Three young talents ready to shine...

Emile Heskey

(Leicester City) Age 18.

He looks like a heavyweight boxer - he is 6'2" and 13st - but has played most of his career so far out on the left wing.

In time, he is likely to move inside to lead the attack, and he has already played there with good effect - he has seven goals in his 31 League appearances.

Versatile, Heskey can also play in midfield when required.

Tipped for a pre-season transfer and, even though he is Leicester-born and a former trainee, it will be a surprise if he is still at Filbert Street in a year's time.

David Beckham

(Manchester Utd) Age 21. Hardly a new name (37 League appearances to date), he was arguably United's best player in both of this year's Wembley appearances. But is yet to secure a role in the centre of midfield and now faces competition from Karel Poborsky in the wide right position. If he can keep his place with United he should be able to win one with England. He has awareness and imagination.

His willingness preparedness to work at his game is reflected in his improved crossing, while an encounter with Stuart Pearce last season showed he is no shirker.

Andy Gray

(Leeds United) Age 18.

He was the redeeming feature of Leeds's Coca-Cola Cup final. Son of Frank, he has a readiness to run at defenders, and ability to go by them, which recalls his uncle Eddie. Only played 15 League games, but already appears positive and nerveless.

English-born but the Scots have their eye on him. Having capped him at youth level they would have taken him on their pre-Euro 96 tour if Leeds had not preferred him to be rested. Lee Sharpe may be about to find the left-wing position is no easier to gain at Elland Road than at Old Trafford.

Andy Cole

(Manchester United)

'Cole the Goal' seems a sad memory now. Even his well-taken championship clincher at Middlesbrough was overshadowed by his subsequent abysmal FA Cup final display. His all-round game has improved, and he is still chirpy, but the constant failure - and Eric Cantona's withering glares - must be chipping away at his confidence. Alex Ferguson made a point of telling him he would not have been sold if Shearer had signed but as it is he has had the worst possible start to the season, laid up with pneumonia while Scholes and Cruyff feast on Cantona's promptings.

David Platt

(Arsenal)

The homecoming season turned into a battle for fitness and form. Played most of England's Euro 96 matches without recapturing the form of old and is now in danger of losing his international place as well as the captaincy. His problems stemmed from a persistent knee injury which prevented him from pursuing his strength - late runs into the box, while Arsenal's lack of a genuinely creative midfielder saw him miscast. He is only 30, but the nature of his game means he is likely to age quicker than most unless he can develop his game.

Juninho

(Middlesbrough)

Rarely did he look the best young midfield player in the world last season, though that had as much to do with his being on a different plane to most of his team-mates. His international commitments did not help. With Brazil qualifying automatically for the next World Cup, there should be fewer of those this season. Middlesbrough's other Brazilians and Fabrizio Ravanelli ought to be able to read his game. The Olympics may not have been the best preparation for a long English season, though, and we may need to remember he is only 23.