Premier league clubs interested in Canadian prospect Jay Chapman

Jay Chapman in action. Source: MSUToday

Sunderland, Swansea, Aston Villa and Celtic are reportedly among the several clubs who are monitoring promising American college football prospect Jay Chapman.

The 20-year-old Canadian, who has a British father, has been playing spectacularly for Michigan State who have made it through to the NCAA College play-off quarter-finals. Chapman, an attacking midfielder, is a product of Toronto FC’s academy. He won 2014’s Midfielder of the Year title at the Men’s Soccer All-Big Ten teams awards.

He was a fixture in their starting line-up last year, starting all 23 games, and he also scored the fastest goal of the season after 13 seconds into a 3-0 win over Oakland in October 2013. Before joining Michigan, Chapman had represented his country at the Under-17 FIFA World Cup, and helped to guide Canada to a runner-up place in CONCACAF qualifying. He also helped Canada qualify for the FIFA under-17 World Cup for the first time since 1986.

Recently, he was also was named a semifinalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy as announced by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.

Here's a video of his playing style :

Here's what his head coach Damon Rensing said about him:" I truly believe that Jay is not only one of the best midfielders, but one of the top players in NCAA Division I soccer. To see Jay mature and grow both as a person as well as a player over the last three seasons has been very rewarding.There have been a lot of great players to wear the Spartan jersey in the modern era and Jay is one of them.Being named a Hermann semifinalist is a true recognition of Jay's individual performance . "

He a lanky midfielder. It's too early to say which position he can play best . He has quick feet and good vision for a pass in the final third. But the jump from American College games to games in the Barclays Premier League or Scottish Premier League is huge.

Having a promising style of play is one thing. So many young players possess it nowadays. Far too many youngsters have disappointed in recent times making football clubs reluctant to take risks. Sure enough, he has potential but can he raise his game to the expected standard? You can follow him on Twitter here.