W e’ve rated and slated the most exciting young players to watch in 2013 on Just Football, young prospects from England, Italy, Spain, Germany, France, and The Netherlands.

Now The 10 Series is back with our 2014/15 edition – the lowdown on 60 of the best young players in Europe this season.



Next up is The 10 Series 2014/15 – the Premier League edition, our pick of the Premier League best young players to watch in 2014/15.



Previously: The 10 Series 2014/15 – Part I – Best Eredivisie youngsters | Part II – La Liga | Part III – Serie A | Part IV – Bundesliga



NOTE: Before you ask, Raheem Sterling was in our 10 Series Class of 2013 (along with nine others). See here for The Premier League 10 Series Class of 2013 & The 10 Series – Premier League Class of 2013 Annual Review

The 10 Series – Premier League best young players to watch in 2014/15:

Adnan Januzaj

(Manchester United, 19 years old)

The brightest spark in Manchester United’s disastrous first season in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, Adnan Januzaj lifted the spirits of every grim-faced Red Devils fan out there when he exploded onto the scene with a match-winning double away at Sunderland.

The Belgian ended up making 35 appearances in all competitions and although his brace at the Stadium of Light constituted half the goals he scored all season, a star was undoubtedly born, with a call-up up to the other Red Devils’ World Cup squad capping off the year.

The teenager’s breakthrough came via a series of twisty, tricky performances on the flanks of United’s attack, but as recently suggested by both the player and his new manager Louis van Gaal, his future likely lies in the middle of the pitch just behind the striker. However, that could take some time due to the surfeit of options the Dutchman has for that position at Old Trafford. Although a combination of Angel Di Maria, Juan Mata and Wayne Rooney should help give him the best education possible.

The speed of his feet is matched by his brain. Januzaj has vision, a fine shot and an instinct for arriving in the box at the opportune time. Hopefully Van Gaal’s 5-3-2 experiment won’t be extended for too much longer at United and Januzaj’s development can continue apace as a deputy for the slew of fantastic number 10s at the club, rather than as a makeshift wing-back.

Calum Chambers

(Arsenal, 19 years old)

Having spent last year rotating with 10 Series graduate Nathaniel Clyne at right-back for Southampton, it is fair to say Calum Chambers’ current role as Arsenal’s third-choice centre-back is a somewhat unexpected development. However, Arsene Wenger’s eye appears to be keener than most once again, as the teenager’s early displays for the Gunners have demonstrated enough class and composure to at last somewhat reduce Arsenal fans’ anxieties about a lack of cover at the back.

Chambers’ reading of the game is his best attribute, with the youngster fitting the mould of a modern centre-back that steps out of defence to cut off attacks. His first few matches for Arsenal have confirmed the suspicion that was also present at the Saints that his future undoubtedly lies in the middle of defence, even if he does also act as backup for Mathieu Debuchy.

Given his youth and expansive defensive approach, mistakes will be made, but if Chambers was not going to continue his development at St Mary’s, the Emirates looks the next best place to do so, with a cohort of young English talent at the club to help him.

Rolando Aarons

(Newcastle United, 18 years old)

After several sparkling displays in the Magpies’ pre-season, most notably in a 3-1 win at Schalke, Rolando Aarons shone in Newcastle’s 3-3 draw with Crystal Palace at St James’ Park. The winger scored once and inadvertently provided the assist for another when his shot rebounded off the post into the path of Mike Williamson.

With pace to burn and excellent close control, Aarons is a traditional winger, happy to spend his time terrorising his full-back by going round him on the outside and delivering crosses from the left flank. Given the widespread current preference for inverted wide players who score as many goals as they create, it will be interesting to see how Aarons is used at Newcastle this season, but his physical capabilities and raw talent should make him a young prospect worth watching and a worthy member of this year’s 10 Series.

James Ward-Prowse

The Saints have made a slew of impressive signings to replace the legion of first team played that left St Mary’s this summer, but as you might expect from the south-coast club, the youth academy will be just as important in building Ronald Koeman’s new-look side.

The most exciting prospect at the club is playmaker James Ward-Prowse, who is expected to build on a season where he drifted in and out of the starting 11 by becoming a key man in Southampton’s attacking play.

His dead-ball proficiency is matched by his eye for an incisive pass in the final third, and Ward-Prowse’s movement makes it hard for defensive midfielders to track, especially as he is comfortable sticking on the flank to send in crosses.

The teenager has a beautifully rounded game, able to play on the wing, as an attacking playmaker or in a deeper central midfield position. That adaptability might count against him if Koeman moves him around the Saints’ formation too much, but wherever he plays, Ward-Prowse should revel in the chance to become a key figure at Southampton this year.

Saido Berahino

(West Brom, 21 years old)

Saido Berahino started the season with a bang, netting twice as West Brom drew with Sunderland, but Alan Irvine has since tinkered with his position, perhaps contributing to the fact that both Berahino and the Baggies have gone goalless in the two games since.

Berahino’s small goal tally of five in 32 league games last season belies the talent the Burundi-born player showed for West Brom, as a variety of qualities that are likely to make him a fine Premier League forward were in evidence. Pacy, potent and a decent passer, Berahino is a very exciting prospect, capable of scoring all kinds of goals.

His current role on the wing perhaps puts less pressure on the youngster’s shoulders, and gives West Brom a genuine threat from the flanks. However, given the toothless display of the Baggies’ other strikers thus far, there is a case for moving Berahino back into the centre.

Despite the doubts that surround the untested Irvine, he has a deserved reputation for working well with young players having spent the past few years overseeing Everton’s academy. Hopefully he can bring the best out of Berahino this season.

Ross Barkley

(Everton, 20 years old)

In his breakthrough campaign at Everton last season, Ross Barkley was a symbol of the new, Roberto Martinez-led era at the Toffees. The optimism around both the club and the 20-year-old took a hit when he was ruled out for the opening months of the season with a medial ligament injury, but Barkely’s rapid development will surely continue as soon as he gets back on the pitch.

Direct, skilful and above all, tremendously exciting to watch, Barkley is an easy player to fall in love with. What he has to work on this season is converting the danger he creates into tangible returns, as he mustered just six goals and no assists in 34 league games last term.

Given his prodigious talent and the faith Martinez has in him, you would expect Barkley to become a far more potent player over the next year.

Luke Shaw

(Manchester United, 19 years old)

The world’s most expensive teenager, Luke Shaw already had a taste of the unwelcome extra attention he will receive since moving to Manchester United, with both Roy Hodgson and Louis Van Gaal’s comments about his fitness a stark contrast to the consistently glowing reviews he received during his time at Southampton.

Once he starts playing regularly for the Red Devils, Shaw will surely put those kind of questions behind him. Either as a left-back or a wing-back in a 5-3-2, the 19-year-old’s attacking prowess looks an ideal fit for United, especially with many of their forward players preferring to drift inside.

Shaw has been tipped to move further up the pitch himself, but while his attacking qualities are more noteworthy than his defensive work, he is no slouch at the back.

Having such a huge transfer fee hovering over his head so early in his career, added to the challenges of joining a club like Manchester United, especially in their current state, might make Shaw’s first few months at Old Trafford difficult, but his talent is such that you’d expect him to be a star for both club and country by the end of the season.

Lazar Markovic

(Liverpool, 20 years old)

Perhaps the most enigmatically exciting of all of Liverpool’s transfers this summer, Lazar Markovic early cameos in matches against Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur have been encouraging enough to whet the appetite of fans around the Premier League.

A wide forward forward who joined the Reds for £20m after one season at Benfica, Markovic is fast, direct, skilful and generally has everything that makes football a joy to watch, including glorious flowing locks.

Liverpool’s attack is well-stocked with young attacking options, so much so that even Philippe Coutinho missed out on a starting spot against Spurs, and with Adam Lallana still to come into consideration Markovic is unlikely to nail down a starting spot immediately this term.

However, Brendan Rodgers has proved himself one of the best around in developing young attackers. 10 Series Hall of Famer Raheem Sterling, has progressed from a promising winger into a beautifully complete player (and indeed a beautiful young man according to his manager), and gives Markovic a template to follow at Anfield over the next few months.

Wilfried Zaha

(Crystal Palace on loan from Manchester United, 21 years old)

It’s fair to say Wilfried Zaha’s first year in the Premier League did not go as planned. After several seasons of astounding progress at Crystal Palace in the Championship, Zaha found himself in the unaccustomed position of being a fringe player at Manchester United, before flopping on loan at a doomed Cardiff side in the second half of the year.

Various reports about his attitude suggest the youngster didn’t react in the best manner, but he now has the perfect chance to show the top flight what he’s really made of back at Selhurst Park. In his first appearance in his second spell at the Eagles, Zaha was given a free role by Neil Warnock and tore into Newcastle with the energy of a man desperate to prove everyone wrong, eventually netting an injury-time equaliser.

A deliciously inventive dribbler, Zaha creates danger where it shouldn’t be possible, in the tightest spaces when he has no right to even consider taking on a defender. He tries the difficult things, and that should always be applauded. At Palace he will have the time and understanding of an adoring fanbase to show he can succeed in the top-flight.

Harry Kane

(Tottenham Hotspur, 21 years old)

As discussed in our recent Generation Next article on Harry Kane, a curious lack of hype surrounds the young English striker. Both Spurs supporters and the wider footballing community seem to have made their minds up that he is never going to be a top player, despite Kane showing glimpses of genuine class everytime he steps onto the pitch.

Three goals in his first three Premier League starts last season have been followed by two goals and one assist in four matches in all competitions this term. Kane possesses excellent vision for such a young player, and has been a consistent scorer for every youth side at White Hart Lane.

Relatively unsuccessful loan spells at Championship clubs might have contributed to the lack of enthusiasm around Kane, but his impressive start in the Spurs senior side suggests that he raises his game when surrounded by better players.

Given that the Lilywhites didn’t bring in another forward over the summer, Kane will likely compete for the second-choice spot behind Emmanuel Adebayor with Roberto Soldado this season, and should benefit hugely from Mauricio Pochettino’s willingness to trust youngsters.

Which starlets are you most excited about watching in the Premier League in 2014? Who do you think are the Premier League best young players to day? Have your say by leaving a comment below or let us know on Twitter @JustFootball.