Things are not what they used to be. It is a common lament. It is also true at times. It is not merely the nostalgic who are complaining that fewer English players are being given an opportunity in the Premier League. At too many clubs, the pressure to get results and the finances involved mean that young players are not being handed a chance; not unless they cost a huge fee and have showed their quality at high levels elsewhere, anyway. But there are five who are bucking the trend. <strong>JESSE LINGARD</strong> It is a sign of the changing times that Lingard was called up to the England squad after just 193 minutes of top-flight football. Yet it is also a sign of a startling shift from the shadows to the limelight. Lingard ended Manchester United’s goal drought by creating Wayne Rooney’s winner against CSKA Moscow. He then scored his first Premier League goal, and in some style, against West Bromwich Albion. He has displaced the £25 million signing Memphis Depay in the pecking order and now seems United’s most dynamic option on the flanks. “He is a young player that has grasped the opportunities he’s been given,” said Louis van Gaal. Twenty-three next month, Lingard is not especially young but a midfielder or winger whose first appearance this season did not come until 17 October has sprung to prominence. <strong>DELE ALLI</strong> Scorer of his first international goal against France and man of the match in the North London derby, Alli seems to belong on the big stage. Another fast-tracked into the England squad was plying his trade in League One for MK Dons last season. He has made an immediate impact at Tottenham, showing the skill and power to operate either as a No. 8 or a No. 10 in Mauricio Pochettino’s high-energy team. “Dele Alli started to show from the first day of pre-season that he was capable of playing in the Premier League,” the Argentine said. That appears an understatement but Alli’s prowess should prompt questions at Anfield as to how a Liverpool fan who idolised Steven Gerrard signed for Tottenham instead. <strong>JACK BUTLAND</strong> Not a new name, Butland was in England’s squad for Euro 2012. Yet when the season started, he had just six top-flight appearances to his name. He was a reserve who had been loaned out three times by Stoke. But they had a plan: they offered him a new contract in March, without one being requested. When they sold Asmir Begovic to Chelsea, they promoted from within. Three months into the campaign, Butland has been arguably the Premier League’s outstanding goalkeeper. There are suggestions he should displace Hart as England’s No. 1. If they are premature, Stoke manager Mark Hughes’ praise seems justified. “Physically he’s an imposing specimen,” the Welshman said. “He looks like a modern-day athletic keeper and has great presence.” <strong>DUNCAN WATMORE</strong> Few have enhanced their reputations in Sunderland’s sorry season but Watmore is an exception. The 21-year-old winger, signed from non-league Altrincham in 2013, scored as a substitute on his league debut against Norwich in August. His prowess in catalytic cameos was apparent again when he came off the bench for England Under-21s against Switzerland on Monday. They were losing 1-0 then but won 3-1 with Watmore scoring once and making two other goals. Quick and direct, he has moved ahead of Holland international Jeremain Lens at the Stadium of Light and Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce said: “He’s got something in his make-up that other players haven’t.” <strong>BRENDAN GALLOWAY</strong> Like Alli, a prodigy produced at MK Dons. While a centre-back by trade, Galloway has been the beneficiary of Leighton Baines’ ankle injury. The speedy, assured 19-year-old, who was signed last year, has produced a series of assured performances on the left of the Everton defence. He was named the Merseysiders’ player of the month for September and manager Roberto Martinez said: “Brendan keeps surprising everyone. His maturity is very impressive. Clearly we have someone quite special for the future.”
