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Four young Premier League stars ready to shine
LONDON, Aug 7, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – With the new Premier League season kicking
off on Friday, AFP Sport takes a closer look at four gifted youngsters who
are ready to emerge as breakout stars over the next 10 months:
Tammy Abraham
Despite helping Chelsea win numerous honours at youth level, academy
graduate Abraham has only appeared three times for the first team, having
spent the past three seasons out on loan with Bristol City, Swansea and Aston
Villa.
However, the 21-year-old will compete with French veteran Olivier Giroud
and Belgian Michy Batshuayi to lead the Chelsea attack this term and, in a
boost to Abraham’s hopes of featuring prominently, he has been given the
number nine shirt by new boss Frank Lampard.
Former Derby manager Lampard knows what he has on his hands in Abraham
after the England striker netted twice for Villa against the Rams last
season.
“I’ve got a manager here who believes in the young lads and will give you
your chance if you work hard in training. That’s all I needed to hear,” said
Abraham, who scored 26 goals during Villa’s promotion-winning Championship
campaign. Phil Foden
Foden’s status as the jewel of England’s 2017 Under-17 World Cup-winning
team is in danger of being tarnished by his lack of game time at Manchester
City.
Foden started just three Premier League games for the treble winners in
2018/19 and 11 in all competitions.
David Silva, Ilkay Gundogan, Fernandinho, Kevin De Bruyne and new club-
record signing Rodri all block Foden’s path to more action this term.
But City manager Pep Guardiola continues to lavish enough praise on the 19-
year-old midfielder to suggest he will eventually get his chance.
“I have said many times in press conferences, but maybe not said it in
front of him, Phil is the most talented player I have ever seen in my career
as a manager,” Guardiola said.
“His only problem is sometimes his manager doesn’t put him in the starting
eleven. Hopefully in the future that can improve.” Reiss Nelson
After an impressive spell on loan with Bundesliga side Hoffenheim last
season, Arsenal’s England Under-21 winger Nelson could be ready to make a
splash at the Emirates Stadium.
The 19-year-old heads a promising group of young talents emerging from
Arsenal’s academy that also includes midfielder Joe Willock and forward Eddie
Nketiah.
Coming on as an early substitute in the Emirates Cup pre-season friendly
against Lyon in July, Nelson provided an injection of pace and trickery on
the wings and was at the heart of almost every Arsenal attack.
Nelson remains a work in progress, but is confident of imposing himself
this term and said fans would be “shocked” to see his progress.
“Arsene Wenger gave me my first Premier League start (at 18) and I was very
immature,” he said. “Now I have a more mature role about me.”
Troy Parrott
Parrott is a 17-year-old Irish striker tipped for the top after impressing
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino during pre-season.
Pochettino held Parrott back from joining up with Ireland Under-19s for the
European Championship in order to fast-track his development during their
Asian tour.
Parrott, who started up front against Juventus and Manchester United in
pre-season, has scored 20 goals in 30 games at youth level and the Dubliner
is versatile enough to also play wide or in the number 10 role.
“If we have the squad that we have today, of course he’s going to have the
possibility to be with the first team,” Pochettino said of a player who could
benefit if Tottenham’s star striker Harry Kane is beset by more ankle
problems.
Parrott featured in several first-team squads in the second half of last
season but is yet to make his debut.
BSS/AFP/GMR/0856 hrs