Football’s hot property – Six bright talents

Here, we have a look at six young players Premier League managers might have their eye on from July 1st to August 31st.

Luke Shaw (in red)

Luke Shaw (Southampton – Left Back)

What’s frightening about Luke Shaw isn’t that he possesses predator like speed coaches dream of when searching for full backs, nor that he can mark, tackle and get forward with the Premier League’s best. But, what’s incredible is that he’s only 17-years-old.

Born in south-west London, Shaw is yet another product of the famous Southampton football academy. Often operating as a left back, sometimes a wing back, he shows remarkable understanding of a difficult position to nail down.

In most cases it takes young defenders years to learn how to properly defend, let alone get over the learning curve of also getting forward and tracking back.

At such a tender age, it’s quite stunning how Shaw has already cemented his place in the Saints first team and England’s giants have him firmly on their radar. With his technique on the ball and his ability to defend the flanks, he tends to remind some of another defender-turned-winger that graduated from Southampton’s academy.

Jordan Ayew

Jordan Ayew (Marseille – Striker)

Talented strikers are always in high demand, and when they are young and talented, they are even more coveted. France seems to be stocked full of prospects like 21-year-old Jordan Ayew. Pace to get behind Ligue 1?s toughest backline and a cultured right foot might put most young footballers on Europe’s radar.

While Jordan’s sibling Andre has done his own amount of damage inFrance’s top league, it’s becoming clear the the younger Ayew isn’t letting his age or last name diminish his rapidly growing spotlight. Having already made a staggering 93 appearances for Marseille (scoring 13 goals), Jordan looks to be an invaluable puzzle piece to any team looking to add a clever young goalscorer.

Leandro Paredes

Leandro Paredes (Boca Juniors – Midfielder)

When a club produces players like Roberto Cherro, Silvio Marzolini, Juan Roman Riquelme, Martin Palermo and some guy named Diego Maradona, it’s not a surprise when claims of more talent are on the way.

Boca Juniors’ latest talent comes in the form of 18-year-old Leandro Paredes. With four goals in 18 appearances for his one and only club, he’s already gotten off to a good start in what seems like a blossoming career.

Deployed as an attacking midfielder, he’s been blessed with the typical South American traits- technique, creativity and of course, flair. It’s only a matter of time before Europe’s finest really begin to take notice of how special Paredes might be.

Yann Sommer

Yann Sommer (FC Basel – Goalkeeper)

At 24, we arrive at the oldest player on the list. This Swiss-born keeper is already well established for both his club and country. 72 appearances for one of Switzerland’s top clubs, captain of the country’s U21 team that reached the finals of the U21 European Championship without conceding a goal and with four caps to the Swiss senior team, Sommer is more valuable than many realize.

Although what he’s achieved already in his career is quite impressive, it’s what he hasn’t that should really interest teams. Being a keeper often draws upon the mental aspect of the game more than other positions.

A keeper has to understand that eventually, he will let a goal in. Sommer’s impressive Euro U21 scoreless streak ended in the finals – against Spain – where his side lost 2-0.

The ever present quandary with young keepers is whether or not to treat with kid gloves or baptize by fire. Sommer has seemed to take the latter approach which means a move to a bigger club won’t be too much of a challenge for his well-tested abilities.

Dennis Praet

Dennis Praet (Anderlecht – Midfielder)

The Belgians keep on coming. Meet the latest and possibly the most dangerous gem the talented country has to offer. A classic number 10 type, Praet is a play-making dynamo, sitting in the attacking third and picking out passes for his teammates in dangerous areas.

He’s become quite the valuable asset for his Anderlecht side. After impressing in his youth career, most of it spent with fellow Belgian side Genk, he become a target for a host of top European clubs.

However, in a somewhat mature move, Praet decided to remain in Belgium and signed with Anderlecht, where in two years he’s made 34 first team appearances.

At first glance only two goals to his name would seem like a negative, but it’s actually just a part of his unselfish nature. With his magnificent ball control and ability to see runs developing before they have happened, he reminds many of David Silva. At 18, expect him to make the move to a more talented league in a year or two.

Joel Matip

Joel Matip (Schalke 04 – Center Back/Midfielder)

Germany’s Bundesliga houses some of the game’s best and brightest young prospects. The brightest among them would be Joel Matip.

Despite only being 21, Matip has already gathered an incredible 108 appearances for Schalke. If that doesn’t impress, he’s also netted nine goals while playing center back for one of the Bundesliga’s most consistent defenses.

Strong in the air and reliable at the back, it’s no wonder Matip has been the subject of transfer speculation for quite a while.

Internationally, Matip had a choice to make early on- play for Germany, the birth place of his mother, or Cameroon where his father was born.

After much back and forth between federations, Matip chose to represent Cameroon where he’s already garnered 16 caps, while being used as a midfielder. A young, tested and versatile talent like Matip would be an asset to any team on the lookout for an upgrade.