Football fever is sweeping Afghanistan now that an exciting partnership between Afghan Wireless and Ariana Television Network has brought live broadcasts of English Premier League matches, as well as a host of other football-related features, to sports enthusiasts across the country. Afghan football fans now have more opportunities and options than ever before to cheer on their favorite teams and follow the progress of exciting young players.
So far, the 2016-2017 English Premier League (EPL) season is shaping up to be an especially promising one for the league’s young talent. Here are 10 players in particular, all of whom are 23 and younger, who are ready to make their mark on the league in 2017. EPL fans will definitely want to keep an eye on these young stars over the next few months.
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Josh Onomah: Tottenham midfielder
Trained at the Spurs Academy (Tottenham’s development program for talented young players), Josh Onomah, 19, only made appearances as a substitute in the last Premier League season, but he has been seeing a lot more action as part of the first team this year. More domestic game time could give Onomah the opportunity to prove himself as a valuable centerpiece for the club.
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Harrison Reed: Southampton midfielder
Central midfielder Harrison Reed, 21, is ready to prove himself after a disappointing season, which featured just one Premier League appearance and a temporary, unsuccessful loan to Glasgow’s Rangers Football Club. Back with Southampton for this year’s pre-season, Reed saw more game time, which could be a good indication of manager Claude Puel’s intention to focus on developing young players.
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Ben Gibson: Middlesbrough defender
Due to Gibson’s solid performance last season, the team was promoted back into the Premier League after a seven-year exile. Ben Gibson, 23, was a key part of that victory and appears poised to build a long-term legacy with Middlesbrough as the club moves forward. Experts also foresee Gibson as a likely pick to be called up to play for England in future international championships.
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Nathaniel Chalobah: Chelsea midfielder
Although he has been on frequent loan rotation in recent years, Nathaniel Chalobah, 21, has delivered an exciting performance for Chelsea in this year’s pre-season period, mostly in a holding midfield role, despite previous appearances as a center-half. Chalobah is clearly a player with plenty of talent. What remains to be seen this season is whether his new manager, Antonio Conte, will provide him with enough opportunities to demonstrate his remarkable abilities.
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Reece Oxford: West Ham United defender
In August of 2015, then-16-year-old Reece Oxford gave a stunning performance in West Ham’s match against Arsenal. Now 17, he hasn’t seen as much action since then (starting just two times in the remaining matches of the 15-16 season), but Oxford has felt confident enough in his own talent to be reportedly discussing a larger role this season with manager Slaven Bilic. Rumors of a multimillion-pound offer from Manchester United likely didn’t hurt his negotiations.
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Rob Holding: Arsenal defender
Center-half Rob Holding has been praised by Arsenal’s longtime manager, Arsene Wenger, for his assurance, composure, and ability to read the game and anticipate what’s coming next. Holding will likely be called on this season to use all those skills and then some: Currently short on options in defense due to a long-term knee injury sustained by center-back and captain Per Mertesacker, Arsenal may have little choice but to drop Holding in at the deep end.
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Jordan Pickford: Sunderland goalkeeper
Jordan Pickford is no stranger to first-class football. By the age of 21, he had already played in all top five levels of English football: impressive enough for any player and incredible for one so young. Now 22 and having just signed a long-term contract, Pickford is getting ready to take on Sunderland’s current goalkeeper, Vito Mannone, for the prize of wearing the No. 1 jersey.
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Matthew Pennington: Everton defender
Despite having had little involvement with England’s underage teams, as is usual for talented young players, Pennington became a solid fixture on the Everton squad last season, and he has been looking strong in this year’s pre-season matches. Now that Everton’s former leading defender, John Stones, has moved on to Manchester City, Matthew Pennington should have ample opportunity to show what he can do.
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Demarai Gray: Leicester City forward
Leicester is competing in the Champions League, as well as the Premier League this season, which means that Demarai Gray should see plenty of action. The impressive young forward, who was signed from Birmingham City in early 2016, has made a number of brilliant appearances during the remainder of last season.
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Sheyi Ojo: Liverpool midfielder
A gifted player on both flanks, 19-year-old Sheyi Ojo has impressed in all his appearances so far for Liverpool. Highly rated by manager Jurgen Klopp, Ojo may go out on loan, but it seems certain, as stated by Klopp himself, that his longer-term future is without question at Liverpool.