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The 2012-13 season of the Premier League was more of a competition for the Champions League spots by the top teams as it became evident halfway through the season that the Premier League trophy was coming back to Old Trafford. At the end of the season there were many exits, the most notable one being the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson and Roberto Mancini facing the wrath of his owners even after finishing second and winning the title the previous year.
However, this season promises to be an exciting with almost all the top clubs going for a change with the manager or a big scoop in the market. The return of the ‘Special One’ could add the extra flavour that was missing last season. Let’s see five youngsters who could be the potential stars this season and for whom this may be their breakthrough season on their way to become a world-class player.
Nathan Ake
18-year old Nathan Ake made his full debut for Chelsea‘s first team against Middlesbrough in the FA Cup tie. He did impress in a match that was otherwise overshadowed by Benitez’s bite at the fans at the post-match conference. His ability to play either in midfield or in defense with equal prowess is the highlight of his game which is complemented by his high tackling and interception rate.
Ramires seems to excel when playing alongside Ake as he is given the free role to join the attacks rather than stay behind when he plays alongside Lampard. Rafa Benitez rewarded him with his first full Premier League debut in the last game of the season against Everton.
Even though it was a dead rubber, Ake put up a commendable performance at the heart of the defense. He may have made his way into the first team squad last season, but this could well be his breakthrough season where seals a permanent spot in the line-up and is in contention for the 2014 World Cup with the Dutch, even though that may seem a little too far-fetched.
Luke Shaw
When you are labelled the next ‘Gareth Bale’ and come from the same academy you need to perform well. The phrase that was used to describe Michael Owen “‘if he’s good enough, he’s old enough” could be better suited to this 17-year old left-back from Southampton.
The fact he’s been up against top wingers and attackers in the physically tough Premier League doesn’t seem to faze him, he is very composed on the ball when getting forward, and defensively he has been excellent. He has the pace to burn which will only improve with time and is the perfect modern-day full back who overlaps the winger and also makes recovery runs when the opposition counters.
Last season he made his foray into the first team and managed 25 appearances and has penned a new deal with the Saints for the next 5 years. This season may be the time when he manages to become the best left back in the league along the likes of Baines and Cole.
Lewis Holtby
Spurs found themselves in desperate need of some depth in the midfield during last season. Then, Andre Villas Boas used his scouting experience to buy a gem in the name of Lewis Holtby. In the midfield area, Holtby is adept at various roles, from a deep-lying playmaker – a position in which he performed well with Schalke last season – to a traditional midfielder or further forward as a No. 10.
Even though Spurs may have good players in the midfiled what sets him apart from others is his high defensive work-rate and his willingness to track back. He could be played on the left wing where he could complement Garteh Bale by providing him the final ball and he can track back to assist Assou-Ekoto who is caught out of position when the opposition break.
He made 11 appearances last season but this season he could make his way into the starting XI and seal a permanent spot if he continues his hard work and could become one of the best midfielders in the Premier League.
Philippe Coutinho
He is the typical Brazilian number 10 with pace, trickery, flair, fantastic vision and an eye for goal. His passes can break down defenses which were evidently seen in Liverpool‘s 6-0 demolition of Newcastle on a day when Philippe Coutinho was the architect of a team that brought the Newcastle defense to shambles even without their star striker Luis Suarez.
However, during his stint at Inter he wasn’t as good as he plays for Liverpool but Brendan Rodgers seems to have brought the confidence in him. Last season he established himself as a promising youngster in the Premier League and if Rodgers plays him in his role, he may contest with the likes of Cazorla, Oscar and Mata for the best No.10 in the Premier League.
Wilfired Zaha
In 2011 United lost out to a second-tier Crystal Palace side in the Carling Cup quarter-finals. A large part of this victory can be attributed to Wilfried Zaha who broke the United Defense into pieces that day and regularly made forays into the box after beating the full.
Two years later, the same man was Sir Alex’s last signing and he may prove to be one of the best. Wilfried Zaha signed off with a man-of-the-match display to help Crystal Palace gain promotion to the EPL. He plays a lot like ‘Cristiano Ronaldo‘ and has the pace to burn, the skill to easily ward off defenders, ability to play with both feet, a very good shot from inside and outside the box and he can play anywhere across the front line.
His first season in the Premier League would surely prove to be his breakthrough season as he can easily break into the first team whose wingers had been in poor form throughout last season, while he had an excellent season last year in the Championship. He will surely establish himself as the one of the best wingers in Europe in few seasons and may be the best in the Premier League this year.
