The 2021/22 Premier League season is upon us, and several English league football enthusiasts already hyped up for what is come in the new term.
The big clubs have made some massive reinforcements in the summer transfer window, even the modest clubs have made huge statements of intent with their quality signings especially from foreign leagues. We are definitely set for yet another entertaining season.
Now, talking of the improved playing personnel across clubs in the league for the coming season, there are a few youngsters who are yet set to seize the scanty early opportunities and work their way into limelight this season.
In 2020/21, Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden saw their stars rise remarkably even amid competition from their older teammates with whom they share playing positions with. This season, a new set of stars will be born and we have, in this article, highlighted the top five prospects to look out for.
- Mipo Odubeko
Ireland-born 18-year-old striker Mipo Odubeko has been West Ham’s academy poster boy over the last couple of years. The promising center forward’s amateur football journey has been quite eventful. He actually started out at Manchester City before he decamped to the Red Devils in 2016, and now he represents the Hammers.
David Moyes will have a busier run of fixtures this season as the London side are set for a return to European football. Considering their current scanty forward options, the English manager may have to turn to young Odubeko to deliver in low-profile games like ones in the League Cup and even possibly in the Premier League.
Odubeko needed only nine appearances to bag 10 goals for the Hammers U-23 side in Premier League 2 last season. He’s yet to make his debut in the topflight – although he has seen game time for the first team in the FA Cup twice – but this season could be his time to shine.
- Anthony Elanga
19-year-old winger Elanga has been quite electric in pre-season for Manchester United and there’s every possibility that he could be given the nod to further showcase his talent in the season proper. He got his Premier League debut late last season in United’s 2-1 loss to Leicester, and barely two weeks after that, he got off the mark in the topflight – in what was only his second league appearance – in the final matchday win over Wolves.
Ole Solksjaer has Mason Greenwood, Anthony Martial, new signing Jadon Sancho among others all ahead of the Swedish youngster in the pecking order for wing duties this season. But with Amad Diallo set to leave on loan and Marcus Rashford sure to miss the start of the season following his shoulder surgery, Elanga will be looking to seize his opportunity to impress Solksjaer.
- Michael Olise
Fleet-footed Michael Olise was a big revelation in the Championship for Reading FC last season. The 19-year-old midfielder joined Crystal Palace last month for about £10 million, and he’s tasked with replicating that brilliance that brought him to limelight in the topflight this time.
The France-born teenage sensation could play on the wings or as an attacking midfielder, and it will be interesting to see how Palace manager Patrick Viera combines him with a similar midfielder in Ebere Eze – who incidentally shares the same roots (Nigerian) with Olise.
- Folarin Balogun
After several months of exit speculations here and there, 20-year-old Folarin Balogun has finally committed his long-term future to Arsenal, penning a four-year contract. He stole the show for the Gunners in the Europa League last season, bagging two goals after only five cameo appearances.
Center forward Balogun is yet to make his debut in the Premier League but we can be sure he will get his chance this season as manager Mikel Arteta looks determined to trust the youth more in their campaign this time.
- Shola Shoretire
It will definitely be tough in a Man United team that now boasts of tremendous firepower, but 17-year-old striker Shola Shoretire is one youngster who could beat the queue to shine for the Red Devils in the league this season.
Due to his undeniable talent and versatility, Shoretire has risen through the ranks at United rapidly and there could yet be no holding him back from first team success this season. Being only 16 years of age age as at the time, Shoretire impressively bagged 10 goals and provided six assists in 21 Premier League 2 games for United’s U-23s last season.
He already has two topflight Premier League appearances under his belt, and could be set for many more under Solksjaer who stated that ‘he’s a boy the club believes in’ after the youngster made his debut earlier this year.
Sure you as hyped for the unfolding of the new Premier League season as we are. Do well to earn rewards for your passion by betting on Premier League games and all other top European leagues on NetBet Nigeria.
