Working for Umbro as a Player Recruitment Executive, James Beaumont travels around the country, looking for the best footballers to wear Umbro gear. Also, as a former player himself, he’s got a great eye for what makes a good prospect. With that in mind, we’ve asked him to pick out some of the finest young players he’s seen, and tell us just what it is that makes them special. He starts off with a look at a player who’s already made an impact in the Premier League…

“I have become attracted to Sunderland’s bullishly entertaining style which has lit up the North East’s football scene over the last couple of months or so. Watching Sunderland with a closer interest, business has become a pleasure. While their Tyne and Tees rivals have been getting through two games a week in a hectic Championship schedule, The Black Cats have been reveling in their new lease of life under Steve Bruce – and the don’t the screaming Mackems love it!

Jordan Henderson, a product of the Sunderland Academy, has been offered an opportunity in the team, has grasped it with both hands and is a player that will continue to emerge this season in the central of Sunderland’s midfield. With the experience of Cana and Cattermole arriving at the Stadium of Light in the summer, the middle of the park looked sealed up for Steve Bruce’s side. But with continuous progression and the desire to impress for his home town club, Henderson has forced his way into the reckoning on the strength of his performances. A magnificent show against Villa in the Carling Cup set the scene for the 19 year old, which has been followed by impressive games against some of the best midfielders in the Premiership.

With great energy and desire, Henderson is an all-action midfielder. Good vision, touch and awareness compliment his willingness to harass, compete and put the work in defensively. He may be in the early stages of his Premiership career, but with creative English talent at a premium, especially at his age, this boy could be in demand if he keeps stringing up performances like he has been.

I watched him against Arsenal last weekend, playing against arguably the best ‘footballing’ midfielder in the world. It was a tough test, but a good one for Henderson, as it exposed him to how the best go about their business. I watched the Sunderland midfielders as the referee blew for half time – they were exhausted, run ragged by the effortless Cesc. It would have been easy to crumble under such intense waves of quality – but Henderson and Cana came out with renewed desire and in the end out-ran, out-battled and out-played the opposition midfield and deserved the three points.

Nice to see a home grown player breaking through at first team level – give the boys a chance and there will be many more out there!

P.S. Lorik Cana is one of the buys of the season so far – looks like Steve Bruce has done his homework on that one.”