Had no idea where to stick this so thought this could be a general "Keep an eye out for these guys" as they are English and starting/playing in the Premier League - As we know, it's less than 40% of the players. Note - This is not a "They should be called up to England right now" thread but a " You know what, there is a chance they could play depending on how things go" thread. From Leicester I am looking forward to seeing if the following can make the step up: 1) Danny Drinkwater - Best midfielder in the Championship by a mile last season. Tackles, scores, sets up goals. 2) Matty James - Drinkwaters partner in central midfield. A lot of unnoticed work, wins the ball - gives it to the wingers, chips in with the odd goal. Him and Drinkwater were dominant last season. 3) Liam Moore - Under 21's centre back - Out of the side at the tail end of last season but only lost his place due to injury. Has been solid at the back, composed, good in the air. 4) Paul Konchesky - What's he doing here?
Big season for so many players. There's a lot at United (Zaha, Lingard, Powell, Keane x2, Pearson, Rothwell, Wilson, and Liverpool's need to carry on like they did last year.
Will be interesting to see how to left back situation at United will look like.Reece James might benefit from the transition.
The lack of a DM is concerning, only Huddlestone and Rodwell are the only ones I can think of going foward. Rodwell's move to City was a huge mistake on his part, hopefully he can make a move to get his career back on track
Also, could be a chance to become regulars or really kick on for the Likes of Smalling, Jones, Welbeck. Cleverley may find it tough. Will be interesting how Drinkwater and James do in the Prem. Particularly used to like James. Been bit unlucky with injuries in his career. Liam Moore really seemed a different player the little i watched him last season compared to the one before as well. Still pretty young and he has potential.
It's a shame that Liverpool will be spending so much money this transfer window. They have some quality English youngsters. Jordon Ibe (Especially if he sorts out his shooting) is going to be a big player. He's definitely one to look out for next season. Micah Richards, Wayne Bridge, James Milner, Shawn-Wright Philips, Jack Rodwell, Scott Sinclair, Joleon Lescott. Man City have a short history of destroying English player careers. As for Rodwell, he's just another Darren Anderton or Kieron Dyer. Good player, but ridiculously injury prone.
Rather than individual players I am more intrigued with how certain coaches are going to use our options or if they do and whether that could have an effect on our fortunes. Man Utd playing three at the back would help ourselves for instance. Martinez, Rodgers and Pochettino did alot of good and improved players for the better last season. Hoping that can continue.
Oh yeah! Chuba Akpom could cause a stir this season, wherever he ends up. He came on for about 15 minutes earlier for Arsenal. Didn't do much to speak of but he's a classy player. Most "surprising" for me was he looked taller (for some reason). Usually you'd expect a young player to look smaller in the first team.
I'm kind of falling out of favor with Zaha. He will get headlines because he's a guy who can do all these tricks and plays for United. He hasn't looked good ever since he moved to United.
I don't think Zaha rated you in the first place, mate. He was one of the few stand outs in preseason last year for United.
He did well vs Inter. Was pretty poor vs Real. Think he needs a good PL loan really, where he plays regularly in a club that is no sinking ship. He will have a real bad 2 games in a row, then look great for a period and then be bad for a period. So it kind of ends of depending on which side have you seen in terms of rating him. His team needs to give him more leeway and room to do his thing. More than Cardiff could in their situation.
The trouble is, where is he going to get a loan deal where he can play as a forward in England? He might be better off going abroad if he can.
More than players to watch, more so we need the following young English players part of Premier League clubs to push on this season in that gap between academy & first team regular /fringe. Premier League Arsenal: Calum Chambers, Isaac Hayden, Chuba Akpom Villa: Gary Gardner, Callum Robinson Chelsea: Todd Kane, Nat Chalobah, Josh McEachran, Lewis Baker, John Swift (loan to Rotherham), Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Patrick Bamford, Alex Kiwomya Everton: Tyias Browning, Brendan Galloway, John Stones, Luke Garbutt, John Lundstram (loan to Blackpool), Hallam Hope, Chris Long, Conor McAleny Liverpool: Jon Flanagan, Lloyd Jones, Andre Wisdom (loan to WBA), Jack Robinson, Brad Smith (loan to Swindon), Jordon Ibe, Jack Dunn Man City: Angus Gunn, Shay Facey, Greg Leigh, Kean Bryan, Ashley Smith-Brown, George Glendon, Jordy Hiwula, Devante Cole Man Utd: Sam Johnstone, Michael Keane, Tyler Blackett, Reece James, Tom Thorpe, Joe Rothwell, Ben Pearson, Josh Harrop, Nick Powell, Wilfried Zaha, Jesse Lingard, Will Keane, James Wilson Tottenham: Eric Dier, Zeki Fryers, Ryan Fredericks, Tom Carroll, Ryan Mason, Harry Winks, Alex Prichard (loan to Brentford), Nathan Oduwa, Harry Kane West Ham: Leo Chambers, Dan Potts, Diego Poyet, Dan Whitehead, Josh Cullen, Matthias Fanimo, Ravel Morrison, Elliott Lee Sunderland: Liam Agnew, Martin Smith, Duncan Watmore Southampton: Jack Stephens, Matt Targett, Harrison Reed, Jake Flannigan, Sam McQueen, Sam Gallagher Palace: Jerome Williams, Jake Gray, Reise Allassani, Sullay Kai Kai WBA: Liam O'Neil, Kemar Roofe, Saido Berahino Leicester: Tom Hopper Stoke: Jack Butland
But he's on a new team. Sometimes players can't do well on their new teams so that's why I'd keep an eye on him.