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Premier League Needs You: 11 Young Players Who Could Light Up the Prem

Greg Lott

What really is the best league in the world? Spain? England? Italy? Germany? To be honest i don't really know. My head says Spain but my heart says England and i prefer my heart. I believe with the help of these 11 players (and 7 subs), England could be returned to where it belongs, as the best nation in the world. I have tried my best to envisage the destinations that the players could be best utilised and the chances of the moves actually coming to fruition. Feel free to argue, to clarify to shout, to disagree or to question, as this is simply my opinion. An opinion i have formed from my own personal judgement of the players from opportunity i have had to see them play, their general rating and, I'm not going to lie, my good friend Football Manager. Enjoy.

Goalkeeper: Manuel Neuer: Shalke 04: Age 24

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Shalke's prize asset and the fans favourite. Came through the youth set up at the club and is now a member of the German national team as well. An imposing figure at all of 6'5 Neuer could quite happily fill the breach at any number of English clubs seeking a world-class shot stopper. Shalke's reticence to release him from his duties could be the major barrier, however,  i feel it will be sooner rather than later that they receive an offer that is just too good to refuse. Possible destinations: Manchester United, Arsenal, Tottenham?. Will it happen? 8/10

Left-Back: Fabio Coentrao: Benfica: Age 22

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A pacy full back that can also play on the left of midfield, Coentrao's name has been doing the rounds in England this season after a very good showing in Portugal's somewhat disappointing WC. Despite having spent much of his time away from Benfica on loan, Coentrao's emergence into the National side coincided with his cementing of a starting berth for Benfica. Coentrao, along with his team-mates, particularly impressed in Portugal's rout of World and European Champions Spain, two weeks ago. Possible destinations: Man City, Arsenal, Liverpool. Will it happen? 8/10  

Right-Back: Davide Santon: Inter Milan: Age 19

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Since moving to Inter at the age of 14, big things have been expected of Santon. Initially a winger, Davide has now switched back into the position he now calls his own, a wing-back. Santon is an very versatile player and can operate on either flank, although right back is his favourite position. Unfortunately for him, at Milan he has the looming presence of Maicon in his path meaning, as yet he has only accrued 38 appearances in his 3 years in the first team. At only 19 years of age, though and with the great tradition of Italian defenders to support his claim, there is no reason why Santon could not go on to become one of the worlds best. Possible destination: Chelsea, Man City, Arsenal. Will it happen? 6/10

Centre-Back: David Luiz: Benfica: Age 23

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With one of the most impressive Wafro's (white afro's) in sport David Luiz is hardly a man you are going to forget very easily. Luckily for him, and us, however, his play more than matches up to his barnet. With his imposing stature and impressive technical ability, Luiz will, it appears, soon become a 'big fish in a little pond ' within the Portuguese league and finding a new club seems an inevitability. Chelsea and Man City are known suitors. Possible destinations: Chelsea, Man City. Will it happen? 9/10

Centre-Back: Mamadou Sakho: Paris St. Germain: Age 20

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Sakho is quite literally a beast. A tower at the heart of both the PSG and now the French defence. Well known to players of football manager for the past few seasons, as he becomes the best centre half on the game. There have been numerous rumours in recent seasons about Sakho moving to the Premiership, but he is still a PSG player. This season though, could be the last he spends in the French capital. Possible destinations: Arsenal, Chelsea, Man City, Liverpool, Tottenham. Will it happen? 8/10

Left-Wing: Marko Marin: Werder Bremen: Age 21

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After Mesut Ozil's exit to Real, the diminutive Marin has become Werder's prime asset. a German international, Marin's tricky runs and bullet shots have been the bane of defences the world over, in the past few years. With Werder now out of the Champions League and hardly setting the German League alight, it remains to be seen for just how much longer Marin will stay put. Possible destination: Man Utd. Man City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham Will it happen? 7/10

Right-Wing: Alexis Sanchez: Udinese: Age 21

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The most exciting of the young Chilean side that so impressed at the World Cup. Sanchez's lightning quick feet and mesmerising skill has led to comparisons with Cristiano Ronaldo. It may be a bit early to mention him in the same breath as Ronaldo quite yet, but given the right mentor the sky really is the limit. In the aftermath of the World Cup, Sanchez went public in his desire to join Manchester United, whom he described as his 'favourite club'. Whilst not a prolific scorer, as a skillful, bewitching wing prospect, few can match him. Possible destination: Manchester Utd. Will it happen? 8/10 

Centre-Midfield: Javi Martinez: Athletic Bilbao: Age 22

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A product of the Osasuna youth system, Martinez has recently pushed his way into the Spanish national side; no mean feat with the players Spain have at their disposal! Tall and powerful for a centre-midfielder, in the Tom Huddleston Ilk at 6'3, Martinez's touch and vision belies his stature. Sooner rather than later though it seems Martinez will outgrow Bilbao and then the vultures will come calling. Whether the Premiership will be his chosen destination is another matter, but there is no doubt that his physical style would be right at home in England. Possible destinations: Arsenal, Manchester Utd. Will it happen? 7/10

Centre-Midfield: Eden Hazard: Lille: Age 19

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In my opinion among the greatest youth prospects in the world. At only 19 years of age Hazard is already the fulcrum of the Lille team that gave Liverpool such a hard time in the Europa league last season. Making his debut for his native Belgium at 17, Hazard has since gone on to become the first player to win the UNFP Young player of the year award twice. His playing style and vastly maturing technical ability has led to comparisons with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Although Lille are well-placed in the French league, it is almost inevitable that Hazard will leave, probably not in January, but in all likely hood in the summer. The question is, with all the biggest clubs in the world competing together, will an English Club win? Possible destinations: Liverpool, Man Utd. Chelsea, Arsenal, Man City. Will it happen? 7/10

Striker: Thomas Muller: Bayern Munich: Age 21

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An unknown two years ago, languishing in the Bayern reserves, after a prolonged period in the side and a strong World Cup showing, Muller is now being talked about as one of the hottest prospects in world football. Finishing the World Cup as joint top goalscorer certainly elevated Muller's stock and at 20 years of age his best years are most certainly in the future. However, given the fact that, prior to this years World Cup not a single one of the Germany national team was based outside of Germany, and that even now there are only two (Khedira and Ozil at Real), will Muller see his future away from Bayern at all? Possible destinations: Chelsea, Man City, Arsenal. Will it happen? 3/10

Striker: Neymar: Santos: Age 18

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Chelsea hold a long- running courtship with the next great prospect to come out of Brazilian club Santos, the old stomping ground of Robinho, amongst others. At only 18 years of age and boasting two full Brazil caps to his name its no wonder that Neymar is being talked about in the same breath as his idol Ronaldo (Brazilian). Despite completely opposing styles, if Neymar continues upon his current rate of progress it wont be all that long until such comparisons with Ronaldo are justified. In recent weeks, however, Neymar has come out saying that his preferred destination would be Juventus, although he has also said he admires Liverpool. Possible destinations: Chelsea, Liverpool, Man City. Will it happen? 5/10

Substitutes: De Gea, Holtby, Badstuber, Bojan, Ninis, Carrico, Ayew

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Davide De Gea: Atletico Madrid: Goalkeeper: Age 20. Tall goalkeeper that is seen as the future Spanish number one after Casillas retires. Possible destinations: Manchester United, Arsenal. Will it happen? 7/10.

Lewis Holtby: Mainz (on loan from Shalke): Winger: Age 20.Tricky winger of English-German descent, has chosen to represent Germany on the national stage over England though so may be opposed to a move to the Premier League. Possible destination: Everton, Tottenham, Man City. Will it happen? 4/10 

Holger Badstuber: Bayern Munich: Left Back: Age 21. Versatile defender that starred for Germany at the World Cup. Possible destination: Chelsea, Man City. Will it happen? 2/10

Bojan Krcic: Barcelona: Striker: Age 20: Striker that has been on the scene for the last few years. Exploded into the Barcelona first team but has struggled to maintain his place in the team after the arrival of David Villa. Possible destination: Man Utd. Chelsea, Man City, Tottenham. Will it happen? 6/10

Sotiris Ninis: Panathinaikos: Attacking Midfield: Age 20. Player regarded as the best prospect in Greek football of recent generations. Possible destinations: Man Utd. Arsenal, Tottenham Will it happen? 7/10 

Daniel Carrico: Sporting CP: Centre Back: Age 22. Strong centre back that has been instrumental in Sporting's strong showing this season, heavily linked with a move to Manchester City. Possible Destination: Man City. Will it happen? 9/10

Andre Ayew: Marseille: Winger: Age 20. One of the highly rated Ghanaian youth prospects that won the 2009 FIFA U20 World Cup. Also starred in Ghana's strong showing in the World Cup this summer. Possible destinations: Arsenal, Tottenham, Man City, Everton, Aston Villa. Will it happen? 5/10

   

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