Source: Daily_Mail
Young diamonds in the lower leagues: Alan Pardew's guide to the rising stars
The new Coca-Cola Football League season starts today and Fabian Delph’s £8m transfer from Leeds to Aston Villa shows there is talent beyond the Barclays Premier League.
Harry Redknapp, famous for his wheeling and dealing, says his best buy was the £200,000 he paid to take Southend’s Peter Butler to West Ham, while Bobby Gould captured Stuart Pearce — a parttime electrician — for Coventry after seeing one ferocious tackle.
So where do clubs find the players who could emerge as outstanding performers today?
With the increased tax rate making it difficult to attract foreign talent, the top clubs are again looking to the lower leagues for their raw talents.
New Southampton boss Alan Pardew selects the stars to watch out for in the season leading up to the World Cup finals.
JONJO SHELVEY Charlton. Age: 17
Jonjo Shelvey
Romford-born attacking midfielder picked up by Charlton after leaving Arsenal. He is the youngest player to appear for Athletic, making his debut at 16 years 59 days, when Pardew was manager at The Valley. He captained England Under 16s to their triumph in the Victory Shield. He has scored four goals in 22 appearances.
Pardew says: He has an outstanding, imaginative mind and fantastic vision. Like Tiger Woods hitting a shot towards the green, Jonjo can play a pass with similar accuracy. He can be looking one way, but be aware of movement on the other side of the pitch and deliver the pass. Watch out for this boy. He’s special.
ANGELO BALANTA QPR. Age: 19
Angelo Balanta
COLOMBIAN forward who has come through the ranks at QPR and has scored two goals in 13 games since his debut in 2007. Balanta had three months on loan at Wycombe last season, scoring three goals in 11 games.
Pardew says: He’s a wide player, so don’t judge him on his goals record. He seems to have found his body and is learning his capabilities. He is a speed machine, lightning quick and has good technique. He will be a big player for QPR this season and I can see him making big waves.
ADAM LALLANA Southampton. Age: 21
Adam Lallana
A GRADUATE of the Saints academy, like Theo Walcott and Gareth Bale. In 2004-05 he had an operation to correct an irregular heartbeat. Scored on his England U18 debut and progressed to U21 squad.
Pardew says: I’m looking forward to working more with this lad, he’s going to be important to my team and will be given a platform to play. He isn’t particularly blessed with outstanding pace, but watch out for his accurate delivery and he can go either way from out wide against a full back.
JOE LEDLEY Cardiff. Age: 22
Joe Ledley
AT Cardiff since he was nine and made his debut in 2004. The Wales midfielder guided his team to the FA Cup final in 2008, scoring the winner in the semi-final. West Ham and Stoke have had bids rejected.
Pardew says: He has played for club and country at centre midfield, left midfield and left back. Of all these players here, Ledley is the one most ready for the step up. Cardiff have done well to keep him despite Premier League clubs’ interest. He can play and pass and he can run a game.
VICTOR MOSES Crystal Palace. Age: 18
Victor Moses
NIGERIAN-born England U19 striker who came through the Crystal Palace academy. He has scored five times in 47 appearances for Palace since making his debut against Cardiff in 2007.
Pardew says: This is a big year for the lad. Has he nailed down his game yet? He has talent, he is quick and is growing in strength and this could be his season. He will get a run of games and he will show what he can do. Palace fans have been excited about him for some time — and with good reason.
ROSS JENKINS Watford. Age: 18
Ross Jenkins
HE is a natural central midfield player. The Watford-born academy graduate scored one goal in 37 games last season.
Pardew says: Like Shelvey, Jenkins has yet to find his best role in the team. Midfield players develop. I had Michael Carrick at West Ham and the previous manager wanted him to play further forward, but I saw him as a sitter, whose passing could change the play. Jenkins will grow into his best position as he gets older. He has good talent and is a good size.
NATHANIEL CLYNE Crystal Palace. Age: 18
Nathaniel Clyne
ANOTHER product of Crystal Palace’s youth academy. Clyne was a regular last season and appeared 26 times for Neil Warnock’s side after breaking into the team.
Pardew says: This lad is quick, gets forward and can defend, too. He will have seen what has happened to Sheffield United’s two full backs, who have stepped up into the Premier League with Tottenham and he should be thinking: ‘I would like some of that.’ I like his movement and his touch and he seems to have a cool head.
JACK COLBACK Ipswich. Age: 19
Jack Colback
At Sunderland since he was 11. Central midfielder who has yet to make his debut but has joined Ipswich on loan until January.
Pardew says: I wanted to bring him to Southampton, and I know Steve Bruce has high hopes for him. We seem to be blessed with good young midfielders and he will have a good season at Portman Road under Roy Keane’s guidance. Look out for this lad, because I expect him to enjoy a successful year before returning to stake his claim to play in the Premier League.
LEWIS McGUGAN Nottm Forest. Age: 20
Lewis McGugan
A 6ft 2in central midfielder from Forest’s academy. Recovered from an injury that limited his appearances last season; now big things are expected of him. Has scored 13 goals in 60 league games.
Pardew says: He’s a talented player who can run a game. Likes to get on the ball, gets up and down and is a good height for a player of his type. He will enjoy working for Billy Davies and is sure to get a platform to play in the way Forest fans expect.
