Premier League’s Next 10 Wonderkids

March 30, 2014

10. MARCOS LOPES

Age: 17. Club: Manchester City. Position: Central-midfield.

The Portuguese youth international marked his senior debut for Manchester City last season with a goal in an FA Cup tie against Watford. He will be hoping for more opportunities this time around, having already broken the record for City’s youngest goalscorer in a competitive game

9. GEORGE GREEN

Age: 17. Club: Everton. Position: Central-midfield.

A key player for Everton during last season’s FA Youth Cup campaign, Green has won a handful of caps for England at U17 level. His ability to dictate play from central-midfield has earned him rave reviews from scouts and he will be hoping to follow Ross Barkley into the first-team squad.

8. GREGOR ZABRET

Age: 17. Club: Swansea City. Position: Goalkeeper.

One of several summer recruits by Swansea already during this transfer window, the Slovenian goalkeeper possesses impressive reflexes and will provide back-up for established custodians Michel Vorm and Gerhard Tremmel.

7. JACK GREALISH

Age: 17. Club: Aston Villa. Position: Central-midfield

An exquisite passer of the ball who made the bench for Villa in the Premier League whilst still a schoolboy, Grealish seems poised for a breakthrough 2013/14 campaign, during which he could feature for the first-team before heading out on loan.

6. JORDON IBE

Age: 17. Club: Liverpool. Position: Striker

An extremely quick and skilful attacker who can also operate on the wing, big things are expected of Ibe at Anfield after he made the breakthrough into the U21 side last season. He may have to be patient for his chance with Raheem Sterling ahead of him, but he should receive some run-outs.

5. ANDREAS CHRISTENSEN

Age: 17. Club: Chelsea. Position: Centre-back.

A tall, imposing centre-back who made the bench for Chelsea’s final Premier League game of last season, Christensen subsequently travelled on the end-of-season trip to America and could receive further run-outs during 2013/14. A player who shone in the NextGen Series and FA Youth Cup in his first season at Chelsea, a senior debut may well follow this time around.

4. JACOB MURPHY

Age: 18. Club: Norwich City. Position: Winger.

Along with his twin brother Josh, Jacob Murphy was one of the stars of Norwich City’s FA Youth Cup success last season. Capable of playing on either flank or up front, the extremely skilful youngster should receive some Premier League minutes next season.

3. SERGE GNABRY

Age: 17. Club: Arsenal. Position: Winger.

The dynamic and skilful German winger made his Premier League and Champions League debuts in the space of a few days last season, but drifted out of the first-team picture towards the end of the campaign. Possessing a powerful shot, Gnabry will be seeking to make an even bigger impact this season.

2. ADNAN JANUZAJ

Age: 18. Club: Manchester United. Position: Winger.

After months of impressing in the club’s U21 set-up, Januzaj was drafted into the Manchester United senior squad towards the end of last season and is expected to be heavily involved in the Capital One Cup this time around. Extremely skilful, tall and versatile, Januzaj is most at home as a number ten and also weighs in with his fair share of goals.

1. IZZY BROWN

Age: 16. Club: West Bromwich Albion. Position: Striker.

A 16-year-old striker who is the jewel in the crown of West Bromwich Albion’s steadily-improving Academy, Brown has been heavily linked with a move to Chelsea and it will certainly be difficult for the Baggies to retain his services if he continues to develop apace.