5 Young EPL Players Who Will Become Stars

As the world of football shifts its attention to Poland and Ukraine for Euro 2012, it's time to evaluate the future of the English Premier League. 

Last season saw several new faces emerge, and while some exceeded expectations, others are still out to prove they're the real deal. 

With transfer rumors abound and international play set to pick up at the European Championships, football enthusiasts are in for a summer filled with plenty of action.

Here are five players in the English Premier League who will emerge as stars. 

Junior Hoilett

Now that Blackburn Rovers have been relegated from the English Premier League, it's almost certain Junior Hoilett will find himself donning a different uniform when the season starts.

The 21-year-old Canadian midfielder has a bright future ahead of him after recording seven goals in EPL play last season.

According to an article from The Guardian, now that Hoilett's contract is up Arsenal could become a serious player for the midfielder.

Although Arsenal have been linked to midfielders like Clint Dempsey, Hoilett would certainly have a more profound long-term impact on the Gunners.

According to FIFA.com's list of players to watch in 2012, Hoilett is not only a hot transfer commodity, but is also a hot topic of conversation in international football:

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Blackburn may be languishing at the foot of the Premier League table, but their dynamic wide-man has become one of the division’s hottest prospects, with Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur among a host of clubs reportedly keen on signing him this month. Though born and raised in Canada, the as-yet uncapped Hoilett is also eligible for both USA and Jamaica, so is likely to be just as sought-after at international level.

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Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

One of the more popular players at Arsenal, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain established himself as one of the hottest young names in football last season.

Just 18-years-old, Oxlade-Chamberlain will get a chance to make his mark on world football this summer with Roy Hodgson's English national team.

A fresh face with fresher legs, it wouldn't be surprising to see Oxlade-Chamberlain emerge from this summer's Euro 2012 tournament with considerable hype surrounding his play.

With injuries to John Terry and Gary Cahill, Hodgson's squad will rely on Oxlade-Chamberlain to step up in a big way early on.

If Oxlade-Chamberlain can impress in his time with the national team, expect his role with Arsenal to grow significantly next season.

Kyle Walker

If there's one player who must be included on this list, it's Tottenham Hotspur defender Kyle Walker.

Walker is coming off of a season in which he won the PFA Young Player of the Year award—typically a good barometer of future success. Previous winners of the award include Steven Gerrard, Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo, Cesc Fabregas, Ashley Young and Jack Wilshere.

After stints on loan with Queens Park Rangers and Aston Villa, Walker has entrenched himself as one of Tottenham's future building blocks.

Recently turning 22-years-old, Walker will look to vie for a spot on England's 2014 World Cup squad after failing to secure one on the Euro 2012 roster due to a toe injury.

Danny Welbeck

Fresh off of scoring the lone goal in Saturday's international friendly against Belgium, Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck appears primed for a future filled with success.

After recording nine goals in English Premier League play last season, Welbeck capped off a splendid year with two goals in UEFA Champions League competition.

This summer, Welbeck will look to make a significant impact with England's national team alongside United teammate Wayne Rooney.

However, with Rooney suspended for the first two games of Euro 2012, Welbeck will need to shoulder the load. With Rooney absent for matches against France and Sweden, all eyes will shift to Welbeck and his growth as one of England's premier strikers.

Romelu Lukaku

Although he rarely saw the pitch in his first season with Chelsea, Romelu Lukaku has a wealth of potential that has yet to be tapped.

Turning 19 years old last month, Lukaku earned man-of-the-match honors in his lone Premier League start last season against Junior Hoilett's Blackburn squad.

With fresh new faces entering the fold this summer, Lukaku may find himself the odd man out at Stamford Bridge. Situated on a squad that has shown a commitment to adding talented youth, Lukaku can only hope that there will be a contributing role cut out for him next season.

According to an article from ESPN.com, Lukaku is considering a move from Chelsea if he is not given more playing time:

""I will need to talk to the coach about my future," Lukaku told the Daily Star. "I hope for a coach next year who gives chances to young players, not like last year. If he does not want to talk to me, then I'm considering a loan.

"But at the moment my focus is on Chelsea. I will go with them on summer tour and I hope to get some new chances. I think I deserved more chances at Chelsea. What I really need is three months to prove myself."

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Best case scenario: Lukaku is shown playing time and flourishes alongside fellow Belgian Eden Hazard, becoming a staple at Stamford Bridge for years to come.