The excitement around the transfer window has become part and parcel of the pre-season schedule. Whether it’s that new defender to keep you in the division, or the one superstar who will turn a third placed finish into a title, fans scour the internet for the tiniest tidbit to suggest they might get their eyeballs on Camavinga, Haaland, or, um, Marc Albrighton in the upcoming season.
But what about the elite players of the future? In the furore around transfer dealings, clubs might quietly be preparing their superstar behind the scenes to take them forward in a year or two. And a handful of them might make themselves known this season as well. Here are five, in no particular order, who might just light up the stage in years to come.
Lewis Bate – Chelsea
The Athletic have called him one of the highest rated prospects in the Premier League, and he has been named on the bench already, against Sheffield United and Bayern Munich. The midfielder is not afraid to put in a challenge and will make driving runs from deep to get his team up the field. But it’s his passing and vision that really stand out, he can spot the openings before they appear, and his wand of a left foot always delivers.
Recent contract negotiations have stalled, and at 18 Bate expects to see a clear path to the first team, and doesn’t want to go on loan. He sees Kante and Jorginho ahead of him, and next summer also a Billy Gilmour with Premier League experience, so Chelsea will either lose him or they will have to open up a route for him to get amongst the first team squad. Either way, it’s likely we’ll be seeing some of him this season.
Jamal Baptiste – West Ham
Excitement has been growing at West Ham around this youngster, as he has developed in the U23s. Good in the air, with excellent positional sense and the ability to sniff out danger and react all make Baptiste a Premier League prospect for the future. And his pace means he can recover if there are any youthful mistakes.
West Ham have been strengthening at the back, with the permanent signing of Craig Dawson and the addition in January of Frederik Alves from Silkeborg, but with Dawson and Ogbonna the wrong side of 30, and Ben Johnson’s promising integration into the first team squad, maybe it’s time for David Moyes to put some Premier League minutes into Baptiste’s young legs.
Dane Scarlett – Tottenham Hotspur
“He’s just got that eye for the goal, knows his way around the box and he’s got two unbelievable feet.” So says Spurs legend and Scarlett’s coach, Ledley King, who has been impressed by what he has seen. Scarlett has started bulking up for the demands of senior football, and has been involved in pre-season. The youngster stepped up to the senior squad last season under Jose Mourinho, and although his game time was limited he did make a couple of appearances in the Europa League, and made his very brief Premier League debut against West Brom.
Scarlett’s best next move might normally be a loan, where he can get regular game time and come back a more confident, experienced pro. But with the question marks surround Harry Kane’s future, and the England talisman’s injury troubles, Scarlett might just be given more of a chance under Nuno’s watchful eye.
Carney Chukwuemeka – Aston Villa
Aston Villa fans saw Chukwuemeka make his debut for the senior side at the back end of last season, coming on for a handful of minutes against Tottenham and Chelsea. He is an increasingly powerful attacking midfielder, with an eye for goal who, according to the Birmingham Mail’s Ashley Preece, is “oozing confidence and swagger” and a “scary prospect.” Sound familiar?
The Villa hierarchy are certainly confident in his ability, with Christian Purslow describing him as “probably the best 16-year-old in England” (he’s 17 now) and him being confirmed in the first team squad for the upcoming season. If Grealish does make the oft rumoured move to Man City, Chukwuemeka might just step into his boots. The rumour mill is already swirling around the teenager though, with both Manchester clubs, Liverpool, Bayern and Juventus all monitoring him closely.
Shola Shoretire – Manchester United
I said there was no particular order to this, but probably we have saved the best for last. Shola Shoretire can play on either side but generally cuts in from the left onto his favoured right foot. Fans got a taster of him with a total of 10 minutes of Premier League action, against Newcastle and Wolves, but surely will soon be getting an absolute feast from the 17 year old. He can pass, he can dribble, his positional awareness belies his age, he will track back, he will make those late runs into the box from deep, he can beat a man, and he knows when to utilise any part of his game to maximum effect. And to top it all, he has the confidence that Man Utd’s academy just seems to instil in its players. Frightening.
Of course Manchester United have plenty of players ahead of him in the pecking order, including a resurgent Jesse Lingard and almost-signed Jadon Sancho. But such is his ability that the obstacles won’t bother him, and no doubt he’ll get some more opportunities this season which he will surely take with both hands. To be quite honest, the thought of Sancho on one wing and Shoretire on the other should probably already be giving Premier League full backs some sleepless nights.
