8 Young Stars to Watch in the Premier League Next Season

Young stars of the Premier League are a fascinating group to watch; they bring excitement and possibility to any match, while those not already at the biggest clubs inevitably come under extra scrutiny to see if they are capable of stepping up further, and of course commanding big transfer fees.

Keeping tabs on promising youngsters over the course of a few seasons lends great insight into what they could become over the length of their career, and the biggest test of all might be following up a good first season with an improved second one.

There are many other reasons to keep an eye on the best of the league of course, and here are eight such players which should bear watching.

Raheem Sterling

Liverpool's Raheem Sterling burst onto the Premier League scene in the early part of last season with a series of exhilarating performances from the left or right side of the attack. He scored his first senior goals and was a regular starter for the Reds at just 17 years of age, contributing enormously during the first half of the season.

Of course, being so young it was natural that he would suffer a dip in form at some point due to fatigue, and manager Brendan Rodgers used him sparingly after the new year.

Sterling has pace, trickery on the ball, is versatile and has plenty of confidence. In a stronger squad he'll have to keep improving to get more game time, but he is already a full England international and if used correctly and with regular breaks to rest, he could have a much more consistent impact on games for Liverpool.

Wilfried Zaha

There will be plenty of eyes on Manchester United's newest winger, Wilfried Zaha.

Whether he plays out the season at United or goes on loan elsewhere remains to be seen, but he will either way be expected to have an exciting and telling impact in the top flight. Like Sterling, Zaha is a full international and can play on either flank, and his eight goals and 11 assists in the Championship this season lead many to believe he'll be an instant success in the top flight.

David Moyes, the new Manchester United manager, will be the man who has to get the best out of Zaha in his first season in the Premier League.

Ross Barkley

Everton's young midfielder Ross Barkley has already seen fleeting game time in the Premier League, though he spent part of this season out on loan at Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds United in the Championship.

Barkley is an energetic midfielder with plenty of technical qualities too, and Roberto Martinez could well be the perfect manager for him; building play more through midfield, encouraging pressure on the opposition and letting young players get their chance.

Playing from either the right or the centre of midfield, Barkley could become Martinez's new version of James McCarthy at Everton—and if he proves as capable on a regular basis, he could save Everton a large amount of money.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain now and a different reason to watch out for a player.

After having a huge impact during 2011-12 and making England's Euro 2012 squad, Oxlade-Chamberlain failed to nail down a regular place in Arsenal's team last season and made more sub appearances than starts.

The attacking midfielder, who can play on either flank or central, really needs to prove that he can be more than an impact sub for his team, but rather one who can play from the start on a regular basis and have a lasting impression on results.

It's a big year for Oxlade-Chamberlain.

James Ward-Prowse

Southampton central midfielder James Ward-Prowse made 15 appearances in the Premier League last season, mainly as a substitute. He has already shown great potential and at 18 years of age he is only beginning his career.

A fine passer of the ball who also shows good positional awareness for such a young midfielder, and in Mauricio Pochettino's side he could yet become an integral player this term. Even if he was to only continue in a squad role this term, Ward-Prowse will continue to benefit from and improve after playing increased minutes for the Saints.

Massadio Haidara

Newcastle United's left-back Massadio Haidara made just four Premier League appearances last term, but he has the raw potential to be a very good attacking full-back.

The French under-21 defender has pace, is strong and enjoys getting forward at pace. He's behind the likes of Davide Santon in the pecking order at present, but Newcastle will likely try and work him into the side this coming season after six months of watching and learning following his January move.

Haidara might not start the season in the Magpies' team, but he will almost certainly contribute heavily during the entirety of the campaign.

Lucas Piazon

Chelsea are blessed with great depth already in their attacking midfield line, so it remains to be seen whether Lucas Piazon is given a chance to stake his claim for a place next season.

With Jose Mourinho back in town, it might work to Lucas' advantage that he has been playing on loan in Spain during the past season with Malaga. The Brazilian has undoubted quality as a playmaking midfielder, but his greatest challenge might be to merely get a chance in the Chelsea first team.

If he does that, then either playing central or from the flanks, Lucas has the technical quality and creativity to have a big impact on the Premier League.

Connor Wickham

Much has been expected of Connor Wickham, supposedly the big hope for England's future as a striker, but he has failed to really push on and make himself a big success in the Premier League so far.

Last season he failed to score a single goal for Sunderland in the Premier League, but just perhaps, in Paolo Di Canio, he has the manager who can bring out the best in him finally.

"

Maybe, with this guy, I have to slap his face a little bit. I'm talking about motivating him in a genuine way because he has so much potential.

"

So said Di Canio, as per Sky Sports, about his young striker. Wickham has long been seen as an international class striker in the making, but in two seasons he has only managed a single goal in the top flight.

Now aged 20, he needs to have a big campaign this time around or else be labelled as one who couldn't quite cut it at the highest level.

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