The Premier League season is just a month away and pre-season is now in full swing, with clubs jetting off around the globe to play friendlies and prepare for the new campaign.
While fans’ attention will be fixed upon the summer transfer window, managers have their heads down, working with their players on the training pitches. It is a crucial time and one when young players can show their talent and stake a case for a first-team place.
It is notoriously difficult to make the step up from academy football to the Premier League; the stakes are so high that throwing youngsters into matches can be deemed too risky. Nevertheless, some will get a chance and grab it.
Predicting the trajectories of young footballers is a tricky task. But Mirror Football has given it a go, running through each side and selecting a player who could make their breakthrough in the 2023/24 season.
Arsenal – Reuell Walters
The Gunners reached the final of the FA Youth Cup under Jack Wilshere’s management last season. And although they were hammered 5-1 by West Ham, the side was packed with promising talent.
Mikel Arteta is already well aware of Walters – an 18-year-old centre-back – because he made the first-team substitutes’ bench on a few occasions last season. Walters, who made serious cash on Fortnite, isn’t setting tongues wagging like 16-year-olds Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly, but he is better placed to break through this season.
Aston Villa – Travis Patterson
Cameron Archer is the obvious choice, but at 21 years old and with 11 Championship goals to his name last season on loan with Middlesbrough, he doesn’t qualify. Along with fellow Championship loanees Jaden Philogene, Tim Iroegbunam and Aaron Ramsey (not that one, but younger brother of Jacob), he could contribute this season.
A younger but equally exciting prospect is Patterson – a 17-year-old left-sided winger. He made the first-team squad for the trip to Newcastle last season and has consistently caught the eye for Villa’s under-18s.
Bournemouth – Ilya Zabarnyi
The 20-year-old Ukraine international was signed for £24million in January from Dynamo Kyiv. Zabarnyi made just five appearances for the Cherries last season, but is set to kick on under new manager Andoni Iraola.
The 6ft 2in centre-back is very highly rated (just ask fans of Football Manager) and is enjoying Iraola’s impact in training. “We’re starting to play more one-touch or two-touch football, it’s a quicker game and it’s improving our processing,” he told the club website.
Brentford – Michael Olakigbe
Brentford are unusual in that they have a B Team set-up, instead of a traditional academy. Romeo Beckham has drawn plenty of attention to the team since joining, but 19-year-old winger Olakigbe is the one turning heads.
Olakigbe came through the Fulham academy before switching to Brentford last year because he felt a clearer pathway into the first team. He will try to make that break through this season.
Brighton – Facundo Buonanotte
The Seagulls are not short of young guns. Evan Ferguson (18) has a huge amount of hype around him and Julio Enciso (19) was outstanding at the end of last season, scoring the Premier League goal of the season against Manchester City.
Buonanotte made 14 appearances, but – understandably – flew more under the radar than his team-mates. The 18-year-old attacking midfielder will be hoping to follow in their footsteps this time around. Brighton have a fantastic track record of turning talents just like him into fully-fledged stars, so you wouldn’t bet against it.
Burnley – Enock Agyei
The Clarets signed Agyei from Anderlecht in January before sending him out on loan to Belgian side K.V. Mechelen. He is now back with Vincent Kompany’s side and looking to make an impact.
With star player Nathan Tella have re-joined Southampton after a successful loan spell, there could be a gap in the squad for the 18-year-old forward, who is already a Belgium under-21 international.
“Enock has a lot of maturity in his game, despite his age. He never loses overview in his action,” said Mechelen manager – and former Burnley player – Steven Defour. “He’s a very creative player with a lot of speed.”
Chelsea – Andrey Santos
The Blues signed Santos from Vasco da Gama in January, but he went under the radar due to the £107m deal for Enzo Fernandez and the fact he stayed in Brazil on loan while he sorted a work permit.
The 19-year-old is a versatile midfielder with a great engine and will be given a fresh slate under Mauricio Pochettino – a manager unafraid of promoting youth.
Chelsea are not short of young talent. Levi Colwill (20) has already made his breakthrough on loan at Brighton and with the England under-21s, while Lewis Hall (18) played first-team football last season.
Crystal Palace – Jesurun Rak-Sakyi
Palace currently have a dearth of options in wide attacking areas, with Michael Olise out with a hamstring injury and Wilfried Zaha yet to decide his future.
Roy Hodgson may therefore have to turn to youth and Rak-Sakyi fits the bill nicely. Ahead of Malcolm Ebiowei (19) in the pecking order due to his outstanding loan spell at Charlton last season, where he contributed 15 goals and nine assists to win the League One side’s player of the season award, the 20-year-old is set to make the step up.
Everton – Stanley Mills
Mills comes from a talented family: he is the son of former Leeds United and England defender Danny Mills and brother of 1500m runner George Mills. He is on a pathway to the top too.
The 19-year-old attacking midfielder recorded 10 goals in 15 appearances for the under-21s in the Premier League 2 last season. He was regularly included in Sean Dyche’s matchday squads and could break through this time around.
Fulham – Luke Harris
Harris has already been included in senior squads for Wales and made his Premier League debut in October. The 18-year-old box-to-box midfielder made five appearances altogether last season and wants more this time around.
A whopping 25 goals and five assists in 35 appearances for the under-21s suggests he is more than ready.
Liverpool – Ben Doak
Conor Bradley, a 20-year-old right-back who excelled on loan at Bolton last season, is set to join the first-team picture this season, but will find it hard to dislodge Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Doak joined Liverpool from Celtic in March 2022 for around £600,000 and is heading heads behind the scenes at Kirkwood. The 17-year-old winger has five goals and two assists in 14 games for the under-21s and has been elevated to first-team training this summer.
Jurgen Klopp is understood to be a big fan and could give him chances to impress in pre-season friendlies.
Luton – Joe Taylor
Hatters fans are already very familiar with 20-year-old striker Taylor, who thought he had scored the goal to send them into the Premier League at Wembley. Taylor’s goal against Coventry in the play-off final may have been ruled out, but he scored from the spot in the shoot-out and could be given chances in the top flight too.
The former Peterborough striker is likely to remain as an impact substitute for Luton, who face a tough task to stay up.
Manchester City – Oscar Bobb
Bobb has won City's under-21 player of the year for the last two seasons and is hoping to make the step up. The 19-year-old winger notched eight goals and 18 assists for the under-21s last season and could benefit if Cole Palmer leaves on loan.
He is close to making his international debut for Norway and will hope that the potential departures of Bernardo Silva and Riyad Mahrez this summer could hand him a chance.
Manchester United – Kobbie Mainoo
There is some excitement around Amad at United after the 21-year-old registered 14 goals and four assists on loan at Sunderland last season, but Mainoo is also well placed to step up.
The 18-year-old midfielder made three first-team appearances under Erik ten Hag last season and is well known to the Dutchman. He is among a group of youngsters training with United in pre-season and will go to the United States on tour, having been used in promotional material.
Newcastle – Lewis Miley
The bags of money provided by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund is perhaps not great news for young Newcastle players hoping for a first team opportunity. Rather than bringing through their own, the Magpies are able to splash £45m on Anthony Gordon.
But Eddie Howe’s use of 20-year-old midfielder Elliot Anderson suggests there is hope. And Lewis Miley would appear the best set to make the most of it. The 17-year-old winger signed a professional deal with his boyhood club earlier this year and, while he will continue to play for the under-21s, he could get the odd chance in the first-team.
Nottingham Forest – Zach Abbott
Forest were extremely busy in the transfer market during their first season back in the top flight and, as a result, have not focused much on youth. Their squad has an experienced look to it in general, but Steve Cooper managed England under-16s and under-17s, so has a good eye for talent.
He is a big fan of Abbott – a 17-year-old defender, who is a regular for England under-17s. He made his senior debut earlier last campaign, aged 16, and has been regularly around the first-team squad.
Sheffield United – Daniel Jebbison
Jebbison holds the record as youngest player to score on their first start in the Premier League, having scored against Everton in May 2021 while 17. United are back in the top flight and Jebbison is still a teenager.
The 19-year-old Canada-born forward has made 34 appearances for the Blades without securing his place, but the departure of Billy Sharp may benefit him.
Tottenham – Alfie Devine
Upon his appointment, Spurs chairman Daniel Levy said new manager Ange Postecoglou "has a strong track record of developing players and an understanding of the importance of the link from the academy”. That will please Devine.
The 18-year-old midfielder is a regular in first-team training at Tottenham, but currently has just two appearances to his name. He impressed in the recent Under-20 World Cup and could benefit from the fresh approach under Postecoglou.
West Ham – Divin Mubama
Mubama looks too good to continue playing under-21s football, having plundered 40 goals in 57 games for the Hammers’ under-age side. He has made six first-team appearances for David Moyes’ side already, scoring against AEK Larnaca, and will kick on this season.
The 18-year-old striker was the star of the Hammers side which won the FA Youth Cup last season and, with Moyes struggling for consistent goals, he has every chance of playing this season.
Wolves – Dexter Lembikisa
Lembikisa is currently away from Wolves ’ pre-season training, playing for Jamaica at the Gold Cup. The 19-year-old defender has made 51 appearances for the under-21s and is ready to make the step up to senior football.
That could be on loan, but it remains to be seen if Julen Lopetegui wants to give him a chance in the first team. Lembikisa can play at left-back or right-back and that versatility could open the door for him. Hugo Bueno (20) will also be competing for a spot on the left side.
