Chelsea centre-forward Tammy Abraham celebrates after scoring. (Getty Images)
The Premier League is the pinnacle of football and entertainment. From the ferocity of the fans to the intensity of the game, the competitive nature of the league brings a plethora of untethered entertainment for millions of football fans around the world.
It is the elite competition where every kid growing up dreams to play. It also throws up a fair share of surprises, drama and incredible fightbacks. Every year, it introduces us to the latest gems breaking through the ranks and establishing themselves as elite footballers. This season has been the same.
Here are three players who have impressed during the 2019/20 season and are set for potential stardom.
Not many fans of the beautiful game would have been aware of the Norwich midfielder’s name during the herald of the new season. Cantwell played a sporadic role in their promotion to the Premier League during the previous season but didn’t stand out from the rest, making just 27 appearances and scoring 1 goal.
However, the 21-year-old has since had a remarkable rise. Cantwell has established himself as a key member of the Norwich squad and began his Premier League career in great form. In the first three games of the season, Cantwell already contributed to three goals and matched his tally of contributions from last season.
The midfielder plays with real tenacity and a sense of nonchalance on the pitch. His darting runs forward, tricky feet and exuberant energy has been a pivotal influence for Norwich. Cantwell’s knack for stepping up in the big games has also been an outstanding asset. The 21-year-old has found the back of the net against Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea already this season.
He currently has 21 Premier League games under his belt and has racked up 6 goals and 2 assists.
There were many questions marks raised upon the appointment of Frank Lampard as the Chelsea coach. There were even more eyebrows raised when the former legend decided to give some of their unproven young players a chance in the Premier League.
One of those young players was Tammy Abraham, who had been prolific whilst out on loan in the Championship but endured a thoroughly unsuccessful spell on loan in the Premier League with Swansea. Many had written off the English forward after his first two games in the Premier League for Chelsea this time around too, however, Abraham proved those doubters wrong and has been on fire ever since.
He scored a double in the third round of the Premier League followed by another brace in the next before scoring a hat-trick in the fifth round. He currently has 12 goals in 20 appearances in the league and has been a true revelation for Chelsea. The Blues struggled in Abraham’s absence against West Ham and could not find the cutting edge which the English international has provided them with throughout the season.
Abraham scored his first senior international goal for England this season as well. If he continues his good form, he could potentially oust Harry Kane as England’s first-choice striker.
Chelsea aren’t the only traditional ‘Big Six’ club to promote young players this season though. Manchester United boss Solskjaer is having a tough time at Old Trafford but one thing he should be lauded for is his faith in the youth – often to the detriment of more established names. In total, eight homegrown players have made Premier League appearances this season for United.
While Marcus Rashford and Scott McTominay are bonafide first-team players, defender Axel Tuanzebe has only come into the side in recent weeks. The 21-year-old spent last season on loan at Aston Villa and looks to have benefitted from that experience.
However, the youngster who has made the biggest impact at Old Trafford this season is not a product of the club’s prestigious academy. Instead, it’s former Swansea City attacker Daniel James.
Three goals in August, two of them stunners, underlined the 21-year-old’s huge potential. The Welsh flyer almost joined Leeds United in January but the Swans pulled the plug on the deal.
He has combined with Rashford and Martial to form a deadly front three for Manchester United.