Leicester City’s emotional title-winning run, Bournemouth’s emergence, Chelsea’s limp title defence, Tottenham’s youth prowess – this Premier League season has definitely given fans multiple reasons to recall with a smile on their faces a few years down the line. What has been refreshing to see is a number of young players who saw this season as an opportunity to take a spring in their career path and make a mark in what has been a logic-defying Premier League season.
Here, we look at eleven such players who raised eyebrows with a handful of first-class performances in their first extended run with their respective teams – outings which suggest that they have the potential to become accomplished footballers in the years to come, be in the Premier League or elsewhere:
Note: Players considered should all have been aged 23 or under as of 1 July 2015
Goalkeeper
Jack Butland (Stoke City)
When Asmir Begovic packed his bags for Stamford Bridge last summer, many questioned the young Jack Butland’s temperament – whether he could shoulder the responsibility of first-team goalkeeping duties at Stoke. Nine months on, it seems Mark Hughes’ faith in his custodian has paid dividends with a string of amazing performances in between the sticks.
With star defender Ryan Shawcross out injured for a good part of the season, Butland was instrumental in holding Stoke’s back-four together – making some brilliant saves and coming out of his line to make match-saving clearances. Since his foot injury during the March international break that has ruled him out for the remainder of the season, the Potters have struggled to keep a lid on their defence – conceding 17 times in 6 games and picking up just 2 points out of a possible 18. That’s how influential he has been.
| Appearances | 31 |
| Saves(including clearances) | 103 |
| Clearances outside the box | 35 |
Defenders
Hector Bellerin (Arsenal)
A product of Barcelona’s La Masia, Hector Bellerin’s stellar displays have won plaudits from critics and managers all across the footballing world, none more so than from his own boss, Arsene Wenger. His electric runs down the right wing, the desire to track back and defend and his delicious crosses into the box have all contributed to his inclusion to the PFA Team of the Season – the only Gunner in that XI.
Therefore, it is hardly an eye-opener that he makes the cut into the Young XI – his intensity-filled performances have fully merited it.
| Appearances | 36 |
| Passes Intercepted | 67 |
| Crosses Blocked | 20 |
| Clearances | 85 |
| Chances Created | 24 |
Kevin Wimmer (Tottenham Hotspur)
In the 3-month absence of Jan Vertonghen due to a knee injury, the Austrian centre-half has deputised immensely for Spurs. It is his solid performances alongside Toby Alderweireld during a pivotal part of the season (January – April) that kept Spurs constantly breathing down Leicester’s necks in their eventually unsuccessful title bid. He can consider himself unlucky to have lost his place as soon as Vertonghen had recovered from injury.
| Appearances | 10 |
| Clearances | 49 |
| Passes Intercepted | 20 |
| Shots Blocked | 11 |
Virgil van Dijk (Southampton)
It has been a stellar debut season in Saints colours for van Dijk. Brought in from Celtic by Ronald Koeman, the Dutchman has been terrific at the heart of the Southampton defence. His tall and broad figure has made him a tough figure to compete against when dealing with long-balls.
In addition to his positives in defence, he has been effective at set-pieces too with his crucial goals that have helped his side clinch a couple of results in their favour. His assuredness at the back have given Southampton a massive chance of going through to the Europa League for the second season running.
| Appearances | 34 |
| Passes Intercepted | 96 |
| Clearances | 260 |
| Goals | 3 |
Nathan Ake (Watford)
Since joining Chelsea in 2012, Ake has struggled to force his way into the Blues’ first team thanks to Cesar Azpilicueta’s consistent displays. He finally earned his opportunity this season when he was loaned to newly promoted Watford by Jose Mourinho. He has shone in Hornets’ colours – his ability to match wingers for pace and read crosses coming in the key aspects of his game this season.
Though not quite Rory Delap, he can throw the ball long, which has at times unsettled opposition defences since players cannot be ruled offside off a throw-in. A really productive season which has seen the Dutchman come out of the frustration of playing in the reserve teams for lengthy periods.
| Appearances | 24 |
| Passes Intercepted | 76 |
| Crosses Blocked | 36 |
Midfielders
Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur)
A part of Tottenham’s explosion of youth talent, Eric Dier’s emergence as a defensive midfielder is something for which Mauricio Pochettino and his staff can take a lot of credit. His confident passing to send Tottenham on their way up the field and timely interceptions to disturb opposition attacks reflects his growth in stature as a dictator in the middle of the field.
He has also been more than happy to fit in the centre of Spurs’ defence whenever called upon. One wouldn’t want to take one’s eyes off him, especially Roy Hodgson, as he prepares to finalize his 23-man squad for the Euros.
| Appearances | 37 |
| Passes Intercepted | 80 |
| Successful Tackles | 45 |
| Passes Completion | 83.3% |
Giannelli Imbula (Stoke City)
Since signing for the Potters from Porto for a record transfer fee, Imbula has justified his price-tag with a string of high-profile peformances in the middle of the pitch. His quick feet have helped him complete nearly 75% of his attempted dribbles. In addition to that, he has made himself a useful figure up the pitch as well, creating goal-scoring opportunities for the likes of Marco Arnautovic, Peter Crouch and Bojan.
He looks like a box-to-box midfield prospect in the making and Mark Hughes must utilise him wisely as he looks to improve on three successive ninth-placed finishes for Stoke City in the Premier League.
| Appearances | 14 |
| Passes Completion | 87.8% |
| Successful Dribbles | 61 |
| Chances Created | 11 |
| Goals Scored | 2 |
Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur)
The 20-year old has been the find of the season by far. His stamina and incredible work-ethic helps him cover every blade of grass on the field. In his first taste of Premier League action, he has developed a great understanding with Harry Kane – feeding him with the final pass and doing a series of one-twos with him to tear opposition defences apart. He always makes his presence felt in the attacking third and Spurs will hope that he carries his excellent form into the next season as they look to challenge for Premier League glory.
| Appearances | 33 |
| Goals Scored/Assists | 10/9 |
| Chances Created | 55 |
Forwards
Anthony Martial (Manchester United)
Yet another player from the land of Notre Dame who has hogged the limelight in his very first Premier League season. He grabbed the headlines with a jaw-dropping solo goal on his debut against Liverpool and has not looked back since. His fleet-footed dribbling from the left-wing has given opposition fullbacks nightmares aplenty.
He is certainly a bright prospect for Manchester United as they look to get through this phase of rebuilding under Louis van Gaal. So far, it looks like 36m well spent on the 20-year old’s transfer from Monaco.
| Appearances | 31 |
| Goals Scored/Assists | 11/3 |
| Dribbles Completed | 84 |
Marcus Rashford (Manchester United)
In a season where Manchester United have spent in excess of 100m on transfers, it is pretty ironical that their shining star has been a player that cost them exactly nothing. Academy graduate Marcus Rashford burst onto the scene with a brace against Midtjylland in the Europa League, following which he demolished Arsenal on his Premier League debut and scored the winner in his side’s victory away to rivals Manchester City.
His lightning quick pace to slalom past defenders and sweet strikes of the ball have been pleasing to watch for Manchester United fans who have had to endure a horrible campaign in terms of results and playing style. Whether he can carry this electric start into the new season will be something to look forward to.
| Appearances | 11 |
| Goals Scored/Assists | 5/2 |
| Chances created | 6 |
Kelechi Iheanacho (Manchester City)
The teenager has been a promising aspect and his emergence as a potential top-notch striker is a success story for Manchester City’s youth set-up. Many a time he has come on in the dying minutes to convert draws into wins for Manchester City. His last-gasp goal to sink Crystal Palace in September made people recognise him for the first time.
He has since risen in prominence as a perfect understudy to Sergio Aguero and has at times started in the Argentine’s absence due to injury. One wonders whether Pep Guardiola will regard him with as much belief as Manuel Pellegrini did.
| Minutes Played | 753 |
| Goals scored | 8 |
| Chances Created | 14 |
| Dribbles Completed | 13/18 |
