Theo Walcott, Aaron Lennon, Ashley Young: Who Will Be England's Future?

There have been many great battles this season in the English Premier League, but the one that has earned the most headlines is that between Manchester United and Liverpool for the right to be crowned champions.

However, all too often the more personal duels are overlooked.

There has been one argument in particular raging in recent seasons: Who has the right to be named England's "next best thing"?

The debate among football fans to determine who is the best of Arsenal's Theo Walcott, Tottenham Hotspur's Aaron Lennon, and Aston Villa's Ashley Young is an intriguing one.

Each are young wingers, have been blessed with speed, and have become almost-permanent fixtures in their respective club's first 11.

But who is the best? Who has the potential to be the world beater? Who would you like on your team?

Theo Walcott

At 20 years old, Walcott arrived at Arsenal in 2006 under the weight of great expectations. The normally frugal Arsene Wenger agreed to a fee that could rise to £12 million for the young hotshot who had impressed so many at Southampton.

Walcott currently occupies the right midfield slot for Arsenal, although in the long term it is expected he will play as a striker in the Thierry Henry mold.

Since 2006, he has made 100 apperances for Arsenal and has scored 14 goals. His main asset is his speed, which he used to great effect in last season's Champions League when he set up counter-attacking goals for Emmanuel Adebayor against AC Milan and Liverpool.

He has also recently added finishing to his repetoire; just check his hat trick against Croatia and a delightful chip-in finish against Villarreal.

In 24 starts this season, Walcott has scored eight goals and assisted on three others.

Aaron Lennon

Lennon, 22, arrived at Spurs in 2005. A financially strained Leeds United were forced to sell their up-and-coming star for a reported £1 million to the London-based club.

Like Walcott, Lennon is also blessed with lightning speed—it is said he is one of the fastest players in the EPL—and has an array of tricks to fool opposing defenders as he sets up the attack.

In more recent times, Manchester United's acclaimed left back, Patrice Evra, has found Lennon hard to handle. The Spurs' man has been said to "skin" his opponent on numerous occasions during the Carling Cup Final, and it certainly happened in last weekend's League match at Old Trafford.

Since his arrival at Tottenham, Lennon has made 164 apperances and scored 15 times. This season, in 37 starts, Lennon has scored five goals and has made eight assists as Spurs aim for a European spot.

Ashley Young

Young had to work harder than Walcott and Lennon, whose talents were spotted at an early age, but he has worked himself into this conversation nonetheless.

Now 23, Young was once turned away by Watford's Academy, though he eventually returned to prove himself as a player. His work-rate paid off, and he was signed on professional terms by Watford before being sold to Aston Villa in 2006 for £8 million.

Like his two international colleagues, Young is blessed with great speed, which he uses to great effect, often cutting inside to swing in crosses for his Aston Villa teammates. 

As with Walcott, Young has the ability to play on the wing or up front as a striker.  His sensational early form combined with that of his teammates propelled Aston Villa to a Champions League spot, though the club eventually wilted.

Since joining the Villains, Young has made 52 competitive appearances for the club, scoring 10 times.  This season he has made 43 starts, scored eight goals, and offered up nine assists.

Each of these young players has great potential. Some of it already fulfilled, as each has represented his country at international level.

But who has the best chance of being England's next big thing?

Is it Theo Walcott, who is progressing under the watchful eye of Arsene Wenger?

Or Aaron Lennon, who is the twinkle in Harry Redknapp's eye?

Or maybe current PFA Young Player of the Year Ashley Young?

Is there one in particular who stands out, or do they all have an equal chance?