With the football world having been turned on its head by the massive summer spending of Manchester City, and the return of Real Madrid's Galactico philosophy, the transfer market has gone bonkers. Clubs are now paying insane prices for players.

But instead of blowing their entire transfer budget on a single signing Europe's top clubs have focused their attention on recruiting and nurturing the stars of the future.

Carl Blacker takes a look at ten of the Premier League's brightest young talents — those players poised to make a big impact this season.

Aaron Ramsey (18) – Arsenal

This highly talented midfielder caught the attention of Arsene Wenger while at Cardiff. The Frenchman, who never misses an opportunity to recruit young stars, signed him for £5-million in 2008. Ramsey is a real talent with the ball at his feet, possessing great vision and passing ability, combined with a cool temperament beyond his years. With the likes of Tomas Rosicky and Samir Nasri serving long spells on the sidelines due to injury, Ramsey looks set to feature strongly in the Arsenal team this season.

Rafael Da Silva (19) - Manchester United

Plucked from Brazilian side Fluminese along with twin brother Fabio and brought to Old Trafford in 2008, the energetic right back has made a big impression since his arrival. Challenging veteran Gary Neville, Wes Brown and John O'shea for the right-back slot, Rafael has everything you'd expect from the modern fullback. He likes to get forward, has pace and is not one to back out of a challenge. Rafael has all the attributes to take over from Neville and raid the right touchline at Old Trafford for years to come.

Jack Rodwell (18) – Everton

Everton have been very successful in producing talented youngsters in recent times — the likes of Wayne Rooney immediately spring to mind. Their latest hotshot hasn't enjoyed the same meteoric rise as his predecessor, but that isn't saying that he lacks in the talent department.

Although he is largely considered to be a future centre-back, Rodwell's versatility has seen him deployed as a defensive midfielder at Everton. The youngster has taken full advantage of his limited first team appearances, however, putting in impressive performances when given the opportunity. With Joleon Lescott recently sold to Manchester City and Phil Jagielka out injured, Everton look short of options at the back. David Moyes may have no option but to turn to his young prospect.

Jack Wilshere (17) – Arsenal

Yet another of Wenger fledgling talents, Jack Wilshere's emergence from the junior ranks to the first team has been nothing short of astonishing. The young Englishman with the world at his feet is blessed with sublime ball control, vision, and the ability to attack defenders with weaving runs, makes him the most exciting English talent in the game today and an Arsenal legend in the making. Despite his obvious talent, Wenger has not rushed his introduction into the first team and it seems his opportunities will be limited to Cup matches… for now.

Daniel Sturridge (19) – Chelsea

Sturridge made a somewhat surprising move to Chelsea this summer having spent most of his career at Manchester City, but with the new riches that City have acquired and their pursuit and surplus of striking options, he decided Stamford Bridge would be the best place for him to develop and get more game time.

Although he finds himself behind first-choice strike partners Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka, Sturridge has all the makings of a quality striker with pace, power, a good football brain, and most importantly, the ability to score goals.

Emiliano Insua (20) – Liverpool

The Argentinean left-back cemented his position in the Liverpool first team on the back of some solid displays at the back-end of last season. Deputising for the injury-prone Fabio Aurelio he made a seamless step up to Premier League football with his most noticeable performance against Arsenal at the Emirates. Strong defensively, a willingness to overlap on the flanks, and his ability to produce good delivery into the box, ensures Insua will continue to keep the likes of Dossena and even Fabio Aurelio out of the side.

Federico Macheda (18) - Manchester United

The tall Italian teenager burst onto the scene last year when he curled in a stunning strike against Aston Villa last year, a goal which virtually saved United's season and ensuring that the league trophy stayed at Old Trafford. Somewhat controversially snatched up from the Lazio academy, Mecheda uses his powerful physique to hold off defenders and has demonstrated his predatory instincts in and around the 18-yard area. Challenging the considerable talents of Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov for a first team slot will prove his biggest task this season and the young striker will be resigned to substitute appearances.

Kieran Gibbs (19) – Arsenal

Arsene Wenger has touted Gibbs as a future England left-back and not many people would disagree with the Frenchman — the man knows a thing or two when it comes to grooming future stars. Gibbs has blistering acceleration and like first choice left-back Gael Clichy, the teenager is blessed with fantastic athleticism. Gibbs is no stranger to first team action having filled in for Clichy when the Frenchman was sidelined last year. During those games the young speedster held his own against top opposition, but admittedly had a poor game against Manchester United in the Champions League semifinal. Despite that setback Gibbs is definitely one for the future.

Junior Stanislas (19) - West Ham

West Ham has long been a breeding ground for top talent. The list reads like a who's who of English football: Frank Lampard, Rio Ferdinand, Joe Cole and Jermain Defoe to name a few. The latest in a long line of fine footballing talent is Junior Stanislas a speedy left-sided midfielder who made his first team debut in March 2009. The powerful and pacey Stanislas is set to cement is place as a first team regular in Gianfranco Zola's side this season.

Fabian Delph (19) - Aston Villa

One of the hottest properties in England finally settled on a move to Aston Villa during the summer — for a rumoured fee of around £8-million. Delph, an England under-21 international, is a box-to-box midfielder, equally comfortable in defensive and attacking situations. Chances at Villa Park could be limited early on but with the departure of influential captain Gareth Barry to Manchester City, Martin O'Neill might be willing to unleash his wonder kid sooner rather than later.

  • Who did we miss? Leave your comments below!


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