FIVE ON THE RISE
PREMIER LEAGUE
‘THE MANCHESTER UNITED BOARD OPERATES IN A CHAOTIC MANNER’
The Premier League has always been a league prioritizing youth, so here are the 5 best Under-21 players so far this season: BILLY GILMOUR Billy Gilmour’s talent is well documented at this point. He played a minor role in Chelsea’s Champions League title last season and contributed greatly to the Scottish national team’s success in securing a play-off place in World Cup qualification. But his now-secure gametime at Norwich after the sacking of Daniel Farke where he has begun to flourish again. Gilmour remains one of the best midfield prospects to grace the league in years, and a bountiful career is already beginning to take shape. TINO LIVRAMENTO Southampton’s defensive issues have been somewhat historical. But up steps Tino Livramento, a former Chelsea-academy player who typically plays in a productive right-back style similar to that of Trent Alexander-Arnold. Livramento is an incredibly reliable player and has featured in every one of Southampton’s Premier League so far this season. Southampton have a really great prospect on their hands.
flight. Even so, Rangnick has an almighty job on his hands at Old Trafford, where a hugely talented squad has failed to live up to its potential this season. His CV clearly shows why the United board have turned to him, as the club has done in the past when seeking guidance and advice on things such as their academy and structure. However, the Reds are in a completely different stratosphere to clubs like Hoffenheim and Leipzig. Turning this dysfunctional giant into a slick, well-oiled trophy-winning machine will be no mean feat, but one that would represent Rangnick’s crowning glory if he succeeds. And just how he attempts to achieve his goals promises to be fascinating. The German twice recommended himself for the manager’s position at Leipzig, and has admitted he could do the same when the time comes for United to appoint a permanent boss in the summer. His potential candidacy will depend a lot on performances between now and then though. There was an instant vision of how Rangnick wants his United team to play in his first game in charge. The Red Devils started like a freight train against Crystal Palace, producing an energetic first-half display packed with pressing and
‘OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER MUST BE GIVEN A HUGE AMOUNT OF CREDIT’ 16
SOCCER360 JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2022
ABOVE: Rangnick is well known for his excellent work at RB Leipzig BELOW: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer did a lot of good work at Manchester United
turnovers in the final third. However, energy levels unsurprisingly faltered in the second period, before a lacklustre performance in his second Premier League game away to Norwich City, which United were fortunate to win thanks to a late Cristiano Ronaldo penalty. Ronaldo’s presence in the team and lack of pressing was a huge talking point after Rangnick’s appointment was confirmed. Yet the problems at Manchester United run far deeper than a 36-year-old who is by far the club’s best player, and even who the manager is. The fact that Rangnick has seemingly been given the keys to the kingdom just a matter of months after the United board showed their faith in and commitment to Solskjaer by rewarding the Norwegian with a new three-year contract speaks volumes for the complete lack of planning and chaotic manner in which the club’s decision-makers operate. Of course, there was never supposed to be a mid-season change, but Solskjaer’s position became untenable by the end and his departure inevitable. It appears the board were among the last ones to realise that.
BRYAN GIL Bryan Gil’s transfer to Tottenham in the summer was likely one of the better things to come out of the long summer that the Spurs had to endure. Gil’s quality is shown in a Tottenham side who even after the appointment of Antonio Conte still remain a little incompetent. His brief cameos illustrate the mature investment in youth that Tottenham are beginning to make. MICHAEL OLISE Michael Olise is probably the most experienced player on this list, even if he is just 19 years old. Olise came through Reading before his move to Crystal Palace in the summer and notched up just under 70 Championship appearances. Experiences like these are incredibly valuable to young players, but Olise has comfortably dealt with the step up in quality to the Premier League and remains a consistent performer for Patrick Viera’s side. FRANCISCO TRINCÃO Wolverhampton’s Portuguese love affair continues, and their acquisition of Francisco Trincão on loan with the option to make it permanent from Barcelona is a very prosperous signing for Wolves. Trincão played 28 times for Barcelona last season and has excellent experience at a high-level from a young age. He is one of the brightest young wingers in the league, and likely through time he will blossom into a more established name.
