Poll Break out year?

[red_maradona]

Which young player will be the surprise package this year and make it into the first team squad and do a Sterling/Flanno?

I have avoided the likes of Illori and Suso who aren't youngsters in the category of the ones mentioned below (hardly any first team action to date for anyone).

I'm going for Wilson (slightly ahead of Ibe) - v. speedy, technical, already playing at international level and less of a gamble to use out on the wide.

 

[peterhague]

I voted Rossiter, I'd be surprised if he doesn't get some appearances somewhere. I'd be surprised if most of the rest do. The season after might be more of an interesting year, there'd be a lot of promising players starting the season at 18-19 and with a reasonable chance of getting minutes.

It would be Ibe but I think he'll probably go on loan.

 

[red_maradona]

I voted Rossiter, I'd be surprised if he doesn't get some appearances somewhere. I'd be surprised if most of the rest do. The season after might be more of an interesting year, there'd be a lot of promising players starting the season at 18-19 and with a reasonable chance of getting minutes.

It would be Ibe but I think he'll probably go on loan.

I thought about Rossiter, but I think he is a CM, if so, there is a lot of competition ahead of him at this stage.

 

[red_maradona]

If you do vote someone else, it would be good to know who!

 

[mark1975]

What's happening with Teixeira?

 

[Modo]

Suso

 

[red_maradona]

What's happening with Teixeira?

thought about him, but thought he was too old to be seen as a youngster, by all means put him down as someone else if you like - edit he's one year younger than coutinho... and 2 yrs older than sterling.

 

[peterhague]

I thought about Rossiter, but I think he is a CM, if so, there is a lot of competition ahead of him at this stage.

Well he'll be given minutes I think, as opposed to winning them. He's a favoured prospect who's been on an accelerated path through the youth teams, so I imagine they'll want him to get a few appearances somewhere.

Like I say, though, I reckon the following season would be more realistic for all of them. There's a whole host of players who'd be at a good age then:

Rossiter
Wilson
Kent
Ojo
Jones
Sinclair
Canos
Chirivella
Brannagan
Phillips

I'd guarantee some of those lads will make it with us. It's hard to say which, but all of them have the potential, and on average I might expect 2 or 3 to fulfill it.

 

[Leo]

The signing of Markovic will probably hinder the chance of Ibe seeing much action in the league this season but he'll more than likely get his chances in the cup games.
I like him though the raw potential is endless and it will be interesting to see how he's developed over the summer.

 

[Frogfish]

What's happening with Teixeira?

Indeed. My choice.

 

[hamstrung_pigeon]

Well he'll be given minutes I think, as opposed to winning them. He's a favoured prospect who's been on an accelerated path through the youth teams, so I imagine they'll want him to get a few appearances somewhere.

Like I say, though, I reckon the following season would be more realistic for all of them. There's a whole host of players who'd be at a good age then:

Rossiter
Wilson
Kent
Ojo
Jones
Sinclair
Canos
Chirivella
Brannagan
Phillips

I'd guarantee some of those lads will make it with us. It's hard to say which, but all of them have the potential, and on average I might expect 2 or 3 to fulfill it.

I agree with the more realistic timeline expectation you've stated (i.e. 2015/2016). For some, e.g. Rossiter and Ibe, it might be that season when they get more league games instead of just cup games, but for others like Sinclair, Wilson, etc. I think it might be another season or even two after that (several of those guys are still about 20 by then).

With the newcomers to the first team and barring any departures like Lucas and Borini in the new season, I think it'll be hard for Ibe and Rossiter to get any league minutes, as Rodgers will want to give minutes to the incumbents, the newcomers and the fringe players.

CM1: Gerrard, Can, Allen, Lucas
CM2: Henderson, Allen, Lallana, Can, Suso, Teixeira
CM3/AM: Lallana, Coutinho, Sterling, Markovic, Suso, Teixeira
WF: Sterling, Lallana, Markovic, Borini, Suso, Teixeira, Ibe
CF: Sturridge, Lambert, Borini, Sterling

If Lucas and Borini leave, then maybe one or two openings will open up, but that's if we don't spend big to replace them. I'm assuming Coady leaves, but if he doesn't, then that's another name in the CM1 and CM2 slots.

p.s. I still like Dunn a lot, and I hope he trains well and plays out of his skin in the pre-season games, and earns a spot in the senior team. Or at least gets a loan to a Championship side to show what he can do.

 

[Frogfish]

I think Lucas and Borini will both be gone before the season starts. So Rossiter could see sub appearances. Not sure about Suso - he needs to prove he deserves his place in pre-season. Very limited time for Teixeira & Ibe methinks.

 

[TSD]

I voted McLaughlin, not because I think he has the biggest chance of breaking out but rather I hope he does. We desperately need an upgrade on Johnson and why not someone rated from the academy. Will save us a bundle too.

 

[moneymay81]

ibe just cant see anyone else breaking in ibe will prob go on loan though so god knows

 

[peterhague]

I agree with the more realistic timeline expectation you've stated (i.e. 2015/2016). For some, e.g. Rossiter and Ibe, it might be that season when they get more league games instead of just cup games, but for others like Sinclair, Wilson, etc. I think it might be another season or even two after that (several of those guys are still about 20 by then).

With the newcomers to the first team and barring any departures like Lucas and Borini in the new season, I think it'll be hard for Ibe and Rossiter to get any league minutes, as Rodgers will want to give minutes to the incumbents, the newcomers and the fringe players.

CM1: Gerrard, Can, Allen, Lucas
CM2: Henderson, Allen, Lallana, Can, Suso, Teixeira
CM3/AM: Lallana, Coutinho, Sterling, Markovic, Suso, Teixeira
WF: Sterling, Lallana, Markovic, Borini, Suso, Teixeira, Ibe
CF: Sturridge, Lambert, Borini, Sterling

If Lucas and Borini leave, then maybe one or two openings will open up, but that's if we don't spend big to replace them. I'm assuming Coady leaves, but if he doesn't, then that's another name in the CM1 and CM2 slots.

p.s. I still like Dunn a lot, and I hope he trains well and plays out of his skin in the pre-season games, and earns a spot in the senior team. Or at least gets a loan to a Championship side to show what he can do.

I don't think Dunn will make it here. I used to think he would but that was when he was playing as a Gerrard style midfielder, where I thought he seemed to have everything. But as a winger or a striker I just don't think he'll have enough natural ability to compete with the best. Whatever, though, he desperately needs some professional football this season.

As I said, with Rossiter I think he's a young player who's clearly been earmarked as a future first teamed, and I think it's with that in mind that they might try and find him experience. Sooner or later that'll happen IMO, its just whether he's physically ready or not next season.

 

[TSD]

I don't think Dunn will make it here. I used to think he would but that was when he was playing as a Gerrard style midfielder, where I thought he seemed to have everything. But as a winger or a striker I just don't think he'll have enough natural ability to compete with the best. Whatever, though, he desperately needs some professional football this season.

Can Dunn be converted back into a midfielder I wonder. Or has the position been trained out of him.

 

[hamstrung_pigeon]

Like you, I thought Dunn was going to make it as a CM when I first saw him - looked like he had the tools to do the job, was a commander in midfield and as you said, looked like he could turn into a Gerrard-type player. Maybe it's that impression which still drives me to yearn rather than believe that he makes it.

The Dunn conversion was a rather odd experiment in that he was initially pushed up to fill a gap in the U-18s due to injuries I think, but then when he got to the U-21s, he never got switched back to the midfield role, as I think Coady and Roddan played there mostly. I think at least he's got one thing going for him when played as a striker though, and that's his strong shot and his willingness to shoot from anywhere when given the chance.

Rossiter's going to be something special hopefully. Can't wait to see him make his break through.

 

[peterhague]

Can Dunn be converted back into a midfielder I wonder. Or has the position been trained out of him.

Who knows. Could be that I'm completely wrong, that he never would have been a midfielder.

But to me that looks like his position. He's a really good all-rounder, great passer, great shot from distance, and very energetic and dynamic. And, funnily enough, the one thing we don't really have in the senior midfield.

 

[peterhague]

Adam Phillips is apparently travelling with the first team for tomorrow's game. Only 16 so that's a bit of a surprise.

He's a gifted CM in the Jamie Redknapp mould.

 

[ryankearney6291]

Jordan Williams at CB is a player who I expect to start making some real noise this year. I don't think we're going to sell Borini and I think he's going to become beloved in the dirk Kuyt mold by the fans and score some big goals. Suso, ibe, texiera, and maybe Rossiter are the only ones who could get a game this year.