Manager, scouts and fans are always looking for the next big thing. That one young player that has the potential to become the next football superstar or the late-bloomer who is suddenly showing unexpected class. New talent is always exciting. That is why we took a look at the SciSkill Index, to see which players in the English Championship and Premier League gained the most ground on our Index. We present you the top 10 biggest risers in England.
Championship
First up is the Championship. Number one is Everton loanee Callum Connolly, who plays for Wigan Athletic since January. The defender gained 27.6 points on the SciSkill Index, more than doubling his score of six months ago. Leeds United’s Ronaldo Vieira and Matty Cash from Nottingham Forest complete the top three. Noteworthy is the inclusion of #5 Jon McLaughlan. The 29-year-old Burton Albion goalkeeper is the only player in the list over the age of 21.
10. Ryan Kent – Barnsley (on loan from Liverpool)
SciSkill development relative to the previous six months: +19.3
Average SciSkill Score last six months: 59.6
9. Bright Enobakhare – Wolverhampton Wanderers FC
SciSkill development relative to the previous six months: +20.2
Average SciSkill Score last six months: 30.4
8. André Green – Aston Villa
SciSkill development relative to the previous six months: +20.9
Average SciSkill Score last six months: 29.1
7. Kalvin Phillips – Leeds United
SciSkill development relative to the previous six months: +21.0
Average SciSkill Score last six months: 41.2
6. Ryan Sessegnon – Fulham
SciSkill development relative to the previous six months: +21.3
Average SciSkill Score last six months: 27.5
5. Jon McLaughlan – Burton Albion
SciSkill development relative to the previous six months: +22.6
Average SciSkill Score last six months: 49.0
4. Tammy Abraham – Bristol City (on loan from Chelsea)
SciSkill development relative to the previous six months: +22.9
Average SciSkill Score last six months: 62.9
3. Matty Cash – Nottingham Forest
SciSkill development relative to the previous six months: +25.2
Average SciSkill Score last six months: 38.2
2. Ronaldo Vieira – Leeds United
SciSkill development relative to the previous six months: +27.2
Average SciSkill Score last six months: 33.1
1. Callum Connolly – Wigan Athletic (on loan from Everton)
SciSkill development relative to the previous six months: +27.6
Average SciSkill Score last six months: 42.9
Premier League
The Premier League is known for the purchases of expensive foreign players, but that is not to say there is no room for new young talent. The SciSkill Index gave us the following top 10 of biggest risers.
10. Adam Forshaw – Middlesbrough
SciSkill development relative to the previous six months: +11.9
Average SciSkill Score last six months: 64.8
25-year-old Forshaw played one match in the Premier League (8 minutes for Everton in 2011), before winning promotion to the top division with Middlesbrough last season. The fact the midfielder has not missed a single league match this season is instrumental in his rise.
9. George Honeyman – Sunderland
SciSkill development relative to the previous six months: +12.7
Average SciSkill Score last six months: 33.2
Most of Honeyman’s matches this season were for Sunderland U23, but in recent weeks the attacking midfielder (22 years) got some playing minutes in the Premier League. More playing time with the ‘big boys’ will be important for his development.
8. Gabriel Jesus – Manchester City
SciSkill development relative to the previous six months: +14.0
Average SciSkill Score last six months: 75.5
The Brazilian forward arrived at Manchester City for a fee of €32 million and immediately made waves due to manager Pep Guardiola preferring the teen over superstar Sergio Agüero as his striker. He impressed with 3 goals in just over 200 PL minutes, but then suffered a serious injury in his fourth match. He is expected to be out for the next two months, but when he returns we will be looking to see if he can continue his strong development.
7. Mason Holgate – Everton
SciSkill development relative to the previous six months: +14.1
Average SciSkill Score last six months: 54.4
The young centre-back (20) already has six league starts to his name this season. His exposure to the Premier League level has had a strong influence on the SciSkill Index, nearly doubling his SciSkill Score. The Premier League experience came at the right time, as his score was in a bit of a slump in the last year.
6. Ashley Fletcher – West Ham United
SciSkill development relative to the previous six months: +17.1
Average SciSkill Score last six months: 49.9
Fletcher moved to West Ham United after failing to breakthrough at Manchester United. The 21-year-old centre-forward made his Premier League debut as a substitute against Bournemouth in the second weekend, before making his first start a week later. He so far has failed to score any goals, but that might be due to the fact he only played the full 90 minutes two times. In the other 11 matches, he never played more than 30 minutes.
5. Ramadan Sobhi – Stoke City
SciSkill development relative to the previous six months: +18.0
Average SciSkill Score last six months: 24.1
The Egyptian winger joined Stoke City this summer from El Ahly. So far, he has not managed to secure a place in the starting eleven, although he did provide two assists in the 367 minutes played. The last two matches he was a starter, however, which might lead to more playing minutes. His performances on the highest level have led his SciSkill Score to more than quadruple in the last six months.
4. Tom Davies – Everton
SciSkill development relative to the previous six months: +22.6
Average SciSkill Score last six months: 49.9
The Evertonian already made his debut ánd got his first start for the Toffees on the age of 17 last season, but this season he got his real breakthrough. In 2017, the central midfielder started in all but one match, scoring one goal, while assisting another two. Everton hasn’t lost a single league match with Davies, now 18 years old, as part of the starting eleven.
3. Harry Winks – Tottenham Hotspur
SciSkill development relative to the previous six months: +24.4
Average SciSkill Score last six months: 39.0
21-year-old Winks has been somewhat of a regular this season for Spurs, playing in all but one league match since November. A starting place is still somewhat away for the midfielder, but his increased playing time in both the Premier League and the Champions League has seen him climb significantly on the SciSkill Index. He has played as a defensive, central and (once) attacking midfielder this season, showcasing his versatility.
2. Alex Iwobi – Arsenal
SciSkill development relative to the previous six months: +31.0
Average SciSkill Score last six months: 86.4
Iwobi is having somewhat of a dream season for Arsenal. After becoming a starter in the latter phases of the previous season, he has become a regular for the Gunners, scoring three times and assisting four goals. The Nigerian-born forward played for England’s youth teams, but chose to play for Nigeria and has collected 8 caps so far. A pacey and dynamic winger, he is making a name for himself more and more. His development on the SciSkill Index confirms his development over the past year.
1. Marcus Rashford – Manchester United
SciSkill development relative to the previous six months: +32.1
Average SciSkill Score last six months: 74.5
The story of Marcus Rashford is somewhat of a fairy tale. Scoring on his league, European and international debut, the forward impressed friend and foe. He went on to play 11 league matches in his first senior season. Under new coach José Mourinho, Rashford has not always been a starter for United, with the Portuguese opting for Swedish superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic as the centre-forward. Most of Rashford’s matches this season have been as a left winger, scoring thrice and assisting one. With 20 league and 6 Europa League matches and two more international caps, 19-year-old Rashford is still one of Europe’s most exciting talents, as is also evident from his rise on the SciSkill Index.
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