These are the young players I feel can really set the league alight next season at thier clubs given the chance. A number of them are missing but if you can come up with a player for them feel free to add them in or put in your own suggestions. Arsenal -David Bentley Aston Villa - Liam Ridgewell/Stefan Moore Birmingham City - Blackburn Rovers - Paul Gallagher Bolton Wanderers - Charlton Athletic - Chelsea -Arjen Robben Everton - James McFadden Fulham - Collins John Norwich City - West Brom- Liverpool - Richie Partridge Man City - Steven Elliott Man United - Darren Fletcher/Liam Miller Middlesborough - Newcastle United - Darren Ambrose Portsmouth - Lomano Lua Lua(If made permanent) Southampton - Leandre Griffit Tottenham - Steven Kelly Crystal Palace-Wayne Routledge West Ham-Anton Ferdinand
Giffit could very well turn out to be a gem. But the young pup at Southampton that I'd keep my eye on next year is Yoann Folly. The 18 year-old started in 9 or 10 games down the stretch this year. I think Luggy has plans for the boy!
Everton - Leon Osman, been on form on laon at Deby and played fairly well in a trully appalling couple of performances from the team after his return at the end of the season.
This thread is utterly pointless if people are going to name established players. The only use of threads like this (and it is a very good use) is when active supporters of teams (those who watch matches (preferably at reserve or youth level)) can alert those who don't to the real young talent at their clubs. But a thread that says Ronaldo, Defoe, Yakubu, etc. are worth watching tells us absolutely nothing we don't know already.
OK then, let's start by scratching Ritchie Partridge from the list against Liverpool. Even allowing for the essentially pointless task of trying to guess what players will be prominent in a team about to get a new manager, we can safely say that Partridge is highly unlikely ever to impose himself upon the top-level game enough to make it at Anfield. He's too small, too injury-prone and, at 22, also not exactly a kid anymore. The last youth player to make himself a regular at Anfield on the wrong side of his 20th birthday was Jamie Carragher. Same goes for Neil Mellor on that score, even if he is still more likely to make it than Partridge. But he has been loaned out to Crewe so it doesn't really count anyway. Jon Welsh (himself just turned 20) must remain the most likely candidate for emergence next season. Saving that, Ste Warnock, should he decide to come back and Liverpool decide not to make his loan at Coventry (where he was voted Fans' Player of the Year) permanent, is a good shout for a spot across the back on occasions this season.
Well considering that Houllier brought no fewer than none of the current first-team academy graduates through the ranks I'd say it's fairly open for the likes of Partridge to get his chance in the side now there will be a new manager. Two major knee injuries caused by freak accident is hardly injury-prone, it's more bad luck than anything but if you reckon that this along with size is justification enough not to give him a shot then why is Michael Owen playing when his hamstrings are like twine they snap up on him so often. Simply because he's two years older than John Welsh his chance is gone, this doesn't make any sense if he's good enough he should play surely regardless of age, Gary Mac started his liverpool career when he was practically retire yet he was instrumental when he played! Partridge is held in high regard at all at the club and has been praised by the likes of Steve Heighway and various first-team players over the years and despite his injuries the club have still kept faith in him and renewed his contracts so there must be something there. Another sign of his talent is the first thing Gary McAllister did when he became Coventry boss was get Partridge on loan and he proved to a steal for Coventry putting in great performances that year and scoring the Division One Goal of the Season with goal after running the length of the pitch.
I dealt with that particular bit of ignorance on another thread. Steven Gerrard is even now still wiping tears of mirth from his eyes. Pop quiz: how many appearances in the Liverpool first team does Ritchie Partridge have? Who gave it him? Only the limit on image numbers in a single post prevents me from roll-eyeing you out of town for good. What the hell - have another: Owen's hamstring problems have been behind him for more than 18 months now. Following, it has to be added for the sake of your footballing education, a determined change-about in the physio programmes at Liverpool, a new training regime and work with two dietricians from the Fontainbleu academy that worked under Houllier when he was the Technical Director of the French FA. Were it not for Houllier, your portrayal of Owen's injury situation may still be accurate. But because of Gerard Houllier, it's not. It's a load of ill-informed twaddle. Oh - and twine is, pound for pound, one of the strongest binding materials nature provides us with. Just by the by, like. You might want to spend more of your pocketmoney in Metaphors 'R' Us in future. You're absolutely correct. It doesn't make any sense. Which is why I did not say that. Nor would I say, because I do not say things that fail to make sense. Precisely ... care to close the circle there, Sparky? Erm ... yes. I agree. That bears no relation to the likelihood of young, whispy players like Partridge breaking into Liverpool's first-team squad though. Does it? Hmmm? So's the tea lady. LOL! Oh, well when you firm the whole issue up like that, then sure, I can see where you're coming from. An inarguable case appears before me! Fixed your post, just for accuracy's sake. And I agree - Partridge is not a bad player by any means and who knows - he may even still have some form of future at the club. But the object of this thread is to establish which player from within the ranks of the present squads at every Premiership club is MOST LIKELY to be a break-through succes this coming season. And my response is, was and remains that it will not be Ritchie Partridge in Liverpool's case.
My personal players to watch on Saints squad (in order of position): Alan Blayney (goalkeeper) He is 22, but stepped into the limelight at the end of last season. Unfortunately, he is third in line for first team duties behind Antti Niemi and Paul Smith (From Brentford) and may have to move on to reach his full potential. Darren Kenton (right-back) Versatile and pacey defender who I would like to take over right back duties from the ageing Jason Dodd/Paul Telfer. Made some awesome last ditch challenges last season. Yoann Folly (midfielder) Again highly versatile, powerful, fast and confident. A good call prk! Leandre Griffit (midfielder) May frustrate this season, as we get to see more of him. I'm not 100% convinced by Griffit, but should be a useful contributor and one to watch to see if he can make it as a regular performer more than as a star contributor. Dexter Blackstock (striker) This kid was on fire for the under 19s last year, when the Saints won the U19s cup and scored all season for the reserves who finished second or third. If he gets the opportunity at first team level to use his pace and finishing instinct he could be a new star. He is scoring at international level again at U19 and U18 level, but he is destined for the next level. Kenwyne Jones (midfielf) Even though his confidence is immense and ability good, this 6' teenager from Trinidad and Tobago, may not live up to the expectations he is setting for himself. I believe he will spend a season in the reserves before settling and then will become a force in a couple of years. A little early to predict this one, but he's on my list for what that is worth.