Syrette Posted November 13, 2008 Share Posted November 13, 2008 http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2008/nov/13/1 Guardian writers pick their best 20 players in England who are 18 or under. Jose Baxter 16 Everton Striker Said to be better than Wayne Rooney at 14. Bootle-born, he left school last summer and joined the Everton first-team squad that toured Switzerland and the US. Made his competitive senior debut with a substitute appearance at home to Blackburn in August, becoming Everton's youngest first-team player. Mark Beevers 18 Sheffield Wednesday Defender Last season's supporters' player of the year at Hillsborough, the centre-half has signed a contract to keep him at Wednesday until 2012. He stands 6ft 4in tall, is deceptively quick across the turf and strong in the air, and has already attracted interest from Premier League clubs. John Bostock 16 Tottenham Hotspur Midfielder Crystal Palace's youngest player when he made his debut at 15 years 287 days last season before his controversial summer move to Spurs for an initial £700,000. Tall, elegant and visionary, the attacking midfielder became Tottenham's youngest player, at 16 years 295 days, against Dinamo Zagreb. Nathan Delfouneso 17 Aston Villa Striker The 6ft 1in Birmingham-born striker made his first-team debut earlier this season in the Uefa Cup against Hafnarfjorour and scored a hat-trick on his first appearance for the England Under-17s in October 2007. A regular in reserve and academy sides, for whom he has been a prolific scorer. Fabian Delph 18 Leeds United Midfielder Ken Bates laughed off Newcastle United's £1m bid for a dynamic talent currently not only making his mark in League One but who has just broken into Stuart Pearce's England Under-21 squad. Arsenal and Manchester United are also seriously interested, but his value has risen closer to £6m. Daniel Drinkwater 18 Manchester United Midfielder Two-footed and boasting a fine passing range, Drinkwater has been with the club since he was nine. The young Mancunian's progress was hindered by injury last year, but he remains highly regarded and is an England Under-19 international who looks likely to grace the Premier League. Jordan Henderson 18 Sunderland Midfielder An elusive right-sided midfielder or deep-lying forward, and equally happy in the hole or drifting wide right, the Wearside-born Henderson caught the eye of England's leading clubs during Sunderland's run to the FA Youth Cup semi-finals last season. He made his first senior start against Blackburn last night. Gavin Hoyte 18 Arsenal Defender Younger brother of the former Arsenal full-back, Justin, the defender joined the club at nine and has proved quick, athletic and astute both at right-back and centre-half. A regular with the England Under-19s and in Arsène Wenger's Carling Cup side that enjoyed wins over Sheffield United and Wigan. Henri Lansbury 18 Arsenal Midfielder Strongly built and powerful yet creative on the ball and a goal threat, the England Under-17 midfielder has been at Arsenal since he was nine and has recovered from the glandular fever that frustrated his progress in the second half of last season to feature in the Carling Cup this term. Josh McEachran 15 Chelsea Midfielder A skilful left-footed midfielder whom Chelsea have retained despite persistent interest from Manchester United. He can play on the left or right and has already impressed Luiz Felipe Scolari at Stamford Bridge as he furthers his development in the youth sides. Has been captain of the England Under-16s. Jacob Mellis 17 Chelsea Midfielder The England Under-19 international signed from Sheffield United in the summer of 2007 and has since been employed everywhere from attacking midfield - scoring twice against Liverpool reserves recently - to full-back and centre-half within the Chelsea academy set-up. Victor Moses 17 Crystal Palace Forward Born in Nigeria but resident in the UK since he was five, the graduate of Palace's academy broke into the first-team last season and has since signed a four-year professional contract at Selhurst Park. Strong, skilful and quick, he has maintained his progress this term. Nile Ranger 17 Newcastle United Striker The word among Newcastle United's youth and reserve ranks is "Ranger is the danger". The prolific striker, spirited north from Southampton's youth set-up, has sat on the first team bench a few times already this season and is tipped for Shearer-esque scoring feats. Jack Rodwell 17 Everton Central defender/midfielder Senior debut came as a substitute against Alkmaar at the age of 16 years 284 days, making him the youngest ever Everton player to appear in Europe. A current Under-19 international often compared to Rio Ferdinand, he is strong, quick and assured. Has made eight first-team appearances this season. Freddie Sears 18 West Ham United Forward A run of 25 goals in 24 matches for the youths and reserves forced him into the first-team set-up last season, and it took the striker just five minutes and 16 seconds to score his first senior goal, the winner against Blackburn in March. He has featured regularly this term under Gianfranco Zola. Jonjo Shelvey 16 Charlton Athletic Midfielder The club's youngest player, debuting at 16 years 59 days against Barnsley in April, he had made his mark as a goalscoring midfielder in the youth and reserves set-up at the Valley. He captained the England Under-16s in their 2007 Victory Shield campaign, scoring three goals in as many games. Danny Welbeck 17 Manchester United Striker Skilful, strong and pacy with a prolific scoring record for the United junior sides. Sir Alex Ferguson likens the slightly unorthodox Welbeck to Portsmouth's Nwankwo Kanu and has said "Danny has marvellous things about him." An Under-19 international who has trained with the first team. Aidan White 17 Leeds United Defender The full-back, who boasts a fine left foot and decent pace, made his debut earlier this season in the Carling Cup defeat of Crystal Palace and was given a standing ovation upon being substituted. He is now making regular appearances in the League One club's first-team set-up. Jack Wilshere 16 Arsenal Midfielder Eye-catching performances in the Carling Cup this season and Arsenal's youngest league debutant, at 16 years 256 days, when he came on against Blackburn in September. He scored his first senior goal in the 6-0 rout of Sheffield United and had a fine game against Wigan on Tuesday. Michael Woods 18 Chelsea Midfielder Plucked from Leeds United's academy, much to the Yorkshire club's frustration, the England Under-18 international made his first-team debut at Chelsea in January 2007 at 16 years 275 days. Scolari called the defensive midfielder up for last night's Carling Cup tie against Burnley at Stamford Bridge. He was always going to get a mention in something like this wasn't he? Go go Nile Ranger! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willow Posted November 13, 2008 Share Posted November 13, 2008 WE'RE ALL IN DANGA OF DA RANGA! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Nufc4Life Posted November 13, 2008 Share Posted November 13, 2008 ''Ranger Is The Danger'' :lol: Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnypd Posted November 13, 2008 Share Posted November 13, 2008 only seen him a couple of times but jack wilshere is ridiculously good, best player on the pitch in the wigan game Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
themanupstairs Posted November 13, 2008 Share Posted November 13, 2008 3 threads on Nile Ranger??? Not enough imho Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shak Posted November 13, 2008 Share Posted November 13, 2008 Shearer-esque scoring feats. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elephant Posted November 13, 2008 Share Posted November 13, 2008 Saw Jonjo Shelvey (Charlton) last season and I was really impressed. I never knew he was only 16 and by the way he played, it never looked that way. Real talent. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ash Posted November 13, 2008 Share Posted November 13, 2008 We should really try and sign Mark Beevers from Sheffield Wednesday. He's got a big future ahead of him in my opinion. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sportnet Posted November 13, 2008 Share Posted November 13, 2008 wheres the Spear guy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colos Short and Curlies Posted November 13, 2008 Share Posted November 13, 2008 wheres the Spear guy He's been Rangered Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ikri Posted November 13, 2008 Share Posted November 13, 2008 It's ironic that Chelsea have a few decent youngsters in their squad knowing that there's almost zero chance of them ever progressing at the club. Just have to look at Michael Mancienne to see Chelsea's youth policy, capped at under 16, 17 19 & 21 levels he's played over 60 games on loan at QPR & Wolves but can't get near the Chelsea 1st team. He should be the type of player that Chelsea are bringing through & showing off to the world as proof that they want to develop talent, not just buy it. Somehow I can't see it happening for him or the others mentioned in the article. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted November 13, 2008 Share Posted November 13, 2008 ''Ranger Is The Danger'' :lol: Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Heneage Posted November 13, 2008 Share Posted November 13, 2008 It's ironic that Chelsea have a few decent youngsters in their squad knowing that there's almost zero chance of them ever progressing at the club. Just have to look at Michael Mancienne to see Chelsea's youth policy, capped at under 16, 17 19 & 21 levels he's played over 60 games on loan at QPR & Wolves but can't get near the Chelsea 1st team. He should be the type of player that Chelsea are bringing through & showing off to the world as proof that they want to develop talent, not just buy it. Somehow I can't see it happening for him or the others mentioned in the article. Kenyon wants them to be self sufficient like an Arsenal or a Hoffenheim, but it will never work. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Geordiecunny Posted November 13, 2008 Share Posted November 13, 2008 I remember chopra being on a similar list a few years ago.... I hope thats where the parallel ends. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest sicko2ndbest Posted November 13, 2008 Share Posted November 13, 2008 Zele Ismail (15) Wolves is supposed to be the next big thing Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Segun Oluwaniyi Posted November 13, 2008 Share Posted November 13, 2008 It's ironic that Chelsea have a few decent youngsters in their squad knowing that there's almost zero chance of them ever progressing at the club. Just have to look at Michael Mancienne to see Chelsea's youth policy, capped at under 16, 17 19 & 21 levels he's played over 60 games on loan at QPR & Wolves but can't get near the Chelsea 1st team. He should be the type of player that Chelsea are bringing through & showing off to the world as proof that they want to develop talent, not just buy it. Somehow I can't see it happening for him or the others mentioned in the article. Kenyon wants them to be self sufficient like an Arsenal or a Hoffenheim, but it will never work. I was under the impression that Hoffenheim were achieving success on the back of a sugar daddy just like Chelsea is. Anyway, I'm going to be honest and say that I just think Chelsea don't have many great youth players. The likes of Mancienne, and Sinclair are good but will never be Chelsea standard. I think Kakuta has a chance though. To be fair to Chelsea though, I mean Mikel and Di Santo were nobodies when they signed, but they both are part of the first team now. edit.....What about Reuben Noble-Lazarus, youngest player ever in the Football League?....I assume he's supposed to be good. Plays for Barnsley. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Syrette Posted November 13, 2008 Share Posted November 13, 2008 To be fair to Chelsea though, I mean Mikel and Di Santo were nobodies when they signed, but they both are part of the first team now. ? I and no doubt plenty of other football fans knew about Mikel months before he ever touched a ball for Chelsea because of the whole Man Utd thing. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Segun Oluwaniyi Posted November 13, 2008 Share Posted November 13, 2008 To be fair to Chelsea though, I mean Mikel and Di Santo were nobodies when they signed, but they both are part of the first team now. ? I and no doubt plenty of other football fans knew about Mikel months before he ever touched a ball for Chelsea because of the whole Man Utd thing. You conviently forget that Chelsea went in Arsenal style on this one. They paid his way to a club in some far off country, even paid for his residence and education. This is all very illegal, but it has become common place among bigger clubs. So clearly they had known him long before the likes of you and me. Chelsea has been very active in this sort of thing, but Mikel is the only one to break the first team thus far. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GG Posted November 13, 2008 Share Posted November 13, 2008 Zele Ismail (15) Wolves is supposed to be the next big thing Younger than me. Now that's scary. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liam Liam Liam O Posted November 13, 2008 Share Posted November 13, 2008 http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/sports_talk/2641739.stm Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Segun Oluwaniyi Posted November 13, 2008 Share Posted November 13, 2008 http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/sports_talk/2641739.stm British football should be ashamed by this. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ash Posted November 13, 2008 Share Posted November 13, 2008 http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/sports_talk/2641739.stm Michael Dawson. mackems.gif mackems.gif mackems.gif Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wullie Posted November 13, 2008 Share Posted November 13, 2008 Anyone remember how good Ritchie Humphreys was at Sheff Wed? Pools legend though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Sam Posted November 13, 2008 Share Posted November 13, 2008 Newcastle has a couple of outstanding young players in Michael Chopra and Richard Offiong Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liam Liam Liam O Posted November 13, 2008 Share Posted November 13, 2008 Taking this on a bit..................... Who do you think won't make it who's been tipped to? Micah Richards won't be anywhere near the player he's tipped to be. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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