As we approach the looming 2022/2023 Premier League campaign, it’s worth eyeing what young players have the opportunity to make a name for themselves this year and establish their talent in the most competitive league across Europe.
In this article, we will outline what youngsters under the age of 22 have the potential to flourish this season, as well as analyse what they will provide for their clubs and bring to the league over the next nine months.
🚨 Announce 2022/23 #PLFixtures 🚨
— Premier League (@premierleague) June 16, 2022
In no particular order, the Premier League Ones to Watch in 2022/23:
Brennan Johnson
Age: 21
Club: Nottingham Forest
Nationality: Wales
On the back of the best season in his career so far, Brennan Johnson will be looking to take the Premier League by storm the same way he did in the Championship last year.
Scoring in both legs of the playoff semi-finals meant he secured his boyhood club Nottingham Forest the tantalising opportunity of returning to the top flight for the first time since 1999 – and they succeeded.
Having been at the club since he was eight, Johnson didn’t entertain approaches this summer from the likes of Tottenham, Newcastle or Leicester, and instead pledged himself to Forest for a further four years, penning a new deal to fulfil his dream of representing his club in the top division.
After spending a season on loan at Lincoln City, in which he netted 11 goals and assisted five for the League One side, he was ready to fight and earn his place as a Forest starter in the 2021/2022 campaign – and earn it he did.
49 matches, 18 goals and 10 assists for the prolific Welshman across the season, meaning he achieved double G/A contributions despite being only 20 years old for the majority of the campaign.
He was awarded EFL Young Player of the Month in September 2021, EFL Championship Player of the Month in April 2022, and polished them off with the EFL Young Player of the Season for 21/22 – though, none of it would have compared to lifting the play-off final trophy at Wembley in front of the travelling Forest faithful.
As if his season couldn’t get any better, he was called up to represent his national team, Wales, numerous times, and played a part in securing the team’s place at the 2022 Qatar World Cup – their first time at the tournament since 1958.
The 21-year-old is skilful, speedy and a danger in front of goal. Premier League defenders will be working overtime trying to prepare their backline from being penetrated by the gifted forward.
Anthony Elanga
Age: 20
Club: Manchester United
Nationality: Sweden
A shining spark in a lacklustre season for Manchester United, Anthony Elanga delivered when he was called upon.
Thrown into the first team and expected to steady a sinking ship, the Swede ended the season having played 21 matches for the Red Devils, leading him to receive his first international call-up to the Sweden senior national team to partake in the country’s World Cup Qualifiers.
Despite missing a penalty in United’s fourth-round tie to Middlesbrough in the FA Cup, Elanga didn’t bury his head in the sand and was adamant to come back and avenge the loss.
Weeks later, he did exactly that, by providing a crucial comeback goal against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League Round of 16, giving United something positive to take back to Old Trafford.
He quickly became a favourite among United fans, and even commented on the privilege of hearing his chant belted around the faithful Stretford End.
The 20-year-old netted an 88th-minute goal against rivals Leeds United at Elland Road, securing a 4-2 win for his side, and celebrated by shushing the fiery Leeds supporters and pointing to the United badge.
Having shared updates to followers of his brutal pre-season workouts, it’s clear Elanga is going into this season determined to succeed, and ready to prove himself under new manager Erik ten Hag.
Ten Hag is building and implementing a force to be reckoned with in Manchester, and Anthony Elanga is a player that will leave it all on the pitch to take the three points.
Julian Alvarez
Age: 22
Club: Manchester City
Nationality: Argentina
A Copa America champion with his national side Argentina in 2021, it’s time for Julian Alvarez to be put to the test in the most competitive league across Europe. Given the signing of Erling Haaland to Manchester City, football fans are overlooking just what Alvarez will bring to the reigning Premier League champions.
Whilst people are considering Haaland to lead the 2022/2023 Golden Boot race, it’s worth noting that Alvarez once scored six goals in one match for his previous club River Plate – talk about prolific.
He was awarded top goal scorer throughout 2021 in the Argentine Primera Division and was named the South American Footballer of the Year. More recently, he was part of the Argentine squad that beat Italy to the UEFA Cup of Champions at Wembley Stadium.
Any young forward that has trained and played alongside Lionel Messi is heading straight to the top, and the 22-year-old has named the seven-time Ballon D’Or winner as his hero, saying: “He’s [Messi] been my idol since I was a kid,” as quoted by Sport Bible.
Alvarez hit double G/A figures in 2021: 20 goals and 12 assists in 35 league games. His evident goal-scoring ability with the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden and Jack Grealish surrounding him could make for upsetting viewing for rival fans and players.
Michael Olise
Age: 20
Club: Crystal Palace
Nationality: France
Sharp, skilful and suave – Michael Olise oozed class whenever he stepped onto the pitch for Crystal Palace last season.
The 20-year-old struggled in contention for a starting place in Patrick Vieira’s side and made only 12 starts across the season, then adding another 14 to his tally through substitutions.
Despite his limited game time and injury issues, he racked up just two goals and six assists. However, when Olise was on the pitch, he was involved in 44 per cent of the Eagles’ goals – achieving a higher percentage than main man Wilfried Zaha, as per FBref.
Even more remarkably, the youngster was ranked fifth in the assists return per 90 minutes table, one place behind Premier League Golden Boot winner Mohamed Salah.
The Frenchman then beat the likes of Premier League winners Kevin De Bruyne and Salah in the expected assists rankings, only falling short to Liverpool’s “assist king” Trent Alexander-Arnold.
When taking into account Olise’s lack of playing time against these regular starters, it’s extraordinary he was able to provide so much threat in such little time on the field.
The 2022/23 season gives Olise a chance to fight for his place in the starting eleven. His forward vision and wand of a left foot suit perfectly to the attacking style of play Vieira is trying to implement with this new look Palace team.
Djed Spence
Age: 21
Club: Middlesbrough (move to Tottenham Hotspur imminent)
Nationality: England
After playing a crucial role in Nottingham Forest’s promotion to the top flight, it’s no surprise that Antonio Conte has his sights set on Djed Spence from the moment the transfer window opened.
With Conte looking to bolster his new look squad ready for a demanding season ahead and with Champions League football secured, Spence has the potential to become a household name in 2022/23 working under one of the best managers in the game.
The U21 international secured a hat-trick of awards in March 2022; EFL Young Player of the Month, Championship Player of the Month and Championship Goal of the Month – outstanding achievements for a right-back of his age.
His ability to dribble forward and create attacks through the right-hand side will work hand-in-hand partnered with prolific goalscorers Harry Kane and Son Heung-min, who finished last season joint top goal-scorer in the league after being tied with Salah on the final day.
A wingback pairing of Spence and Ryan Sesegnon has the potential to tear through defences for years to come.
Djed Spence has just completed his medical in London. He’s gonna sign his long-term contract as Tottenham player, just waiting for final details and official contracts. Here we go confirmed. 🚨⚪️ #THFC
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 15, 2022
Middlesbrough will receive £12.5m fixed fee plus add-ons, bit less than £20m. pic.twitter.com/OJpS7dZq4k
Spence is young and eager to establish himself as one of the best in his position across Europe. Playing a role in this tantalising project Conte is building in North London will make for exhilarating viewing for neutrals – and not so exciting for fellow Premier League supporters.