The Rising Stars! – Three Young Talents Who Deserve More Playing Time
Football is known as the beautiful game for several reasons but more often than not, we end up overlooking some players despite them making worthy contributions. These youngsters work day in and day out to make a mark but their shine ends up getting dulled by bigger names arriving from bigger clubs.
It does seem unfair but this is something that has happened a lot of times in the Premier League. Most of the players have to endure their fair share of struggle before making it big but there have been times when the brightest young talents had to fizzle out due to lack of opportunities.
Some of these players switch clubs in hopes of making it to the other side one day, while others continue to make a strong impact while expecting very less in terms of recognition or accolades. Let’s take a look at three talented youngsters in the Premier League, who deserve more first-team chances.
Demarai Gray – Leicester City
The 21-year-old has been impressive for Leicester City ever since he arrived from Birmingham City as a mere teenager. Now, the player has almost a season and a half of Premier League experience, and a winner’s medal.
Watching him play is truly a treat since the youngster is full of pace and trickery. He can also prove to be dangerous when taking a strike from range, though he would have to improve his offensive skills going forward in the top flight.
The Foxes have endured a rocky start to the new season, and are currently 17th in the league table. However, Gray has proven to be one of their more solid young performers time and again. Gray has started only once for the Foxes and has appeared 9 times across all competitions this season. He has managed to score a goal but the youngster still has a long way to go – something he can work towards only if he receives more chances.
Reiss Nelson – Arsenal
Reiss Nelson was a name that graced the lips of a lot Arsenal fans and critics during the pre-season games. There were plenty of reasons to believe that Nelson could have broken into the first-team as a regular starter but that has not happened yet, despite the 17-year-old taking the opportunity in considerable strides.
An attacking player by trade, Nelson can play as one of the three strikers or even as an attacking midfielder. However, he was used as a wing-back for the club’s tour of Australia and China, and then at the Emirates Cup. So far, he’s made 4 appearances for Arsenal this season – in the Europa League, in EFL Cup, and a 3-minute cameo in Community Shield triumph. His versatility could definitely boost Arsenal’s squad and it remains to be seen if Wenger uses the player more.
Dominic Solanke – Liverpool
Dominic Solanke made a wonderful start to life at Liverpool ever since the striker joined from Chelsea. The youngster put up astonishingly professional displays when leading the line for England Under-20s, followed by a breakthrough pre-season with the Reds. The player’s red hot form may have seemed enough to hand him regular opportunities, but that has not been the case so far.
Touted to have one of the deadliest attack forces in the Premier League this season, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is likely to be looking at Solanke as a long-term project but surely the player deserves better opportunities after his blistering pre-season form. In fact, Solanke was the second-highest scorer for Liverpool during their pre-season, and was just one goal behind Mohamed Salah.