Premier League youngsters set to make a name for themselves: Garner, Palmer, Gordon...
- Planet Sport writer
- 22 February 2022
Whether they're out on loan or progressing through the academy, there's a handful of bright Premier League stars ready to make their mark next season.
With a new batch of youngsters coming through, Planet Sport takes a look at seven players on the verge of a breakthrough.
Cole Palmer (Manchester City)
Manchester City boasts a great academy system that has produced some amazing talent over the last decade, with the likes of Phil Foden, Jadon Sancho and Kasper Schmeichel coming through the ranks.
In the latest wave of recruits, Cole Palmer is one of the shining lights that is sure to make an impact on this team in the next few seasons.
The Wythenshawe-born winger has enjoyed some brief experience with the first team, scoring three goals and assisting a further one so far. The 19-year-old's standout moment so far came against Club Brugge when his goal contributed to a 5-1 victory in the Champions League.
Palmer is a fast and tricky midfielder who prides himself on his ability to both create and score goals. He's recorded five goals and three assists in six games this season in the Premier League 2.
Now on the fringe of reaching the first team, Palmer's gametime will only increase.
Liam Delap (Manchester City)
We cannot mention Cole Palmer without acknowledging the son of former long-throw specialist Rory Delap. Liam Delap enjoyed a stellar Under-23's campaign last year which has not gone unnoticed by Pep Guardiola.
He scored 24 goals and five assists in just 20 games last season for the development squad.
He has already played six times for the first team in two seasons and scored in the League Cup last season against Bournemouth in the third round. His killer instinct in front of goal is one reason he is highly regarded by Guardiola.
City lack an out and out striker in their ranks, rotating Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus in the striker role. However, in the coming years, Delap could become the well-needed replacement to Sergio Aguero that Manchester City need.
Oliver Skipp (Tottenham Hotspur)
Skipp has established himself in the Spurs dressing room this season. He was given his debut by Mauricio Pochettino in 2018-19 and has quickly become a starter for Tottenham despite an injury setback that forced him out of most of the 2019/20 season.
After a phenomenal loan spell with Norwich in 2020/21, which saw him play 45 games for the Canaries, Skipp saw his opportunity for more regular first-team football under Nuno Espirito Santo and now Conte.
Skipp quickly impressed the Italian and has justified his spot in the team sheet with a 90% pass completion rate in 18 games so far this season.
His style of play bares similarities to that of Eric Dier, with Skipp thriving defensively rather than venturing forward. With Spurs needing to improve their defence under Conte, Skipp has played a large part in doing just that.
James Garner (Manchester United/Nottingham Forest)
Manchester United have an impressive roster of midfielders in their first team, with the likes of Paul Pogba, Bruno Fernandes and Scott McTominay in the centre of the park.
Given their midfield depth, it's hardly a surprise that Garner struggled to stamp his authority in the first team.
Instead, Garner went out on loan in order to improve his chances of starting, with the 20-year-old heading to Nottingham Forest and Watford in the past two years.
Now with 52 games under his belt since August 2020, Garner is starting to show glimpses of his talent, and averaged a goal every five games for Forest last season.
With the Red Devils set to lose Paul Pogba next summer, Garner could find himself in demand at Old Trafford next season, and his work rate and creativity could help to fill the void left by the Frenchman.
Kaide Gordon (Liverpool)
A dead ball specialist. The former Derby County academy player of the year is set to become the next best thing from Melwood.
Kaide Gordon is a player that has just started his journey into professional football but at 17 years of age, he has already experienced what it is like to step out onto Anfield and play for Liverpool.
Gordon started out at Derby County, where he only made one appearance for the first team before the Premier league came calling.
He was bought for £1million and could see the fee rise to £3million if conditions are met.
As a versatile forward, Gordon's availabilty could help Jurgen Klopp rotate his front line. As the Reds continue to challenge for four trophies each season, Gordon could find his game time ramp up.
He has already become Liverpool's second youngest player ever behind Harvey Elliot, and his goal in Liverpool's 3-0 win against Shrewsbury Town made him the club's youngest-ever scorer in the FA Cup.
Thierry Small (Everton/Southampton)
On the opposite side of Stanley Park there is another starlet in the early stages of his career. Thierry Small's risen through the ranks of Everton's academy and is looking on the brink of a first team breakthrough.
It is a position that Everton have recently filled with the signing of Vitaly Mykolenko, but in the coming years Small could well challenge for the starting spot.
A loan move to Southampton has helped his chances, with Small playing 10 matches for the Saints' U23's, scoring two goals in the process.
As an attacking full-back, Thierry Small could fit nicely into Frank Lampard's system, as the former Chelsea man tries to reinstill an attacking mindset at Goodison Park.
He became Everton's youngest ever player when he played briefly against Sheffield Wednesday in the fourth round of the FA Cup last year and is viewed as a great long-term prospect for the Merseyside club.
Folarin Balogun (Arsenal/Middlesbrough)
Despite limited playing time at Arsenal, Balogun has made a name for himself in the academy and earned himself a loan move to Middlesbrough for first team experience.
He has already been involved in European football having played two matches in the Europa League against Dundalk and Molde, scoring against the latter.
The 20-year-old has played seven games so far in Teeside and already is averaging 0.33 goal contributions a game, despite only starting two games so far.
