All teams loan out young players to help develop them, give them experience so that when they return, they are a more well-rounded player, ready to slot into the team.
As is seen with top clubs such as Chelsea, there are so many players on loan, even in the same league as themselves. Conor Gallagher has taken Premier League soccer by the scruff of the neck at Crystal Palace this season.
So here at Cupello we wanted to pick out a few of the stars in lower leagues that in a couple of years may become household names.
Keinan Davis
Nottingham Forest is the closest it has been to the Premier League for decades. A team that has shaped a large chunk of English soccer but has been tumultuous in recent decades.
But under Steve Cooper they have become a force to be reckoned with and no player represents this more than Keinan Davis. A strong, powerful striker but with intelligence to make the right decisions and play as part of a well-oiled machine.
Although his goal tally may not show the presence he possesses, it is his overall play that has made him a first-choice striker.
Aston Villa, his parent club, are unlikely to bring him home next season, but if Nottingham Forest gain promotion, he may just show them what they are missing.
Reda Khadra
The player has already got a Premier League debut for his parent club, Brighton, under his belt. But the ex-Borussia Dortmund academy product has been showing his attacking flair for Blackburn this season.
With 5 goals and 4 assists, he has shown that his trickery and speed, under the guidance of Tony Mowbray, can be channelled into impactful moments of play, providing goals when they matter.
With Brighton having another season where they lack goals and genuine attacking threat, it might be time for the 20-year-old to add another dimension to their attacking presence.
Levi Colwill
Chelsea’s academy seems to have the perfect formula, with each season producing the next young star.
Colwill, at 19, has shone at Huddersfield Town in the centre back position. His calmness and ball play has helped the team challenge for promotion.
With Rudiger leaving in the summer and doubts over the futures of Azpilicueta and Christensen, Chelsea will be needing reinforcements in defence. As the ownership of the club is still casting a shadow over what happens next, they may have to rely on bringing through players such as Colwill.
He may lineup alongside Trevor Chalobah, Chelsea academy graduate, who also gained valuable experience at Huddersfield.
Neco Williams
Neco Williams’ future seems bright, acting as an important squad player for Klopp’s Liverpool side last season.
This season, however, he has been able to gain valuable experience week-in-week-out as part of Fulham’s domination of the Championship. At right-back he has chipped in with assists and goals, earning him a starting place in the Welsh national team. He will be hoping to bring this form into the World Cup.
Although he has tied himself to Liverpool until 2025, he is unlikely to feature regularly when he is competing against arguably the best full-back in world soccer at the moment, Trent Alexander-Arnold.
It is likely that his loan will extend at Fulham next season, providing him with regular Premier League game time, but Liverpool must decide what’s next for this bright star, as he is simply too good to regularly sit on the bench.
Elliot Anderson
Joey Barton has recently compared Elliot Anderson to a young Maradona. Now it is wise to take what Barton says with a hefty heap of salt, but nonetheless the young player is making his mark on Bristol Rovers, scoring important goals in League Two.
As a Newcastle player, he is an interesting period for the club. As they look to make Newcastle a force to be reckoned with in European soccer under the recent Saudi ownership, how they progress their youth stars will be intriguing.
Top clubs around Europe have seen that an excellent academy, producing a constant crop of young stars is vital to sustained success on and off the pitch.
As Anderson is Newcastle’s fresh star, the progression of his career may be a sign of things to come for youth player at the club.
The jump from League Two to the Premier League is probably a leap too large for the player just yet, but Howe will be hoping he gets Championship experience next season and see what the future holds.
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