adminLONDON. — We know about the big-money summer signings looking to take the Premier League by storm this season, but who are some of the youngsters hoping this is their big season?
Here are 10 we think could be worth following, from those hoping to make a breakthrough to others who could have a huge impact.
l Charlie Patino (Arsenal midfielder)
The much-hyped Patino, who cost Arsenal £10,000 from Luton when he was 11, will be hoping for a big season.
The 18-year-old scored only 10 minutes into his debut last season, in a 5-1 Carabao Cup win over Sunderland, and also started their FA Cup defeat by Nottingham Forest.
Fans chanted his name as he came on after 80 minutes in that Sunderland game with boss Mikel Arteta saying “I see that (building hype), I saw it around the club”.
l Jacob Ramsey (Aston Villa midfielder)
Ramsey has already had his breakthrough season — with six goals in 35 games for Villa last term but this could be the season he becomes a star.
There have even been suggestions the 21-year-old could make England’s World Cup squad.
In February his Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard, a legendary midfielder in his playing days, said: “He will be a terrific player. It won’t be long before the whole country is watching him. He is right up there.”
l Evan Ferguson (Brighton forward)
Ferguson could be in for a big season at Brighton despite only being 17.
The Republic of Ireland Under-21 striker made four appearances for the Seagulls last season — but that was not his first taste of first-team action.
Remarkably, he made his League of Ireland debut for Bohemians when he was only 14 — having also faced Chelsea in a friendly at the same age.
l Levi Colwill (Chelsea defender)
Ask any Huddersfield fan for their thoughts on Chelsea defender Levi Colwill and, having watched him all last season during a successful loan spell, they will say he is an England captain in the making.
The talented 19-year-old was a big reason why the Championship pre-season relegation favourites ended up finishing third and reaching the play-off final. Calm and assured on the ball with a maturity beyond his years, Chelsea have high hopes for Colwill, who has been described as the next John Terry.
l Anthony Gordon (Everton forward)
Gordon was one of Everton’s few positives to come from a disappointing season where they narrowly avoided relegation to the EFL.
The England Under-21 international started 19 of the 21 games after Frank Lampard took over and was named Everton’s players’ player of the year.
His winner against Manchester United in April went a long way to helping them stay up.
Joe Gelhardt (Leeds forward)
One of the few positives from Leeds’ near-disastrous second season back in the Premier League was the impressive cameo performances of young forward Joe Gelhardt, who contributed two goals and four assists in just 732 minutes.
These contributions included his run to win a penalty in the home game with Wolves, his timely header and close-range finish against Norwich and the skill to leave Brighton’s Lewis Dunk flailing on the Elland Road turf before his cross for a Pascal Struijk headed equaliser.
All of these helped salvage points, without which the Whites would almost certainly be back in the Championship.
l OTHERS
◆ Harvey Elliott (Liverpool midfielder)
◆ Cole Palmer (Manchester City forward)
◆ Anthony Elanga (Manchester United forward)
◆ Brennan Johnson (Nottingham Forest forward) — BBC Sport.
Online Reporter