HomeFast & FuriousMaking their mark in 2021/22

Making their mark in 2021/22

Vidur Arora
By Vidur Arora

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breakout stars premier league

Each year the Premier League becomes a stage for new stars to emerge. More often than not these breakout stars from the Premier League go on to become superstars. Trent Alexander-Arnold , Reece James, Declan Rice and many more have first established themselves as competent players at the highest level of English football. From there on they have kicked on to become one of the best players in their positions.

This season is no different with many academy graduates and young players bought from other leagues receiving time on the pitch in the English top flight and finally establishing themselves. These players have become breakout stars of the Premier League this season. As the season is coming to an end it’s time to look at such players, who could possibly be on the move in the summer.

The following players will hopefully go on to fulfil their potential at the top of European football.

Here is FootTheBall’s list of 10 breakout stars from the 2021/22 Premier league season.

 

Marc Guehi

The 21 year old defender who came through at Chelsea’s infamous academy, moved to Crystal Palace in the summer after a majestic loan at Swansea City in the Championship.

Since his switch to first team action in the Premier League , the Ivory Coast born defender has been a revelation at Palace this season. He has fit seamlessly into Patrick Viera’s new look Eagles side alongside the impressive Jaochim Andersen. He is an excellent modern day sweeper.

Guehi at 21 is already a physically dominant defender with decent if not exceptional ball playing and carrying ability. His performances for Palace this season has seen him force way into Gareth Southgate’s squad. Something a lot of the following players have managed to do. As Palace continue to progress under Viera so would Guehi, thus he is bound to just get better from here on out.

As a mass exodus of defenders looms at Chelsea, letting go of Guehi in hindsight could seem like a massive slip up. He could easily be playing for a top 6 side and could possibly lead the defence for England for years to come.

 

Max Kilman

Max Kilman has been one of the standout performers for Bruno Lage’s Wolverhampton this season. They boast one of the best defences in Europe this season, which is no mean feat.

At 24 , Kilman is the oldest member of this list and a late bloomer too. Despite being in the Wolves squad since 2018, this is the first season in the top flight when he has been able amass north of 2000 minutes in a season.

The former Maidenhead United player’s value has soared this season. He has showcased the ability to be an aggressive front foot defender. Standing at 6 ft 4 in he is a threat in the air too and can easily handle balls over the top. He seems like a complete modern ball playing defender. Surely destined for a top 6 club , or at least a club playing on the European stage.

 

Tyrick Mitchell

Tyrick Mitchell has been part of the first team set up at Crystal Palace since last season. But this season under Patrick Viera has really impressed everyone. He has turned out to be an extremely adept defender.

His numbers in fact look very similar to Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s breakout season at the Eagle’s Much like AWB, Tyrick’s defensive numbers are exceptional. He has also managed to break through into Southgate’s England set up.

He even has 2 assists this season suggesting that he has a higher attacking ceiling than the now Red Devils full back. The way Palace are progressing under Viera and looking at the downfall of AWB, we think Mitchell should continue his development under the legendary Frenchman.

 

Valentino Livramento

The second player on the list that has come through the Chelsea academy, Valentino Livramento has been one of the biggest surprises of the season. A comparatively unknown quantity compared to the others on the list.

This is his first season playing senior men’s football and he has not looked even a touch off the pace.

Extremely rapid and blessed with boundless stamina he has been a menace for teams going up against Southampton this season on the right flank. Capable of stretching defences with his pace, unlike Mitchell he is not only a competent defender but effective going forward too. Tino Livramento has also been an exceptional ball carrier for Saints this season.

He has showcased all his ability this season and frankly we are sure he will go on to play for some of the best clubs not only in England but in Europe.

 

Conor Gallagher

The last player on this list from the prestigious Chelsea academy,but not the last from Crystal Palace is, Conor Gallagher. The 22 year old  who can play anywhere in midfield and can even feature on the wings.

Conor has predominantly played as a winger this season for Viera’s Palace or as the second striker. He has 8 goals and 3 assists this season.

Gallagher has been the most influential cog from midfield in the Palace attack and the most effective presser for the Eagles this season. He has showcased a whole array of skills that have marked him out to be an old school box to box midfielder. The Chelsea loanee has bundles of energy and is the most effective presser for Palace this season. He is not a great ball carrier or progressive passer but his energy alone makes up for it, especially him being adept at finding space in the final 3rd.

He loves to start and finish attacks for his side this season. He has also managed to break into Gareth Southgate’s England setup. Chelsea would be hoping that he does not try to force a move away from the Blues.

 

Jacob Ramsey

Jacob Ramsey has slowly grown into his role at Aston Villa this season Since Steven Gerrard’s arrival at Villa though Ramsey has become one of the best young players in the league.

In about 2300 minutes this season the 20 year old midfielder has 6 goals and 1 assist, all of which came in a purple patch for Ramsey in January and February. He is a very adept presser and does not mind doing the dirty bits for his team.  What really stands out with Ramsey are his progressive carrying numbers.

He is a very proactive member of the Villa attack too. He is always looking to get into the box to score and his excellent passing ability hands him a very versatile skill set to build his career on.

 

Michael Olise

Capable of playing on either wings or in the hole behind the striker, Michael Olise has gone on to build upon his reputation as an elite creator he earned in the Championship with Reading.

At 20 his creative numbers are insane! Olise has 2 goals and 5 assists in only a 1000 minutes. Blessed with quick feet , flair and flawless technique, the Frenchman looks like the complete attacker who can create and score. His pressing and defensive numbers are a little skewed because most of minutes in the league this season have come off the bench.

But his vision is on par with the likes of KDB and other elite creators he can easily go on to become the best playmaker in the league. He has been the only creative breakout star in the Premier League this season.

 

Anthony Elanga

Although we could have easily put Anthony Gordon in place of Anthony Elanga for this spot. But the Swedish youngster just edges him due to the fact that he has been the most functional attacker in Rangnick’s system at Manchester United.

Whereas the Scotsman has been shining light for Everton’s dismal season his end product still needs a lot of work.  The 20 year old Red Devils winger has been the best presser at United this season.

Not only that, Elanga has chipped in with some crucial performances for Manchester United this season in which he has managed to score 2 and assist 1 in the league. Ten Hag can surely work his magic on the young winger to make sure he grows into a star that deserves to wear the Red Devils’ jersey , especially since the early signs are very promising.

 

Emile Smith Rowe

The 21 year old was handed the Gunners legendary number 10 shirt at the start of this season. Seems like it was the correct decision, since he has exploded into life this season after a few injury hit seasons. He has 10 goals and 2 assists in 30 appearances in the league this season.

Although he has overperformed his Xg this season the signs are very promising. His understanding with Odegaard and Saka has also been exceptional this season. The way these 3 dovetail with each other is sometimes a majestic watch. He has also managed to break into Gareth Southgate’s England setup.

A big future lies ahead of Smith Rowe, we all just hope he stays off the treatment table since it is a treat to actually watch him play.

 

Gabriel Martinelli

At 20, Gabriel Martinelli already looks like a superstar. Despite his development this year getting stunted by injuries, he and Saka have been the most effective attackers for Arteta’s Arsenal this season.

In about 1600 minutes in the league this season the Brazilian has scored 5 and assisted a further 4. But his underlying numbers are just ludacris for a 20 year old. If he is fit he is one of the first names on Arteta’s team sheets and rightly so.

Blessed with warp speed the winger is lethal even if he is left alone in the final 3rd. He is capable of producing moments of magic all on his own. An ability only a few special players are blessed with. If he stays injury free he will surely go on to become one the greatest attacking wingers of his generation. To understand the potential of these breakout stars from the Premier League it is important to recognize that a lot of them have been called up to their national team setups.

 

 

 

Vidur Arora
Vidur Arora
A Swansea City fan, who fell in love with the game watching Joe Allen play. Usually found in the wild with headphones in his ears and bobbing his head. Love his art too.

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