Five Premier League breakthrough stars
Promising footballers find it difficult to break into the First team. These days clubs spend millions on imported talent. However, Premier League clubs have major talent in their academies, and 2018 could be a breakthrough year for some.
Here are five that are likely to breakthrough in 2018
Marcus Edwards, 19, Tottenham Hotspur
Edwards has been touted as the ‘Next Big Star’ at Tottenham, and his manager Mauricio Pochettino highly rates him, likening him to Lionel Messi.
Last season was supposed to be the big year for the Tottenham youngster. The academy product is struggling to make an impact on the first team. Pochettino is known for mentoring academy players. With the likes of Harry Winks and Harry Kane becoming top-class players for Spurs.
If 19-year-old Edwards wants to make the next step in his career, he needs to progress and break into the squad. That said, current superstar Harry Kane took longer to fire his way into the first team, spending much of his early career on loan.
Sam Field, 19, West Brom Albion
The emergence of academy product Sam Field, has pleased West Brom fans after a tough start to the season. Albion’s last victory came in August, but Field has been credited as one of the best passers at West Brom, drawing comparisons to Michael Carrick.
He was thrown in the deep end by former manager Tony Pulis who had a lack of midfield options. Even though Pulis was dismissed earlier. Field is now looking to keep his place under new boss Alan Pardew.
Scott McTominay, 21, Manchester United
Midfielder McTominay will find it difficult to get into the Manchester United two-man midfield of Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic. Despite being lower in the ranks, Jose Mourinho gave McTominay his first team debut in December against Bournemouth. He’s been more involved since. The 21-year-old will be hoping Mourinho will hand him more starts this year.
Eddie Nketiah, 18, Arsenal
Striker Eddie Nketiah made his debut for the Gunners in the Carabao Cup, coming off the bench to net a brace, sending Arsenal through in the dying minutes. Since his excellent introduction at Emirates, Nketiah now has a new long-term contract with the Gunners. First impressions last.
The striker was also involved in Arsenal’s embarrassing FA Cup defeat against Championship side Nottingham Forest. He came on in the last five minutes to have his shot superbly saved by Smith. Nketiah hopes his performances will warrant him a place in the first eleven.
George Thomas, 20, Leicester City
If you ask Coventry fans, do you know George Thomas? Many remember his heroics last season. He scored the winning goal for Coventry in the EFL trophy against Oxford United at Wembley back in April. Thomas impressed many supporters at the Ricoh Arena and it wasn’t long before he progressed to the Premier League.
When Leicester City signed the young midfielder for £500,000 last summer, he went straight into the under 23s. The plan for the 19-year-old was to loan him out in January, but after impressing in Under 23s, Claude Puel may be considering him first eleven material.
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