Home > Football > The FOUR best Premier League kids – Spurs, Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United take a bow
The FOUR best Premier League kids – Spurs, Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United take a bow
Taarabt, Fabregas, Babel and Anderson show why England's claim to have the best league in the world is totally justified.
by Mark Apostolou on 11 March 2008
Email this Article (28) Comments
I would like to think that I am a balanced observer of Premier League footballers and my allegiance is to none of the four teams whose players I am proudly celebrating.But the stars of the future on whom I’m turning the spotlight are just another reason why the English Premier League is so clearly head and shoulders above the rest.Adel Taarabt of Tottenham: I know Spurs fans drool over him, but it’s well justified. Taarabt arrived with a bang just over a year ago at Upton Park where his first five minutes of Premier League football were a joy to watch. Juande Ramos is wisely introducing the 18-year-old slowly so as to give him time to adapt to the game. Sure to get his first start before the season is out and will no doubt become a star for the future. His tag of being the next Zinedine Zidane seems odd though as his position on the park and the qualities he possess bear very little relation to the former World Cup winner.Cesc Fabregas of Arsenal: Yes, of course he is on this short-list. He may have been around seemingly for ages but the Spaniard is still only 20. With potential that is frankly scary and with bags of experience already in his locker, the world is his oyster. The midfielder already has experience of playing in an FA Cup Final, a League Cup final and a Champions League final, which must be some sort of record. Maybe this year he will add the Premier League to that growing CV. Mischievously courted by Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona, Arsene Wenger and Gunners fans would sooner sell the Emirates Stadium than the jewel in their crown. A future full of promise and a great advert for Wenger's ability to spot talent.Ryan Babel of Liverpool: Came in for some unfair criticism earlier in the season but is now beginning to find his feet and has impressed many at Anfield in his first season in England. He has started the last four games, which have produced four wins. The Dutchman is apparently attempting to model his game on Thierry Henry and is keen to increase his goal threat to add to his teasing wide runs and whipped finishes. Already has eight goals in 20 starts so he knows where the net is. The 21-year-old was wanted by several clubs and Rafa did well to beat all-comers to the Ajax man.Anderson of Manchester United: I really didn’t expect him to hit top gear so early, and apparently neither did Sir Alex, but the Brazilian has been awesome for United. Shows great composure on the ball and is strong in the tackle but can also find a player with passes of great vision. Still only 19 and one of a crop of youngsters who should neatly dovetail with the aging members Ferguson’s squad.There are many other youngsters in the Premier League who could hold claim to being among the brightest and who were not left out for any derogatory reason. British kids such as Micah Richards, Gabriel Agbonlahor, Mark Noble and Theo Walcott are among a fresh crop of home-grown youngsters who will, hopefully, steer not only their clubs but also the England team, to greater things.
Comments (28)
by Jules on March 11, 2008
Yep i think these are the brightest talents already doing the business, the Premier League is definitely proving itself as the home of the best emerging talent in the world, i could name another dozen class acts under 21 already thrilling English clubs!
by Cris on March 11, 2008
is awesome!
by Ali Salama on March 11, 2008
Fair enough they are all good but Fabregas and Anderson are head and shoulders above any other kids in the premiership! They are in their own league, and even then Fabregas is out on his own! Also, surely Walcott and Bale deserve a mention before Taarabt! Also Carlos Vela on loan at Osasuna from Arsenal, that boy is a genuine world beater!
by Lillywhites on March 11, 2008
I am a spurs fan and it embarrasses me for you to put Taarabt in the same category as the other players. Despite possessing some silky skills he is a joke of a footballer, I think too many fans get excited about a few step overs. Maybe when he learns to pass and finds some pace maybe he'll become a true gem of the premier league, but until then lets not get carried away!
by Mark (author) on March 11, 2008
You may have a point in so much as the other three have had a lot more premier league action, however i would say that Adel's potential is immense, but your right maybe i got too carried away.
by Sam Penn on March 11, 2008
I am a season ticket holder and you are talking absolute rubbish - you are clearly not a Spurs fan. The boy has bundles of talent, ridiculous post
by Danny Mackay on March 11, 2008
Aaron Lennon (20) might have been a better Spurs choice than Taraabt - though I agree that the frenchman is quite a promising talent.
by D B on March 11, 2008
Does anyone else actually think anderson looks like an actual girl. I know he has long hair but his face has girly features.
Aaron Lennon is about to feature in a different article which covers the top five British kids.
by Tom Makebelieve on March 11, 2008
Two words...... Gareth Bale!!!!!!!! He is younger than everyone on this list, with the possible exception of Taarabt, and is going to be a world class player! Only Fabregas on this list has that amount of potential! Babel and Anderson look like good players but nothing more than that
by oivind Lundberg on March 11, 2008
I don't know where you put the line, but surely Ronaldo is the best proof of why Premier league is the best! As for young coming stars Nani, Anderson, Fabregas, Torres, Babel, Walcott, Young, "Agbelahor", Lennon, Bale, Hutton, are all proof of an exciting future, and many many more! Taraabt has work to do before he makes the list... 80min total premiership experience just aint enough!
by [with_teeth] agrees on March 11, 2008
I think taarabt is a fantastic prospect with as much technical ability as Berbatov (if not more). He's not in the same league as cesc and anderson yet as he hasn't really been properly introduced to the premier league, but when he is finally given a starting birth i'm sure everyone will agree with you Mark.
by YidArmy on March 11, 2008
As everyone's said, Taraabt is looking like a real prospect for the future, but personally I'd have names Bale well before him. He's had an injury struck season, but when he's played he's show what a massive talent he is and also why Spurs paid so much for him last summer. Just hope he can stay fit next season, as from what I've seen so far he definetly justifies all the hype he's received.
by manni pattar on March 11, 2008
You guys need to look up Joe lewis aththe Phoneix that is Peterborough United, already capped for England, we snapped thr boy up from norwich and he's already got player of the month as a goalie.
by Jim B on March 11, 2008
I'm yet another Spurs fan who thinks that you've been a bit hasty to include Taraabt among the likes of Fabregas and Anderson. Taraabt has the potential to be a top class player, no doubt. But he's still a long way off it. He has the raw materials. But he has to learn to fit his individual skills into a team. He needs to learn when to pass and when to dribble. When he does (if he does), watch out Premiership! P.S. I also wouldn't include Babel among the group. He hasn't done much to impress yet. Still a lot to prove.
by Sean on March 11, 2008
There is an old and wise saying: The proof of the pudding is in the eating. Like many making comments I'm a Spurs fan, so, although it is true that Taraabt has masses of potential, I would have to insist that it will only be when he has done it on the pitch at Premiership level that I will accept he should be on that list. Bale, however, has shown he CAN do it at that level.
by stuart cooper on March 11, 2008
Jamie O'Hara anybody?. Derbyshire from Blackburn (has he ever come on from the bench and failed to score)?. Johnson at Man City, Hart in goal at Man City. BUT O'Hara has shown already that he can live with the best, he marked Ronaldo out of the game against Man Utd and unlike the other named players, that was one of his first appearances in the league and his quality still shone through.Imagine what he'll be like when he's used to the league etc?.
by sarah adams on March 11, 2008
we shall see if this article is right when he starts to play more. i dont see a problem with someone saying this just cos he doesnt play in the 1st team yet. the article doesnt say in the PL.
by kide on March 11, 2008
Anderson? Is he there yet? I don't think so.. I could only remember he loves to dive and fake too.. is a disgrace player at his age is doing such unsporty behavior.
ops it does say that.
by totally tottenham on March 11, 2008
As a spurs fan it is hard for me to admit but not only is cesc the best youngtser in England I think he is the best player in the world. He has got everything. Gareth Bale suffered two succesive injuries and if he had stayed fit he would also be firmly on the list. He is athletic skillful pacy and has a fierce left foot. Adel Taraabt is a bit of an enigma. If he can mature a little ala Ronaldo at man yoooo he could light up the premier league. I saw him in action in Dublin and all the players looked to play him into the game whenever they got the ball. He has great vision and awarness. Better skill than anyone else at Spurs and a thunderbolt of a shot. The Kid has great (and i hate this word) 'potential' not yet harnessed!
by dan on March 11, 2008
I reckon you should add a few more players to the most hard working players poll... Carlos Tevez, Steed Malbranque and Dirk Kuyt (even though he aint actually very good) deserve to be recognised for the work they put in!
by Greeny THFC on March 11, 2008
Not played enough to be in that poll, even though he is injured Gareth Bale would be in there before Taraabt, Lets wait and see, if he manages a few more games and learns when to pass and when to run with the ball he could become a very good player. Pains me to say it but Fabregas is an outstanding young player (now to wash my mouth out)
Name: This is simply to give the editors a general idea of what the article is about and will not appear on your published version.