Hot Prospects: 13 English young players to watch in 2012

Who says there’s a dearth of English talent coming through at youth level? After disappointment for England’s youngsters at international level in 2011 here are 13 youngsters tipped for great things in 2012 and beyond courtesy of Aidan R, editor of England Football Blog. Remember the names…

Ravel Morrison

Club: Manchester United

The ‘ones to watch’ list has to start with the most prodigious natural talent that England has produced in many a year – Ravel Morrison. Suffocated by ‘do gooders’ on Twitter due to his personal problems, Morrison’s reputation on the pitch is what needs to be recognized (and ultimately appreciated). Exciting, dynamic, and every bit a modern footballing star in the making, Ravel Morrison was key to the Manchester United FA Youth Cup winning side of 2010/11.

Morrison has already played twice for the senior side this season, both occasions in the League Cup (once against Aldershot and again against Crystal Palace). Morrison will turn a sprightly 19 years of age in February. With United in the Europa League and a possible pre-season summer tour in the cards, Ravel Morrison is certainly a name to look for in 2012.

See here for more on Ravel Morrison.

Josh McEachran

Club: Chelsea

A bit of a soft addition in the 2012 list, but it must be remembered that Josh McEachran is still only 18 years old. He turns 19 in March. Calm and collected on the ball, McEachran’s vision is what makes him stand apart from his central midfield counterparts. Another FA Youth Cup Winner, in 2010, McEachran’s elevation to the Chelsea first team has seen him make several European and late Premier League appearances this term.

A loan move beckons in the New Year, and regular football will do him a world of good. McEachran needs consistent pitch time in order to catalyse his young career, because sitting on a bench and flirting with Reserves football isn’t going to get him where he deserves to go. Next issue – getting Stuart Pearce to realise his potential.

More on Josh McEachran here.

Jack Butland

Club: Birmingham City

Jack Butland will be a senior England international. Guaranteed. The 18 year old goalkeeper is already first choice at U21 level and recently completed a 3 month stint at League Two side Cheltenham Town where he made 13 appearances, most of them clean sheets. Athletic, keen, and towering in at a whopping 6 foot 4 inches tall, Birmingham City are weighing up a second loan move for the young shot stopper in 2012, but regardless of what happens, Boaz Myhill’s loan move ends in May and summer 2012 could be the start of young Jack Butland fighting for that top spot at St. Andrews.

Previously mentioned as a potential future England star here.

Gary Gardner

Club: Aston Villa

With McLeish suffering in the midfield, it is only a matter of time before Gardner truly breaks into the Villa first team setup. The 19 year old enjoyed a 28 day loan in the Championship with rock bottom Coventry City, scoring once in four appearances. Before that Gardner appeared on the Villa bench three times, all three as an unused substitute.

Gary, the younger brother of Craig, has always been touted as “better” than his older brother. By all accounts, both at academy and youth international level, he’s certainly well on his way. While the latter part of the season might see him restricted to a few minutes here and there, it will be the start of a something for the young playmaker.

Benik Afobe

Club: Arsenal

Already a popular figure at Ashburton Grove and Hale End, Benik Afobe is a name that has drifted off the radar since succumbing to injury during the Emirates Cup this past summer. Hot on the heels of his 8 goal season at Huddersfield, where he barely missed out on promotion to the Championship, Afobe had teed himself up for a strong start to the 2011/12 season.

He’s set to return in 2012, and whether that be for Arsenal or on loan in the Football League, Afobe’s goal scoring records speak for themselves: 4 in 3 at England U16 level (equaling Michael Owen’s record), 11 in 23 at U17 level, 4 in 4 at U19 level, and 40 in 33 at Arsenal U16 level, and 21 at U18 level the following year. Wenger, sign him up.

—-

Other names to keep an eye out for…

Devante Cole (Manchester City) – Son of Andrew Cole, the England U17 striker is starting to develop that predatory instinct in front of goal. Still very much a raw talent, if his progression continues, the 1995 born striker will be hot on the heels of his father in terms of a footballing career.

Jordi Hiwula (Manchester City) – Strike partner of Devante, Hiwula earned his first England call-up after a frenzied start to the season. His reign of terror in front of goal at U18 level also saw him promote to the City Reserve/EDS squad – where he also performed admirably.

William Keane (Manchester United) – A fan favourite for those who keenly follow youth football, William Keane has a touch of Sheringham about him. Quick feet, technically sound, and already an England U21 international, big things await.

Nathaniel Chalobah (Chelsea) – Already a household name at Cobham and on Fleet Street, Chalobah has consistently played above his age group throughout his young career. Look for him to start edging into the first team frame at Chelsea in 2012.

Wesley Foderingham (Crystal Palace) – A gifted goalkeeper who has played for England at youth level, Foderingham helped Swindon Town climb the League Two table after putting in some incredible shot-stopping performances for the Robins. Scheduled to go back to his parent club in January, Foderingham may have an uphill battle on his hands uprooting Speroni, but he’s a safe goalkeeping star in the making.

Rob Hall (West Ham United) – Hall blazed a trail at Oxford United on loan, scoring six games on the trot. After initially extending his loan with Oxford, Hammers boss Sam Allardyce opted to recall the 18 year old striker. May shift back out on loan in the New Year, but Hall has delivered enough to catch his manager’s eye – despite being so young.

Louis Laing (Sunderland) – With Martin O’Neill now in charge at the Stadium of Light, it’s only a matter of time before he unearths the central defensive talent that is Louis Laing. Laing made his mark in pre-season Sunderland, having made his professional debut as a late substitute in the last game of the 2010/11 season, and will surely be in the reckoning once O’Neill gets his usual homegrown policy in order.

Saido Berahino (West Bromwich Albion) – Up there with George Thorne as ones to watch from the Baggies, Berhaino is a little spark of a striker. Part of the England U20 World Cup side this past summer, he’s bagged a few for Northampton Town while on loan there, despite their tumultuous coaching fiasco. Just keep the name handy, even if it takes 1-2 years for him to fully blossom.

Which other young English players should we at Just Football keep an eye out for in 2012? Let us know by leaving a comment.

For more fantastic coverage of English football at all levels be sure to check out England Football Blog.

(photo credit: stevec77 on Flickr under Creative Commons license)

Arsenal, Aston Villa, Benik Afobe, Birmingham City, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Devante Cole, English Premier League, Gary Gardner, Jack Butland, Jordi Hiwula, Josh McEachran, Louis Laing, Manchester City, Manchester United, Nathaniel Chalobah, Ravel Morrison, Rob Hall, Saido Berahino, Sunderland, Wesley Foderingham, West Ham United, William Keane, Youth Football