Five best academy players to emerge from EPL clubs in the last few years

Players like Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and the like have all emerged from the youth academy of some or the other team and have proven to be very accomplished players, making a name for themselves.

Here is a list of the top five youth players who have made an impact on their team and are expected to be the upcoming stars of their respected teams.

5. Chuba Akpom (Arsenal)

Akpom plays as a striker for Arsenal and the England U-19 team. He has been playing for Arsenal since he was 6 and signed his first professional contract with Arsenal in October 2012.

Just two months after signing, he was named in the first team squad for a match against Olympiakos in the Champions League. He has already made 2 appearances for Arsenal’s first team squad.

He came in as an early replacement for an injured Giroud in a match against Sunderland in the current season. Apart from his first team appearances, Akpom was also selected for Arsenal’s pre-season tour of Asia where he made two appearances and scored three goals.

Although he hasn’t had many opportunities in the first team squad until now, the pacy frontman has been doing well in the England U-19 squad as well with 6 goals from 8 appearances so far.

4. Ravel Morrison (West Ham)

LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 06: Ravel Morrison of West Ham charges upfield during the Barclays Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United at White Hart Lane on October 6, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Morrison, who previously played for Manchester United’s youth squad, was transferred to West Ham United in the winter transfer market of 2011-2012 season.

He was given out on loan to Birmingham City for the 2012-2013 season and made 30 appearances for them, scoring three goals. He has been doing quite well since he has come back to West Ham, scoring 4 goals in 8 appearances so far in the current season.

Deemed as a ‘brilliant footballer’ by Sir Alex Ferguson, he showed great skill in the youth squad at Old Trafford and is doing the same for The Hammers. No wonder United fans have been upset about him being let go by the club.

3. Ross Barkley (Everton)

Barkley joined Everton when he was 11 and entered the first team squad in the 2010-2011 season. He was loaned out to Leeds United for the 2012-2013 season and to Sheffield Wednesday for the 2011-2012 season.

He rejoined Everton in the current season and scored a goal on the opening day of the season against Norwich City. The match ended in a draw but Barkley was named the man of the match. He has scored 2 goals out of the 8 appearances he has made for Everton this season.

With such accolades coming his way already, no one can deny the fact that he’s likely to prove to be a great asset for Everton who have him on contract until 2016. He joined the senior squad of England national team in August 2013 and has already made an appearance this year as a substitute for Jack Wilshere in the World Cup qualifier match against Moldova which England won 4-0.

David Moyes and Jose Mourinho are also keen on signing him up and look forward to the winter transfer window.

2. Luke Shaw (Southampton)

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 28: Luke Shaw of Southampton in action during the Barclays Premier League match between Southampton and Crystal Palace at St Mary

Shaw joined Southampton at the age of 8 and entered their under-18 team at the age of 15. He plays as a left back for the first team squad of Southampton now.

His first team debut came in January 2012 at a young age of 16 in the FA Cup and he signed his professional contract the same year in May. Various clubs like Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City have been chasing after him ever since his debut during the winter transfer of 2012.

Southampton were never ready to release Shaw and declared that he was a big part of their future plans. Even Manchester United have grown interested in him in the current season. But the Saints just aren’t ready to give him up; they have signed a 5-year deal with him which would make the attacking left back stay at the club till 2018.

Shaw has often been compared to Gareth Bale, a former Southampton youth product. Although he hasn’t yet scored for Southampton, he has shown some exemplary skills in matches like the one against West Bromwich Albion which the Saints won.

1. Adnan Januzaj (Manchester United)

SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 05: David Moyes of Manchester United talks with Adnan Januzaj after victory in the Barclays Premier League match between Sunderland and Manchester United at Stadium of Light on October 5, 2013 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

Januzaj began his career at United at the age of 16 after playing for Belgian club Anderlecht. Currently he’s a part of the first team squad at the Old Trafford.

Januzaj came into the limelight after his magnificent performance against Sunderland last week. This was his first start for United wherein he scored two astounding goals, much to the horror of the Black Cat fans. He assured a great comeback for the Red Devils.

He showed a great form in the pre-season games of Manchester United’s first squad and was termed as one of the best players. Many big clubs like Barcelona, Chelsea and Real Madrid are already eyeing him on the basis of his debut start for United as his current contract with United ends with this season.

After the uproar against another former United youth academy star Pogba moving to Juventus in 2012, Moyes is under a lot of pressure by the board as well as the fans to keep the youngster at Old Trafford. It has been reported that Januzaj will receive a lucrative long-term contract from Moyes.

All the United fans have their fingers crossed that the deal goes through and they don’t lose another one of their emerging stars.