The big Premier League sides are finally joining the fray in the EFL Cup this week.
The best thing about the big sides playing in the EFL Cup is that so many of them view the early stages of the competition as a nuisance rather than a serious contest. Why is this good? Well, it means that instead of trotting out the same old stars who will put in a half-interested performance, we may get to see some seriously motivated young talent.
Of course, that’s not always the case. Maurizio Sarri’s comments about there being “a chance for everyone, but not for 25 or 28 players,” as well as the fact that they didn’t play in the Europa League vs. PAOK means that the likes of Ethan Ampadu and Callum Hudson-Odoi are unlikely to feature in their blockbuster showdown with Liverpool.
But there are still plenty of impressive youngsters to enjoy during the coming round of cup games. We’ve even come up with a list of 11 that are worth your time (with a limit of one player per club):
Mason Mount
Midfielder, Derby, 19 years old
Mason Mount plays like a young Frank Lampard, now playing under the actual Frank Lampard and he will take the field against the manager who made Frank Lampard into a world-class player. That’s a whole load of narrative to pack into one match and alone would make Mount a must-watch, but watching him try and negotiate the bruising tactics of Mourinho’s midfield and exploit their lack of tracking back (much as others have done this season) to score goals – he has three so far this season – should be superb.
Diogo Dalot
Full-back, Manchester United, 19 years old
It’s not often that José Mourinho gives youngsters proper minutes, but Diogo Dalot looks like the kind of youngster that Mourinho does trust. The Portuguese is a powerful full-back who excelled on his debut against Young Boys, and whilst Antonio Valencia will remain the no. 1 choice for now, if Dalot can replicate his debut against Derby he could begin to apply pressure to the underperforming Ecuadorian.
Emile Smith-Rowe
Midfielder, Arsenal, 18 years old
Arsenal have more promising youngsters than you can shake a stick at, but the pick of the litter (now Reiss Nelson has left the club) is Emile Smith-Rowe. The Englishman is a very promising young attacking midfielder whose drive and desire should illuminate Arsenal’s pre-season rematch with Brentford. Look for him to carry the ball forward!
Neal Maupay
Striker, Brentford, 22 years old
Brentford have a whole host of quality young players but none of them stand out as much as Frenchman Neal Maupay. He was signed from St. Etienne a season ago and after a good debut season, he has exploded to life thus far. He has eight goals in seven games so far this season and will look to feast on a rickety Arsenal defence.
Phil Foden
Midfielder, Manchester City, 18 years old
19-year-old Aro Muric is going to take advantage of Claudio Bravo’s injury to debut in goal, and he’s definitely one to keep an eye on, but Foden has to be the focus here. Pep Guardiola’s great hope for the Manchester City academy, this young Englishman is a true marvel with the ball at his feet. Slight of frame but fleet of foot, Foden understands how to play Pep Guardiola football. He’s already put in a great display this season; in Community Shield where he set up the opening goal of the day for Sergio Aguero. He knows the EFL Cup is the best chance for him to get consistent minutes this season and will be determined to strut his stuff as one of Guardiola’s “free 8’s.”
Dwight McNeil
Winger, Burnley, 18 years old
One wouldn’t associate Burnley with youth development, but Dwight McNeil shows that Sean Dyche is willing to bring the youngsters through. This hard-working winger shone in Burnley’s truncated Europa League campaign and even impressed on his Premier League debut against Manchester United – he will hope to draw further attention to himself in the EFL Cup.
Domingos Quina
Midfielder, Watford, 18 years old
Domingos Quina came to England with Chelsea’s youth team but then joined West Ham, and is now playing for Watford. He made his debut for Javi Gracia’s side in the last round of the tournament, scoring a stunning goal to make it 2-0 and seal the win. He will hope to replicate that level of success in the second round, and you’d be a fool to not tune in and see if he does!
Ruben Vinagre
Full-back, Wolves, 19 years old
Sporting and Monaco are two of the finest hit factories in all of football, so if a player emerges from not one but both of those academies then you have to take him seriously as a player. Vinagre is a really exciting young full-back, unafraid of getting stuck in and winning the ball back. He’s truly at his best when running with the ball and creating things and should slot into Wolves’ wing-back slot quite nicely.
Hamza Choudhury
Midfielder, Leicester, 20 years old
The most spectacular silhouette in the game right now, Hamza Choudhury could well be the first British-Asian to really make the breakthrough into the top level of football. That alone makes him a must-watch, but the fact that he’s actually a talented midfielder with an eye for a killer pass means you’ve got to tune in and check him out!
Angus Gunn
Goalkeeper, Southampton, 22 years old
Angus Gunn is an enormous prospect in terms of ability as well as physical size. Standing at 6’5, he fits the profile of an English goalkeeper. He was schooled at Manchester City’s academy but broke through on loan to hometown Norwich. Now he’s at Southampton and looking to take the starting role as Fraser Forster’s decline has surely left it up for grabs?
Ademola Lookman
Forward, Everton, 20 years old
Ademola Lookman is fast developing into a true enigma. His debut against Manchester City in January 2017 was spectacular, he’s helped England win the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup, but he has struggled for Everton in general. A loan to RB Leipzig brought much success, but now he’s back on the bench at Goodison. The EFL Cup should prove a perfect chance for Lookman to get some minutes and show English football just what he can do with his combination of pace, trickery and goalscoring.
The post 11 wonderkids we’re looking forward to watching in the EFL Cup appeared first on Squawka News.
From Squawka NewsSquawka News https://ift.tt/2DtUrqG
No comments:
Post a Comment