With the transfer window now open, here is a look at five young Premier League players who need a loan deal.
Whilst current priorities will be mainly on bringing in new signings and moving on players no longer part of the club’s plans, there are plenty of young players keen to start getting regular first-team game time.
Given that every Premier League club will want some youngsters around the first-team to build experience whilst others go out on loan, here is a look at five players who certainly need a loan deal to boost their development.
Oliver Scarles (West Ham)
Since he made his bow in an Europa Conference League victory away to FCSB in November 2022, Oliver Scarles has been on the fringes of the first-team squad in training despite not getting first-team game time last season.
Unless Lopetegui is fully committed to integrating Scarles into the first team more, there has to be a fair case for sending him out on loan to gain first-team experience given his versatility in defensive and midfield positions.
Leo Castledine (Chelsea)
Despite making his senior debut as a substitute against Middlesbrough in Chelsea’s second leg comeback in their Carabao Cup semi-final, Leo Castledine showed his potential at Under-21s level with 10 goals and eight assists last season.
A loan move therefore seems the right logical step for the 18 year-old who is unlikely to get much first-team opportunities under Enzo Maresca, yet he is ready to make the step up from youth football to ideally an EFL club.
Will Lankshear (Tottenham Hotspur)
Considered one of the hottest young strikers in the English game, Will Lankshear will be a player to monitor in the loan market as he looks for first team football this season.
Having netted 29 goals for Tottenham Hotspur Under-21s last season in all competitions, Lankshear surely has to make the step up to senior level but his game time at Spurs does look limited under Ange Postecoglou.
A loan move therefore would be a wise step for Lankshear especially given that comparisons have been drawn between him and ex Tottenham striker – Harry Kane, who enjoyed solid loans at EFL club before breaking through at Spurs.
Lankshear however has enjoyed a solid pre-season so far for Tottenham which included a goal in a friendly win over Hearts, in-turn giving Postecoglou a conundrum over whether to put him in the senior squad or loan him out.
James McConnell (Liverpool)
At just 19 years-old, midfielder – James McConnell already has nine senior appearances and Carabao Cup title under his belt for Liverpool, having stepped up during an injury crisis
Despite mainly playing as an attacking midfielder at youth level, McConnell managed to adapt his game last season to cover a defensive midfield role, which certainly made him a versatile option for Jurgen Klopp in the mid-phase of last season.
This season though sees Arne Slot take charge and despite his philosophy involving young players, McConnell could be wise to look for a loan in order to gain regular senior experience given the current midfield competition at Anfield.
Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal)
With just two senior appearances already under his belt at just 17 years-old and their top goalscorer at Under-21s level last season, Ethan Nwaneri could well be in contention for a loan move.
Despite his tender age, Nwaneri has already demonstrated his ability to play in any attacking position, demonstrated by 17 goals in 18 appearances across all competitions last season for Arsenal at Under-21 and senior levels.
Nwaneri however now needs to gain regular first-team experience at a smaller club, especially if he wants to continue his development and handle the pressures of senior football before he steps up to Arsenal full time.
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