Romeu, Jones, Henderson and the talents at the centre of clubs’ rush to secure stars of tomorrow
It seems that the days of Premier League clubs spending fortunes on well established names are a thing of the past. This summer's transfer window has been dominated by the kids as teams battle it out to snap up the game's rising stars which begs the question: who will be this season's Jack Wilshere?
ORIOL ROMEU
Chelsea have agreed terms with Barcelona for the 19-year-old defensive midfielder, who can also play in central defence. Blues boss Andre Villas-Boas tried to sign the Spain Under-20 international when he was manager of Porto and has now finally got his man in a deal believed to total £4.5m. “He is one of the most promising young players in that position and, hopefully, we can agree personal terms and he will pass a medical,” the manager said.
Connor Wickham
He is still only 18 but has already been around for three years having made his debut for Ipswich shortly after his 16th birthday in 2008. At the Under-17 European Championships in 2010 he scored the winning goal against Spain in the final, while he netted 13 goals in 33 starts for his former club since bursting onto the scene. At 6ft 3in, the young striker has the physical presence to more than hold his own against the Premier League's bruising defences.
Phil Jones
Sir Alex Ferguson has further bolstered his defence with the £16.5m plus add-ons capture of Phil Jones from Blackburn. With the addition of England's under-21 defender, the Man United manager now boasts three of England's best centre halves. He shone for his former club in a season where they narrowly avoided relegation and his powerhouse performances could see him eventually replace – or even usurp – Rio Ferdinand at both club and international level.
Jordan Henderson
England manager Fabio Capello recognised the promise of the 20-year-old midfielder last November and handed him his first senior England cap. His composed and powerful displays in the heart of Sunderland's midfield last season prompted Liverpool to move for the youngster, who splashed £20m on him. In addition to that, FIFA have listed him as one of their players to watch this year and the boundless energy he has shown in pre-season would suggest that the organisation have actually got something right for a change.
David De Gea
Like Henderson, the goalkeeper has been tipped by FIFA as one of the players to watch this year and that's what everyone will have been doing on his debut for Man United against Chicago Fire. Despite conceding an early goal, the 20-year-old Spaniard had a fairly solid game with his confidence, composure and agility all on show. There is certainly a hard act to follow in Edwin van der Saar but the youngster has already shown he has the experience to deal with the world's best players during his time at Atletico Madrid in La Liga. Incidentally, Atletico have just snapped up goalkeeper Thibaud Courtois, Chelsea's 19-year-old £7.9m signing from Genk, on loan.
LUCAS PIAZON
Chelsea successfully brushed off the advances of Juventus, who were also battling to sign the Brazilian and is one of South America's hottest properties. Sao Paulo, though, will be able to hang onto their starlet until January 2012 as he cannot move until he is 18 where they will receive around £10m. Piazon was was also the top scorer at the 2009 Under-15 South American Championship, however, his 10 goals were still not enough to give Brazil victory and they finished runners-up to Paraguay.
WHO IS NEXT?
ROMELU LUKAKU
Anderlect's powerfully built 18-year-old was rumoured to be close to completing a £17.5m move to Chelsea, though London rivals Arsenal have apparently joined the race - along with Europe's other t to sign the striker that has scored 39 goals in 96 matches in Belgium. The Gunners have also been circling around Southampton's 17-year-old Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain but the Blues have been chasing Lukaku since he was 13 and has been dubbed 'the next Didier Drogba.'