Watch out... these kids have clout

Posted Monday, December 26, 2011 by The Sun

Watch out... these kids have clout
GIVE US MORR ... Ravel is ready to make the breakthrough

SOME wonderful young talents have broken through to light up the Premier League in 2011 — and I'm hoping that next year will be just as productive.

There's a lot of great young kids around but for every Phil Jones or Jack Wilshere there are dozens more hot prospects who don't live up to expectations.

One of the most exciting youngsters causing a stir is a left-sided attacker at Manchester United called Ravel Morrison.

By all accounts he really is something special.

But search the internet for details of his career so far and you'll probably come up with more about the lad's ability to get himself into trouble.

I just hope Morrison sorts himself out because there is nothing worse than seeing great talent wasted.

The problem with so many young players today is they sign a contract with a Premier League club at 17 and think they've cracked it.

But that is when the hard work is just beginning. And if you don't have character to go with natural talent, you've got no chance.

The rewards for being a Premier League footballer are there for all to see — big houses, fast cars, diamond earrings and all the attention you could want.

But this game demands commitment, discipline and big sacrifices.

For me, it's a no-brainer that someone being paid more in a week than his parents could hope to earn in a year should be prepared to give up the nights out with his mates in return for a fabulous lifestyle.

That's why predicting which young players are going to make it big is always such a risky business.

As well as the obvious distractions off the field, there is also the risk of injury derailing a player's progress.

Plus there's the problem of giving kids enough first-team action without damaging your team's prospects.

A lot of people slag off the Europa League but it was a real opportunity for lads like Danny Rose, Andros Townsend, Harry Kane and Tom Carroll to gain valuable experience.

Now we are out of Europe, I will be looking to loan some of these lads out in the New Year, so they can get the competitive football they just can't get playing in the reserves.

But here are my six players to look out for in 2012.

Hopefully, they will all live up to my expectations and make our game even more exciting in the New Year.

« Previous12 3 4 5 6 7 Next »