KNOW THESE NAMES

IKE SPORT REPORT OFFICIAL MLS MOCK SUPERDRAFT 2018

Fresh off scouting the MLS Combine in Orlando, Chief Networking Officer, Connor Maki, reveals his 2018 MLS Mock SuperDraft. The talent pool features elite playmakers led by Joao Moutinho and Chris Mueller, in addition to stud defenders such as Tomas Hillard Arce. For a complete rundown as to how the Top 10 will shake out, continue reading the article below.

Pick 10: Real Salt Lake select Ricky Lopez-Espin, Creighton University (Senior Contract)

One of the most physically gifted players at the combine with surprisingly solid feet. Lopez stands around 6 foot 3, 200 lbs, but can move and change directions with the best of them. He is very comfortable on the ball and able to beat defenders off the dribble. He is also a very dangerous player on crosses and set pieces, having showing us this week at the combine that he can score a goal with his head. Lopez will look to learn from Mike Petke and hope to add a couple tallies next year.

Pick 9: New England Revolution select Christopher Lema, Georgetown University

The Revolution should firstly thank the New York Redbulls for not Homegrown Lema because what a steal he is. A natural left footer, in the combine he showed qualities of the best defensive midfielder in the draft class. His ability to read the game, break up play, and connect passes over distance is what separates him from others. The only question with Lema is: is he physically ready to step into an MLS game? In the right system he could provide a perfect complement to Scott Caldwell in the midfield and send early balls into great attackers giving New England the time and space to run at defenders.

Pick 8: New England Revolution select Ema Twumasi, Wake Forest University (Generation Adidas)

Born in Ghana and like Attuahane, Twumasi is a very dangerous player on the wing. His ability to create space for himself and separate from defenders with pace, makes Ema the missing piece the Revolution have been looking for. Friedel will look to add Twumasi to an already very talented group of attackers. He could become a handful in the MLS.

Pick 7: Montreal Impact select Andre Morrison, Hartford University 

Andre is the player who helped himself the most by playing and being at combine. After being at Harford University there were questions of whether he could compete against the best players in country. He certainty answered those questions this week. He was a commanding force in the back dominating the majority of forwards who came into his area on the field. He used his strong tackling ability and physical to win almost all the balls that came his way. He also had the goal of the combine with a sensational volley into the upper corner. Montreal could end up getting the steal of the draft by having a very matured center back ready from day one. High upside.

Pick 6: Orlando City select Tomas Hillard Arce, Stanford University (Senior Contract)

The 3-time national champion and captain for the Stanford Cardinals provides extra stability in the back for Orlando City. At the moment, Orlando needs talent. A former forward turned defender, Hillard Arce looks the most ready to step and make an impact right away. You know what you will get with this player: hard nose tackler, leader, and a physical presence in back. Arce needs to get better at playing under pressure, but I see him developing nicely alongside the highly experienced international players on the Orlando City roster.

Pick 5: Minnesota United select Mason Toye, Indiana University (Generation Adidas)

Here Minnesota will look to add another attacking piece that will help lighten the load for Christian Ramirez and Abu Danladi. With this in mind, the BIG TEN Freshman of the year fits the mold. Toye has great stature (6 foot 3 inches and around 180 pounds) and is a pure number 9. Toye has the natural striker mentality to always be around the goal. Adrian Heath is known for developing young strikers like Cyle Larin (who was recently sold to the massive Turkish club, Besitkas) and turning them into All-Stars. There are many similarities between Toye and Larin which is why Minnesota are so intrigued by Toye’s scoring ability despite Toye being one of the youngest players at the combine.

Pick 4: Montreal Impact select Jon Bakero, Wake Forest University (Senior Contract)

The MAC Hermann Trophy winner (best player in college) can either play as far as the number 9 or drop behind the central striker as the 10. Bakero, being originally from Spain and having a Spanish International and Barcelona player as a father, possesses qualities (similar to Joao) that just couldn’t be taught in America. Bakero has great vision and is very comfortable in possession as well as taking players of the dribble. Montreal will continue to develop Bakero hoping to mold him into their future number 10.

Pick 3: DC United select Francis Atuahene, University of Michigan (Generation Adidas)

One of the most exciting players to watch in this year’s draft class. Originally from Ghana, Francis has some of those WOW qualities that cannot be taught. His combination of speed and confidence to take defenders off the dribble is valuable and DC United could use a player like that on their roster. Having done his fair share of demoralizing to the University of Maryland, it’s fair to say DC United have seen enough this week and over his years at the University of Michigan to feel comfortable making this pick. The only question that surrounds Francis is whether he can stay healthy or not, if healthy he will certainty provide an attacking spark that will help DC.

Pick 2: LA Galaxy select Christopher Mueller, University of Wisconsin (Senior Contract)

This is a tricky spot for the Galaxy because there is a lot talent available, but the Galaxy would rather save an international roster spot for a foreign established player. Mueller did something in college that has not been done in the last decade by providing 20 assists, and brought an irrelevant Badger program into the national spotlight. The best thing Mueller has going for him is his confidence which is unmatched by anyone in the country. His ability to pick out the right pass and beat someone ofd the dribble will certainly open things up for the Galaxy in the attacking third. Mueller also provides the best dead ball in the entire draft which should certainty help him stay on the field. I deem Mueller as the Dark horse in this year’s class because even with all of his success on the field, managers and scouts are still overlooking him. I wouldn’t be surprised if Mueller is passed up at 2, but don’t be confused, he is the best American in this year’s draft.

Pick 1: LAFC select Joao Moutinho, Akron University (Generation Adidas)

Joao was one of the youngest at combine, but certainly didn’t show it. The Sporting Lisbon Academy product showed well throughout his first season at Akron, and solidified himself as the consensus best player in the draft. His stature of 6 feet, ~160 pounds may seem unappealing for a central defender, but that played no part in his ability to lock down some of the best forwards around the nation. His composure on the ball, ability to pick the right pass, and crunching tackling ability makes it very easy for new LAFC head Coach Bob Bradley to select him here. It’s evident Joao passes the eye test. I could tell early on in Orlando that he learned the right way to play the game in one of the best academy’s in the world. The only thing that might steer Bradley away from selecting Joao with the number one spot is that LAFC would have to use an international roster spot on him. Even with that being said, it is an easy selection for the LAFC staff.

10 Straight - Leicester City's Vardy Scoring at INCREDIBLE Pace

To the top of the table they go—With his goal against Newcastle on Saturday, Leicester City Forward Jaime Vardy has managed to score in 10 consecutive English Premier League matches. That mark evens the Leicester man with Ruud van Nistelrooy, leaving him two goals shy of the 70-year-old record of goals in 12 consecutive matches.

But who is Jaime Vardy? He’s not young—competing this season at 28-years-old. He doesn’t play for a big club. As of 2012 the largest club he played for was…Fleetwood Town. Now, he is in contention to be England’s #9 in the upcoming Euro Championships.  Where in the world did all this come from?

At the start of the 2015-16 campaign, critics and opponents alike didn’t view Vardy as much of a threat; He bagged 8 goals last year over 34 appearances. So what.  Who could have predicted that Vardy would be into double-digits before Thanksgiving? Vardy, too, is a bit surprised at his improbable start.

“Every day I have to keep pinching myself,” Vardy said. “ but the most important thing is that we got three points and kept a clean sheet.”

Along similar lines of lunacy, Leicester City are at the top of the table, following their convincing 3-0 win Saturday against Newcastle. Take that in for a second. Leicester City, spurned-on by Vardy, are leading the English Premier League. Granted, it is still November, but who cares? Leicester fans will be able to talk about this start for years to come.

Although Leicester won’t likely compete for the title or a spot in Europe this season, they’re primed to finish in the top-half of the table. From a morale standpoint, a mid-table finish for Leicester would be huge. It can go a long way in keeping studs like Vardy from joining bigger clubs. But speaking financially, it would be even bigger. Finishing in the top-10 would be a £6 million increase for Leicester on their award winnings from a year ago. Currently, the three teams directly below Leicester in the tables—Manchester United, Manchester City and Arsenal—have a combined market value of over £900 million, so any sizeable increase in funds would be a welcome bonus.

With the hot boots of Vardy leading the way for a strong and resilient core, Leicester look to continue their astonishing start as they approach the second half of the season, and Saturday’s match against Manchester United will go a long way in showing their intentions and capabilities. A positive result would be immense for Leicester, as they look to continue the form that placed them at the top of the Premier League table. When the strikers are scoring goals, anything is possible. 

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8 Great Yanks

Ike writer Keaton Walkowski continues our "Know These Names" series by taking an in-depth look at 8 rising yankee starlets whose development should play a large part in the future of the USMNT. Each weekday, a new player will be revealed. 

Gedion Zelalem (18) - Midfield - Arsenal (Barclays Premier League)

 Next in the line of super-hyped potential superstars is Gedion Zelelam. German-born to Ethiopian parents, Zelalem spent his teen years in the Washington DC area, playing club ball in Bethezda where he was scouted and signed by Arsenal. With Arsenal, Zelalem, only 18, has appeared once for the senior Gunners in a 2013-14 Champions League match against Galatasary. He too had a fantastic U-20 World Cup, showing well consistently throughout along with showing some glances of brilliance. In his play with the Gunners U-19’s Zelalem has impressed already, nabbing a nifty assist and scoring a cheeky goal in a preseason tournament in Durban. His play has not gone unnoticed, as he’s received rave reviews from members of the English press - even some calling for him to get a chance with Arsenal’s first team. He has since joined the Scottish Championship side Rangers on loan until January, an opportunity that should allow him first team minutes so crucial to his development. Although he’s been called the next Fabregas, we still need to -again take a breathe- and give the kid a chance to develop into the star the English media and scouts believe he’ll be.

Check back tomorrow for the next unveiling on our list of 8 Great Yanks.

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Follow Keaton Walkowski on Twitter: @KeatonWalkowski

Julian Green (20) - Midfield - Bayern Munich (German Bundesliga)

Preceding Mr. American hype-machine 2015 is American hype-machine 2014. About a year and a half ago, Julian Green was the high school sweetheart that stole our collective breaths. But unbelievably, Green chose us for prom in the form of committing his international future to the United States. Last spring, we were in dreamland; Here is a kid who is a prized prospect at Bayern, yeah BAYERN, a top team in the world, and he’s playing for us. Last summer, he scored in the World Cup—at 18 years old— and we were sold. Hook line and sinker. Unfortunately for many fans, our dreams came crashing down to Earth last year. As an 18 year-old who came up for Bayern, Green saw no time as a 19 year-old. Even once loaned out to Hamburg, his play and attitude hurt him as he was eventually sent to HSV’s reserve team. Following the early termination of his loan and an up and down summer, some members of the American media are calling "Freddie Adu". How can this be? Just a year ago he was our savior, now he’s our goat? Everyone need to relax. Green is only 20. Klinsmann only called him up to the World Cup to entice Green into switching allegiance to the States. He is still a developing prospect and people need to treat him as such. Give the lad some time to develop and I’m willing to wager all this “Freddie Adu” talk will disappear as people’s nerves begin to calm. Julian Green boldly opted to stay and fight for a place at Bayern -an admirable stance but a tough one - he will begin the year with Bayern’s U-23’s.

Check back tomorrow for the next unveiling on our list of 8 Great Yanks.

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John Anthony Brooks (22) - Central Defender - Hertha Berlin (German Bundesliga)

From youngest to oldest, Brooks is still incredibly young at only 22, but what a whirlwind these last few years have been for him. He broke into the first team at Hertha Berlin, made his senior international debut, played and scored in a World Cup, anchored the back line in the Gold Cup. As mentioned before, this is all before his 23rd birthday. While the accomplishments are impressive, it has not been all daisy for the German-born American. His career to date resembles an entertaining ride at Busch Gardens, seeing its peaks along with its valleys. While the high’s have been high, its lows taking similar shape to Niagara Falls: being called immature by his Hertha coach, eventually getting benched, his poor play in the air, suffering from malignant bouts of ball-watching and culminating in his play at this summer’s Gold Cup have been the most notable. The lad’s only 22, it’s expected he will make mistakes and struggle with consistency. As the Center Back ages, his consistency will increase and his strong form will shine brighter and longer. This will be an important year for Mr. Brooks. Time to show his true colors. Hopefully, for the American and Hertha fans, it will be the form he saw in June, where he anchored the American backline in victories over Germany and Holland.

Check back tomorrow for the next unveiling on our list of 8 Great Yanks.

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Follow Keaton Walkowski on Twitter: @KeatonWalkowski

Christian Pulisic (16) - Forward - Borrusia Dortmund (german Bundesliga)

Coming in as the youngest on this list, 16 year old Christian Pulisic is entrenching himself amongst the worlds best at Borussia Dortmund. This past season, Pulisic played with their U-17’s, making eight appearances, notching 6 goals and 3 assists. In addition to his club, Pulisic has been a stalwart with the US U-17’s as well, making 27 appearances this cycle and banging in 18 goals. The US will lean on Pulisic come October when the U-17 World Cup begins in Chile. Jürgen Klopp (Former Manager at Borussia Dortmund) has been keeping a keen eye on Pulisic, with the American appearing several times in senior team training. Klopp has expressed his excitment in Pulisic’s developement and potential.

"Christian is not misbehaving in intensive training on confined spaces". And that was a "real quality feature," said Klopp to Goal.com.

The excitement and pressure are high for this youngster, but he's proven so far he can handle it. 2015-16 will be a big year for the Dortmund lad, let's see how it plays out. 

Check back tomorrow for the next unveiling on our list of 8 Great Yanks.

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Follow Keaton Walkowski on Twitter: @KeatonWalkowski

Rubio Rubin (19) - Forward - FC Utrecht (Dutch Eredivisie)

Following the current trend, Rubin made the list in part because of his tremendous performance in this spring’s U-20 World Cup, scoring two goals—including the winner against Colombia— and notching one assist. Rubin was dynamic on the wing for the States, always looking a threat. He has also begun to scratch the surface at the senior level, making three appearances to date. In addition to international play, he is coming alive for his club team. Controlling the wing for FC Utrecht in Holland, Rubin broke into the first team in 2014, and went on to appear 28 times, scoring 3 and tossin’ 6 dimes. This year’s edition of the Eerdevise looks to be a great one for Rubin, as his role and expectations expand.

Check back tomorrow for the next unveiling on our list of 8 Great Yanks.

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Follow Keaton Walkowski on Twitter: @KeatonWalkowski

Cameron Carter-Vickers (17) - Central Defender - Tottenham Hotspur (Barclays Premier League)

English born to an American father, Cameron Carter-Vickers has emerged as one of the brightest prospects in England. In fact, the 17 year old was listed in The Telegraph: Top 35 Hottest Prospects in English Football. He too spent the summer in New Zealand at the U-20 World Cup for the US, and was a rock for the States. Cool, calm and composed was Carter-Vickers as he handled all the pressure on him. A member of Tottenham, Carter-Vickers captains their U-21 squad and is being eyed for first team action in the near future. He plays a position the USMNT so desperately need stability at, which will likely result in opportunities in the coming years. Although it’s premature to link Carter-Vickers to senior team action, he deserves to be involved in Olympic qualifying.

Check back tomorrow for the next unveiling on our list of 8 Great Yanks.

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Follow Keaton Walkowski on Twitter: @KeatonWalkowski

Emerson Hyndman (19) - Midfielder - Fulham (English Championship)

The Fulham man has achieved consistent first team minutes for the championship side at a mere 19 years of age. Although he didn’t score for the Cottagers, Hyndman routinely passed with an 80 percent completion percentage. He also had a successful campaign at the U-20 World Cup, scoring twice and dominating the midfield over stretches of the tournament, facilitating a great deal of the American offense. While proficient at the under 20 level, Hyndman has made one appearance for the senior national team and will surely be part of the U-23 team, as they build towards the 2016 Olympics in Rio. Entering the final year of his contract with Fulham, Hyndman has chosen not to sign an extension, and interest from top leagues in Spain, Germany, and the Netherlands further speculation that the young American will look to take on a new challenge soon.

Check back tomorrow for the next unveiling on our list of 8 Great Yanks.

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Follow Keaton Walkowski on Twitter: @KeatonWalkowski

Zack Steffen (20) - GoalKeeper - SC Freiburg (German Bundesliga)

One thing the US has always been apt in developing are keepers: Howard, Freidel, Keller Miola, the list goes on. Steffan is next in line in the fraternity of excellent US keepers. Most recently in the FIFA Under 20 World Cup, Steffan performed admirably and was arguably the Americans’ most outstanding player. He was the main catalyst of their Round of 16 win over the favored Colombians, including his save on a late-game penalty, cementing the victory. Steffan excelled throughout the tournament, collecting 16 total saves while maintaining an efficient 80 percent save percentage. After leading the University of Maryland to the College Cup final, Steffan graduated to the likes of SC Freiburg in the Bundesliga, but he might not be there for long, having been scouted by both Inter Milan and AS Roma. The youngster will be a name to follow this fall in Olympic qualifying, as he will push Cody Cropper for the U-23 starting position between the sticks.

Check back tomorrow for the next unveiling on our list of 8 Great Yanks.

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Top 10 EPL Starlets

Ike writer Alexandre Labrecque kicks off our series "Know These Names" by taking an in-depth look at 10 rising starlets in the English Premier League. Each weekday, a new player will be revealed.

Harry Kane (21) - Striker - Tottenham Hotspur

Kane exploded onto the scene in 2014/2015—seemingly out of nowhere to the average fan. Many have kept an eye on the newly minted senior England international for the past few years, but even the most optimistic observers couldn't have seen this performance coming.

Harry Kane entered the 14/15 season with 3 goals in the Premier League to his name, and 17 in his 4 year senior career, making the 21 league goals he scored for Spurs so astounding. While this tied a club record, Kane also became the first Spurs player to net 30 goals in all competitions since 91-92. He won the PFA Young player of the year award and was also named to the PFA team of the year. 

It was not only the number of goals that stood out, but the variety in which he scored the goals, and the fact that they came in a long run of tremendous form that lasted for months after starting the season as an afterthought in the Spurs attack. Kane was equally deadly with possession, in the air, and moving without the ball to get in position to take advantage of rebounds. The boy from Tottenham, after coming through rival Arsenal's youth system, has a chance to be one of the most loved players at any club in recent memory. There is nothing like a success story from your neighborhood to create a fan darling.

In addition to his club success, Kane has raised international expectations for an English nation desperately looking for the next great striker of their beloved national team. On March 27, he netted his first goal for the 3 Lions in a Euro qualifier against Lithuania only 80 seconds after replacing Wayne Rooney in the 2nd half.

All eyes will be on the young star next season, as many still wonder if he can keep up the form or is simply a one hit wonder. There will be no shortage of suitors for his signature if he can maintain this level of play, with Kane personally dispelling rumors of a move to Manchester United. Can the local connection be enough to keep him in North London? Or would the allure of regular Champions League football lead him to move on? Kane has already matched the best season Gareth Bale had for the club, and that may be just the beginning.

Check back tomorrow for the next unveiling on our list of the top 10 starlets in the EPL 

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Raheem Sterling (20) - Winger - Liverpool (for Now?)

Raheem Sterling burst onto the EPL scene as a teen prodigy for the Mercyside club. He entered his 3rd full season as a regular in 2014-15 after scoring 10 goals in all competitions in his breakout season at the tender age of 19. The previous campaign, alongside the deadly combo of Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge, Sterling helped Liverpool come within a Gerrard slip of winning the League, but still returning the team to their place in the Champions League.

With the offseason departure of Suarez to Barcelona, and the injuries to Sturridge that cost the latter almost the entire season, Sterling was most often left with the task of being Liverpool’s primary creative force. He displayed dazzling ball skills; moving through tight situations in a manner rarely seen. In spite of his young age and far less team support, Sterling actually managed one more goal this past season while taking the brunt of the fans disappointment that came from competing for a title, to fighting to remain in European competition altogether.

Many criticize his lack of finishing touch and claim that his potential is thus limited. While his finishing needs work, Sterling compares rather favorably to Eden Hazard at the same age. While at Lille at the ages of 19 and 20, Hazard managed exactly 1 more goal in all competitions over those two seasons. Eden also appeared in 106 matches, compared to 85 for Sterling over that stretch. They both lacked the final finishing touch, as many eventually great offensive players do at that age. Both possess great pace, have rare dribbling skills, create chances out of nothing, and are unfazed by lack of support and being the focus of every opponent’s defensive attention.

It is important to remember, that unlike Hazard, who had to adjust to the English game after breaking out with 22 goals for Lille at age 21, Sterling has spent his teen years in the League. Facing the realization that Liverpool have little stability with the future up in the air, no Champions League, and an inability to attract top level players to the club (As seen in last summers failure to lure Alexis Sanchez, and this summer’s miss on Dutch starlet and Eredivisie player of the year Memphis Depay) as well as their unwise spending of the proceeds from the loss of Suarez, there was little reason for the lad to take an extension at Liverpool, when he is definitely wanted by the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea who, especially the latter, offer all of the above.

Sterling took a beating from the clubs fans, who, like jilted lovers, are now claiming he isn't wanted anyway, and they are better off without him. Some in the media have also jumped on the kid as if he owes his future to Liverpool, or is not good enough to take such a stance.

Time will tell where he lands. It is reasonable to expect Sterling to remain in England, but staying at Liverpool no longer seems to be a realistic possibility. A fantastic opportunity for Sterling to grow would be at Chelsea, where they have a much more settled situation in both the manager, and in a core of young, talented players committed to remaining at the club while. Additionally, the Blues lack a true counterpart to Hazard on the right wing of Jose's 4-3-2-1. Having Fabregas behind to distribute to a foursome of Costa, Hazard, Sterling, and Oscar would be a spectacle to watch. City, on the other hand, has a lot of question marks from the manager to every level of their roster, as well as FFP restrictions that prevent the wholesale reload the owners would love to make. 

While Raheem is not guaranteed to ever reach the heights that Hazard, it is important to remember that nobody has scored more than 31 goals in an EPL season. The fact is, goals are harder to come by in England on a week-to-week basis. If Raheem, like Eden, works hard, and improves his finishing every year, the sky is the limit—Especially if he makes the right move this summer. 

Note: Liverpool's recent signing of Roberto Firmino may factor into Brendan Rodgers' plans for Sterling

Check back tomorrow for the next unveiling on our list of the top 10 starlets in the EPL 

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Romelu Lukaku (22) - Striker - Everton

When Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku joined Chelsea in the summer of 2011 for between 10 and 17 million pounds after scoring 41 goals in 91 appearances for Anderlect, it appeared the sky was the limit for the teen sensation.

However, after failing to net a single goal for the Blues in 12 appearances during a mostly lost 11-12 season, the striker was loaned out to West Brom for the following campaign. Lukaku quickly regained his form with regular match time, netting 17 times in 35 games for the Baggies. It wasn’t good enough to earn him another chance at his parent club, and he was quickly sent to the blue part of Mercyside.

Lukaku became an important part of the Everton squad with another 16 goals in 31 matches during the 2013/14 campaign, helping Everton earn their place in the Europa League. In spite of this success in the EPL and the desperate need of his parent club to replace their entire strike force, Romelu was not considered the answer by Jose Mourinho, and Everton was happy to keep him. The teams struck a surprisingly large 28 million pound transfer agreement, a club record for the Toffees.

Romelu is an imposing presence in the box at 6'3” and very strong, yet possesses the pace to make runs in behind defenses. At the tender age of 22 he has a lot of room still to grow, and in spite of his very slow start to the season and a dip from 15 to 10 league goals, Lukaku actually managed to increase his overall total to 20 with a sensational run of form in Europa League competition, including his first hat trick for Everton in the knockout stage. He finished with 8 goals in only 9 Europa League matches—tied for the most of any player in the competition.

The way Lukaku finished the campaign in spite of the poor overall performance of the club, which finished mid table, provides hope for next season. The return of manager Roberto Martinez surprised many, but it bodes well for the improvement of the young Belgian that there will be stability at the club. He has become an integral part of the Belgian national team that made it to the quarter finals of the World Cup, alongside Christian Benteke, the Hazard brothers, City captain Vincent Kompany, Everton teammate Kevin Miralles, and Thibault Courtois, making them one of the best and most promising national sides for the coming World Cup cycle and beyond. Fans can expect Lukaku to have a breakout season in 2015/16.

Check back tomorrow for the next unveiling on our list of the top 10 starlets in the EPL 

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Oscar (23) - Attacking Midfielder - Chelsea

Oscar dos Santos, or the footballer known simply as Oscar, is one of the most talented and promising players in Europe. The Brazilian international was the only player to start every game for Brazil in their home World Cup of 2014, and in spite of their disappointing finish, Oscar was the only player to score against the Germans in the 7-1 massacre.

As far as his club career is concerned, it was his sensational performances for Internacional and the Brazil U20 side that drew the attention of the top clubs in Europe. In the summer of 2012 Oscar secured a nearly 20 million pound transfer to West London and immediately became a fixture in the Blues starting 11.

In his debut season he appeared in an astonishing 64 matches in all competitions, scoring 12 times. In particular, he became known for his performances in Chelsea's Europa League title run, where he scored 6 times in 16 matches while moving around all 3 attacking midfield positions. His superb dribbling, vision, timing, and ability to get the ball to his teammates in even the tightest situations have made him the primary playmaker since the return of Jose Mourinho in Oscar's second season with the club.

While his goal total has slipped in each of the past two seasons causing some neutrals to question his development, Oscar has as much promise as ever. It has been his unwavering commitment to his national team that has been the problem for the youngster. Oscar has been playing virtually non stop for 4 years without a single vacation to speak of, causing fatigue and wear that has led to some inconsistent club performances.

Ironically, it was a late season injury this past season that may be the most critical aid to his progression as a player. The injury was enough to keep him off the national team roster for this years Copa America in Chile, while not serious enough or of a recurrent nature to impede him in any way going forward. It allows Oscar to essentially take the summer off, and give his whole body the rest it so desperately needs.

Chelsea Manager Jose Mourinho has said that he expects the same kind of leap forward seen by Eden Hazard under him—High praise from a manager that is not known for hyping his players or holding back criticism. It was the presence of Oscar that made Mourinho comfortable enough to ship off a 2 time Chelsea player of the year Juan Mata to Manchester United, and Kevin De Bruyne back to Germany. The prior did also have something to do with Mata's refusal to play defense (a death sentence for any player under the Special One) but shipping away two talented #10's is not a decision most coaches would so easily take.

If Oscar can make anywhere near the leap that Eden made, the Blues will have a seriously special player on their hands. Expect that in the years to come, Oscar, with talent and skill reminiscent of a young Kaka, will become recognized as one of top attacking midfielders in the world. 

Check back tomorrow for the next unveiling on our list of the top 10 starlets in the EPL 

Follow Ike Sport Report on Twitter: @IKE_SportReport

Kurt Zouma (20) - CB - Chelsea

Kurt Zouma was one of the most intriguing story lines for the newly crowned champion Blues in 2014/15. With arguably the best center half pairing in the Premier League in the seemingly ageless John Terry and former England teammate Gary Cahill, there was little expectation of Zouma making a big impact this past season, in spite of the 12 million pound price paid for the French international in January 2014.

After finding playing time hard to come by, the big breakthrough came on the suspension of the Blues sensational holding midfielder Nemanja Matic and the injury to his backup Mikel. When the lineup for the League Cup final was announced, many eyebrows were immediately raised as the 20 year old was slated in the role usually filled by Matic, who is recognized as possibly the most influential addition to the Blues in the 2nd era of the Special One.

In spite of playing in a totally different position, Zouma made a lasting impression on Jose and on the public, supporters and neutrals alike, as he played a near flawless game in front of Terry and Cahill, mopping things up and keeping Spurs chances to a minimum. He played an integral role in keeping a clean sheet and thus giving Chelsea the trophy they had so desperately been seeking.

The performance of Kurt Zouma in 14/15 not only has many calling him the heir to John Terry and one of the 10 best young players in England, but in European football as a whole. He shows composure and leadership skills that are extremely rare in a player so young, as well as immense physical and technical ability. Against Manchester United on April 18, he was deployed to nullify the aerial threat posed by a resurgent Marouane Fellaini, and did exactly that, reducing the Belgian who had terrorized other EPL defenses to an afterthought as the Blues marched on toward the crown. Zouma came into the decisive match against Crystal Palace for the final five minutes as the Blues clinched their first EPL crown in five years, and ended the four year stay the trophy had made in the city of Manchester.

Expect Zouma to be a mainstay in the heart of the Chelsea defense for the next decade, as he has already shown himself to be the superior player to Cahill. Zouma has that rare combination of strength, toughness, leadership, mental fortitude, pace, and versatility which makes it impossible to leave him on the bench much longer.

Check back tomorrow for the next unveiling on our list of the top 10 starlets in the EPL 

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Ross Barkley (21) - Attacking Midfielder - Everton

After a breakout 2013/14 season that saw big money transfer rumors flying, Ross Barkley was one of the hottest names in Europe. While his numbers dropped off this past season, it was much like the rest of the Everton side, a struggle to find consistent form which, in the end, doomed the club to a mid table finish.

The physical ability and technical skills that got Barkley where he is hasn’t gone anywhere. While it’s always a concern when a young player shows signs of regression, last season should be viewed more as an aberration than a trend in his young career.

Ross Barkley possesses the very rare combination of an imposing physique and great technical ability. He has the versatility to play as an attacking midfielder, drop deeper in the midfield, or slide out to the left wing. For such a young player, his composure, concentration, awareness, and maturity are tremendous and make him a rare talent indeed. Ross is at his best making central runs at the defense using his strength, solid pace, and control that makes him extremely difficult to stop. Ross has a constant attacking mentality, and with a very high rate of his passes going to forward, the average distance of his passes puts him among the top of the league.

A lot of pressure has been placed on the shoulders of the youngster. Being young, hyped, and English born in the EPL is a serious burden that not every player can handle. While many might take this past season as a sign that it was too much, Barkley has maturity and composure that will allow him to handle the pressure and thrive. The only real concern is his fitness, because if he can stay on the pitch, he will be a tremendous player for the next decade plus.

Check back tomorrow for the next unveiling on our list of the top 10 starlets in the EPL 

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Saido Barahino (21) - Striker - West Bromwich Albion

Saido Berahino is a young striker that exploded onto the EPL scene in 2014/15, with 19 league goals and 20 all together. Not playing in Euro competition and on a lower profile club may have prevented Saido from getting the face time of Harry Kane, but his performance this season was no less impressive, as Berahino is a tremendous talent.  

Berahino has tremendous pace and strength, which extends to his shot. He simply smashed the football past keepers on a regular basis this past season while not losing accuracy on his shot, a very rare skill indeed. Saido is an England international, though born in Burundi. He has played on many youth levels for his adoptive nation, including a remarkable 10 goals in 14 appearances for the under 21's. The fact that he has yet to earn his call to the senior side is a shame that cannot continue much longer if he keeps up his current form.

In addition to a rocket shot, Berahino has great timing and pace on his runs, which put himself in position for many of his goals this past year, seeming to barely beat the offside flag on a regular basis. He creates space for his teammates and is an effective passer with the strength to hold up play. There had been questions about his attitude and direction in prior seasons, even leading to him being dismissed by Brentford while on loan, but according to his teammates he has turned it around proper and works hard in training.

Berahino has the potential to be an elite level striker if he continues to work hard and stay fit. There is already interest being shown by bigger clubs, but his interests are better served showing at least one more quality season with the Baggies, which will both significantly increase his value and leverage for a sale, as well as put himself in a position where he is more likely to secure first team action and patience from whichever club he eventually chooses. 

Check back tomorrow for the next unveiling on our list of the top 10 starlets in the EPL 

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Luke Shaw (19) - Left Back - Manchester United

Luke Shaw entered the 2014/15 season off the back of two good seasons as a teenager for Southampton, spurring his huge transfer (rumored to be 30 million pounds) and making him the most expensive teenager in football. Shaw was given a spot on England's 2014 World Cup squad over Ashley Cole, making him the youngest player in the tournament, as he played as the 2nd left back to starter Leighton Baines.

The huge fee, his young age, being signed by Man U, and the extreme hype that saw some go as far as comparing the teenager to Gareth Bale, put an awful lot of pressure on such a young athlete who had yet to score a single goal. That being said, Shaw didn't get to where he is on accident. He has rare pace and dribbling ability for a full back, the primary reason he’s been compared to Bale. He has very good control, and is a good defender with a very high tackling success rate. He is good in the air and makes few mistakes for a player his age.

Shaw struggled with fitness, and when coupled with the poor defense United had this past season, made for somewhat of an underwhelming debut campaign. Despite the shaky transition, it has not in any way changed the outlook on his long term prospects. While it is overly optimistic to suggest he will be Bale, there is every reason to believe he will be a fantastic wing player for the Red Devils. Shaw displays very good strength for such a young player, rarely being pushed around, and is an intelligent player who gets himself into good positions and supports his teammates with and without the ball. He can pick out a player and deliver an accurate cross, while also picking out teammates with his headers rather than simply hurtling the ball as far as possible.

United will likely spend freely this summer to upgrade the side, particularly those around Shaw in the back four. Similar to the 2nd season Mourinho experienced at Chelsea, expect that LVG will spend the summer putting his stamp on the side and filling the holes he needs to in order to challenge his old friend for the title in 2015/16. If Shaw can regain his fitness there is little doubt that he will be a indispensable part of that challenge. Unfortunately, making such a big move to a club like United means that Shaw must deliver on that promise sooner rather than later, for there isn't much patience at the big boy's table. 

Check back tomorrow for the next unveiling on our list of the top 10 starlets in the EPL 

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Ruben Loftus-Cheek (19) - Midfielder - Chelsea

The only player on this list without extensive playing time to his name (yet), Loftus-Cheek made it because of the massive upside he displays. Any teenager to get on the pitch for a Mourinho managed club is an incredible statement in and of itself, and it is becoming clear that Loftus-Cheek is being groomed for a permanent spot on the senior team. Though a recent performance in a friendly against Sydney FC led to his public chastisement from the manager for his lack of effort on defense could harm his standing, there was a similar calling out of Eden Hazard by his manager in the not too distant past, and we know how that worked out.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek spent most of the 2014/15 season with the reserve side and looked like a man amongst boys. A class above the other players at that level, his dominance played a major role in the side becoming champions of Europe.

Loftus-Cheek’s 1st start for Chelsea came against Liverpool in May after the club had wrapped up the title, but this was no B team, as most of the regulars were there for the Blues. Ruben finished his 60 mins with a 100% pass success and 100% tackle success ratings, not too shabby for a teenage debut.

He is a natural fit as a holding midfielder. Both tall at 6'3” and long, he is able to get to balls other players simply cannot, with his physicality and ability to read the game being world class. He matched YaYa Toure physically in their post-season match up without blinking. Ruben is already adept at both getting rid of the ball quickly and accurately when he gets it, as well as moving without the ball to get into the right place when his teammates need to get the ball to him. His long-range vision is outstanding, and he displays composure beyond his years. Probably most important for his position, he acts a shield for his center halves, mopping up in front of the back line very well.

If Ruben Loftus-Cheek continues to work hard, not let his early success get to his head, and stay fit he will become the 1st academy product since John Terry to become a fixture in Chelsea's 1st team. He would make a fantastic pairing with Matic in the Blues 4-2-3-1 in a way that neither Mikel or Ramires are capable of. This will free up Fabregas to play further up the pitch, and if Oscar makes the leap his manager expects, the pair will allow Chelsea to solve their issues at both RAM and CDM without spending a single pound. 

Check back tomorrow for the next unveiling on our list of the top 10 starlets in the EPL 

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JOHN STONES (21) - CB - EVERTON

John Stones is yet another young, talented player for the Evertonians. The 6'2” center back has been impressive, drawing reported interest from Chelsea among others. Stones played a large role in the vastly improved defense the latter half of the campaign, even scoring on a fine header in while helping Everton keep a clean sheet in the 3-0 win over Manchester United.

Stones made the move from Barnsley at the end of the winter transfer window of the 2012/13 season for a reported 3 million pounds. He got his first extended run on the pitch due to an injury suffered by Phil Jagielka and his first call up to the senior national team.

Stones truly broke out this past season, appearing 28 times and being named Everton's young player of the year. Stones has good size, strength, solid pace, good positional awareness, superb tackling, and is effective in the air on both sides of the ball.

While Stones is more limited in his physical upside than other players on this list, he makes up for it with technical soundness, intelligence, composure, and a keen sense of positioning. This compares to a young John Terry, a player Stones could possibly try and replace in the coming years. 

Check back tomorrow for the next unveiling on our list of the top 10 starlets in the EPL 

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