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The English Premier League has produced many great players to the world of football. David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ryan Giggs, Thiery Henry, Paul Scholes, Drogba, Frank Lampard, Fabregas, Steven Gerrard, the list goes on. The home of talents promises to produce many more in the coming seasons. Here is a list of top 8 young midfielders in the Barclays Premier League:
The 22-year old Nigerian winger who moved from Wigan Athletic to the European champions Chelsea F.C. is one of the top rated young midfielders in Barclays Premier League. Moses had an amazing season with Wigan Athletic last year. He started 38 games in Premier League with Wigan Athletic and netted 6 times. Unfortunately, the Nigerian footballer has not had a good season with Chelsea. He has made only 13 appearances, has scored only one goal and has failed to assist in any of the goals. Moses is predicted to be a better player and create more goal chances for Chelsea in the coming season.
The Irish international who plays for Wigan Athletic and has had an impressive season with Wigan this year, was also Arsene Wenger’s transfer target for 8 million euros. Wigan Athletic’s manager Robert Martinez has insisted that the 22-year old will not move from Wigan at least for the next 2 years. He also added that he is destined to be in one of the top 4 clubs of Barclays Premier League. The Irish footballer has impressive composure with the ball for his age and it is believed that his best is yet to come.
The 20 year old Liverpool midfielder is another great talent emerging from English football. The English midfielder has been sensational for Liverpool F.C. in Europa League. He has scored 4 goals and assisted 1 by coming on as substitute twice but Shelvey is yet to shine in the Barclays Premier League. He has made only 16 appearances this season in Premier League and was sent off once against Manchester United. He has been criticised for his lacklustre performance lately but it is believed that the 20-year old can come over all the criticism and prove his talent in the world of football.
The Brazilian attacking midfielder made an impressive start for Chelsea F.C. in UEFA Champions League group stages against the Italian champions Juventus. He scored two amazing goals, helping his team to draw against Juventus. The 21-year old footballer has been impressive throughout the season. He previously moved from Sport Club Internacional to Chelsea F.C. for around 25 million euros. Oscar has been playing alongside Eden Hazard and the Spaniard Juan Mata to put up brilliant performances for the blues.
The 23-year old English footballer has been an important part of Manchester United’s squad this season. Cleverley has amazing passing skills and ball control. He has helped the summer signing Robin Van Persie score many goals. He combines well with Wayne Rooney, Van Persie, Kagawa as well as Javier Hernandez. He has netted twice in the league this season, once against Newcastle United and another against Sunderland. The central midfielder is compared to English legends like Paul Scholes and Frank Lampard for his impressive passing skills. He has been contributing a lot to the Manchester United squad as well the English international team. Over the years, the Red Devils have developed a lot of young players and this time, it seems to Tom Cleverley. He has gained a lot of experience by being on long spell loans with Wigan Athletic, Watford and Leicester City. He has worked hard to become a part of the Manchester United squad. It is also believed that he can replace Manchester United’s midfield maestro Paul Scholes.
“He, to my mind, is probably the best midfield player in Britain, potentially. He has fantastic promise.” Sir Alex Ferguson talks up Cleverley’s talents during the 2011-12 season.
Jack Wilshere has been often referred to as the future of Gunners and future of English football. 5 years back, when the English footballer was only 16 years old, he was compared to Arsenal legends like Liam Brady and Dennis Bergkamp. Wilshere has scored 5 goals and assisted 14 in 86 appearances till date with Arsenal. Jack Wilshere and Tom Cleverley are often compared with each other as they are one of the best young midfielders in England at present. In his debut season i.e. 2010/11 season, he did not put up enough performances to show that he was one of the future prospects for Arsenal. Wilshere is quick and plays simple passes. He often creates chances playing with Walcott, Podolski and Cazorla alongside; just the way Arsene Wenger desires his players to be. But the young lad is often struck with injury. The 21-year old has a lot to come up with in the coming seasons. Wilshere’s ability to run with the ball is dazzling.
“He can tick almost every box, and he’s going to get better and better. He’ll get better than he is now which is a scary thought,” Gerrard said of Wilshere earlier this month.
The 23-year old Welsh footballer plays for Tottenham Hotspur and is often the talk of the English football fans crowd. Bale, who spent his youth career with Saints, moved from Southampton to Spurs in the year 2007 for 5 million euros. Bale has been fantastic for Tottenham from his day one. For his free kick ability, he is often compared to the free kick kings David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo. The White’s no. 11 has scored 13 goals in 23 appearances in Barclays Premier League. He has also delivered his team with consistent performances in Europa League this season by scoring 2 goals and assisting 2 others in just 5 appearances. Manchester United’s manager, Alex Ferguson had a great interest in signing the 23-year old young player in the summer transfer window but was unable to do so. There are rumours that Gareth Bale is in talks with the Spanish defending champions Real Madrid. Injury has struck the midfielder quiet a few times, resulting in ups and downs in his career for a quiet some time. He can deliver a great cross on the run and he is also a free-kick specialist. The Welsh footballer has a great ability to score goals and he is fast. Bale has been delivering fantastic performances in this season and previous ones too. Bale can improve his skills and become one among the greatest footballers as he has age on his side.
“There can’t be a better left-sided player anywhere. If he were English he’d be going to the World Cup now, that’s for sure. He can play left-back or wide left in midfield, he’s six foot and has great a physique. He can run all day, has an unbelievable left foot, has skill and his heading is top-class – he can do everything.” former Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp added.
The Belgian international Eden Hazard has been hazardous for the opponent defenders and goalkeeper. The former Ligue 1 club Lille player and present Chelsea player has been totally fantastic for Blue lions this season. He moved to Chelsea from Lille in the summer transfer window for 32 million pounds. Hazard had been a target of Manchester United’s Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger, Manchester City‘s Roberto Mancini and Harry Redknapp. But the Belgian footballer decided to join the Euorpean Champions Chelsea F.C. at the end of last season. He was the first non-French player to win the Ligue 1 Young player of the year. Hazard has been a nightmare for every defender in Barclays Premier League this season. He has scored 7 goals and assisted 7 other goals in Barclays Premier League for Chelsea this season. The 22-year old midfielder has great dribbling skills and has scored impressive solo goals. He has played alongside Chelsea’s summer signing Oscar to win few crucial matches for the European Champions. Coming from a footballing family where his parents were footballers and his younger brother a Chelsea teammate, the Belgian has more skills to show in the coming few seasons. He has also been one of the best signings in Premier League this season.
“Eden is technically gifted and very fast. I would take him to Real Madrid with my eyes closed. He can become a great footballer, he is a star of the future.”France legend Zinedine Zidane gives Hazard a ringing endorsement.
