While the media concentrates on the antics of Crouch, Terry et al, some potential stars of the future are quietly going about their business, trying to build a career in the Premier League. It is often easy to ignore the newcomers who don’t score an amazing goal on their début like Rooney, but here are my ones to watch.
Charlie Adam – Blackpool
24-year-old Adam cost Blackpool a club record £500,000 on 4th August 2009 when they completed his transfer from Rangers following a loan spell. He had been at Rangers since 2003, enjoying loan spells at Ross County and St. Mirren in 2004/05 and 2005/06 respectively.
In his 18 months at Blackpool – six months as a loanee - he has become club captain and a fan favourite, as well as a regular in the Scottish national team. His stats alone prove how integral he is to the Premier League side, scoring 19 goals from 59 appearances in midfield; while he also scored a free-kick in the Championship play-off final that got the team promoted.
During Blackpool’s four top flight games he has scored one goal and looks the one player capable of taking the team away from the relegation zone. There have also been rumours that he has been watched by the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool.
Jack Wilshere – Arsenal
Wilshere has regularly been talked about as a star of the future since Arsene Wenger brought him to the club from Luton in 2001. This appears to be the season he may break the foreign stranglehold on Arsenal’s midfield.
A regular in the England under-21 squad he had his first appearance for the senior team in their friendly against Hungary last month, although he only played seven minutes as a late substitute. Keen to increase his strength and football knowledge, Wenger sent him on loan to Bolton in January. This seems to have worked well as the player looks comfortable amongst experienced Arsenal players like Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri and Alex Song.
Although he stands at a diminutive 5′ 7″, he likes to tackle and seems able to stand up to the physical rigours of the Premier League. He showed his skill and quick feet again in Arsenal’s Champions League match against Braga, where he was involved in three of Arsenal’s six goals.
Stuart Holden – Bolton Wanderers
Stuart was born in Scotland the Holden family moved to the United States when he was ten and he has been a US citizen since 2006.
After the end of the Major League Soccer season in 2009 he spent several weeks training in England, where he caught the eye of Bolton manager Owen Coyle.
Holden has been a regular for his national team since under-20 level and is known for being a two-footed midfielder, skilled at free-kicks and delivering crosses. This season he has played six games for Bolton although he hasn’t scored yet.
Daniel Sturridge – Chelsea
After starting his early professional career at Manchester City, Sturridge has been at Chelsea since 2009. So far he looks to be progressing well having been the Blues’ leading FA Cup scorer last season with four goals in a trophy which they went on to win. He also scored on his Champions League début against MŠK Žilina in a 4-1 win.
With Carlo Ancelotti talking about rotating his squad in their quest for four trophies, it looks as if he will get more chances to add to his tally. He is one of only five English forwards to play in the Champions League this season.
He has played for every England team from under-16 to under-21 level, scoring 3 goals in 26 appearances.
Andy Carroll – Newcastle United
Carroll is an old-school number nine whose goals helped Newcastle make a swift return to the Premier League, after relegation in the 2009-2010 season.
He has played regularly for the under–19 and under-21 national teams, but as yet has not had the call to the seniors. He already has a fan club that includes Italian goalkeeping legend Gianluigi Buffon and his idol Alan Shearer.
Making the step up is obviously something that is on Carroll’s mind and he is also eligible to play for Scotland through his grandmother. He may decide to head north of the border if he feels he has more chance of playing for them.
Unfortunately Carroll’s career has been marred by rumours of violence and controversy, although he appears to have settled down in the last few months. It looks as if he has chanelled his energy and exuberance into his skills on the pitch.
Tags: Andy Carroll, Charlie Adam, Daniel Sturridge, Jack Wilshere, Stuart Holden