now-blooming youth system is London born and bred midfielder, Dele Alli. The 21-year-old joined Tottenham Hotspur in the winter of 2015 and immediately went back on loan to his former club, MK Dons earning them a promotion.
When he subsequently returned to Tottenham Hotspur in the summer, Alli didn’t put a foot wrong and is now their most exciting player even though they have talents like Harry Kane and Christian Eriksen.
Alli is a central midfielder who loves attacking the ball and playing behind a centre-forward. His form his season has been scintillating and he’s being touted to switch White Hart Lane for the Santiago Bernabeu in the summer in what could be a world-record bid. Quite the rise for the Englishman.
#2 Ryan Sessegnon – Fulham
The youngest player on this list and the only one who still has homework duty is Fulham’s 16-year-old sensation Ryan Sessegnon. The teenager has been on fire this season breaking into the senior side and handling the pressure with real aplomb.
Sessegnon is a left-back by trade but is often seen bombing down the left-hand side to support the striker and the winger. Further evidence, such as his goal tally which shows he’s scored a surprising seven goals this season, will point to the fact that this youngster could undergo a Gareth Bale-esque kind of change in the near future.
Currently rated around €10 million, expect Sessegnon to be amongst those who could tease the bigger Premier League clubs come the opening of the summer transfer window.
#3 Tammy Abraham – Bristol City (On loan from Chelsea)
If you believed in youth like Arsene Wenger or Pep Guardiola do, then you wouldn’t understand why Antonio Conte is looking to sign Romelu Lukaku in the summer. Yes, Lukaku is almost a finished product with his strength and his desire but when the club have Tammy Abraham on their books, it seems unnecessary.
The 19-year-old forward has lit up the Bristol City this season with 26 goals in all competitions. And still only a teenager, he’s showing the growth rate of a seasoned striker which makes him all the more impressive and one who could soon leave his mark wearing blue.
There are reports that a host of Premier League clubs including Everton and Southampton are after him but only in a manner of a loan move given Chelsea are unwilling to sell one of their prized assets. Wherever it is he goes, Tammy is going to be pursued by a bunch of clubs this summer.
#4 Luke Shaw – Manchester United
Young Luke Shaw has had a rough couple of years with Manchester United but is still only 22 and could very well carve out a successful career should he make the right moves. Given he’s now back in the side, you may be wondering why he’s on this list.
Simple, his contract is up at the end of next season and clubs will be ready to sign him up on the free knowing very well they’re getting someone who has true potential and only lacking in the confidence department – Jose Mourinho isn’t doing him many favours here.
Shaw is a left-back and a really quick one at that with a deadly cross on him. Should he rediscover the kind of form that saw him switch St Mary’s for Old Trafford, you can rest assure that clubs will line up to sign him on.
#5 Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – Arsenal
Ever since Arsene Wenger reverted to the 3-4-3 formation that Arsenal have played in recent weeks, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has looked like a player reborn and one who could finally reach the heights he was expected to.
With only a year left on his contract, the 23-year-old is now a wanted man with Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool all interested in signing him on a free transfer. He’s got the kind of quality that only comes around rarely and the Gunners will do well to hold on to him.
He’s quick, he dribbles well and he has quite the mean shot meaning he’s a proper out and out attacker. But his patience and his distribution also mean he could play comfortably in central midfield. Either way, he’s a gem and one who could really make the Gunners successful again.
