A new Premier League season will always bring with it fresh hope and excitement for the endless potential of success that lies in store for players and clubs in general. One of the things that really gets the juices flowing is the prospect of young players breaking into the thick of the action and becoming top flight regulars for their clubs.
We take a look at five such individuals who carry the promise of making their mark on the upcoming Premier League season.
Ryan Sessegnon
Fulham winger Ryan Sessegnon is the only player on this list who is an established regular in their team. The explosive 18-year old is only now going to sample his first taste of football in the Premier League after playing two years in the Championship. A good season at Craven Cottage should propel him into the reckoning for the England national team and in all likelihood see him move to a bigger club.
Andreas Pereira
Andreas Pereira appeared to have been involved in a subtle fallout with Manchester United manager José Mourinho last season when he chose to join Valencia on a season-long loan instead of staying to fight for his place at Old Trafford. However, all that seems to be water long under the bridge now. The Belgian-born Brazil midfielder has been a shining light in a rather bleak pre-season for United. His impressive form in a deep-lying creative role, coupled with an injury to Nemanja Matić means he will likely start the first match against Leicester City this Friday. After that, it really is up to him how much he can achieve.
Phil Foden
There are few teenagers who have had the tongues wagging as much as Manchester City’s slick attacking midfielder Phil Foden has in the last year or so. The 18-year old has been earmarked as the eventual likely successor to club stalwart David Silva when the Spaniard eventually runs out of gas at the Etihad. Cameo appearances for the first team last season proved just why the young Englishman is rated so highly, and he is destined for even more game time this coming campaign.
Callum Hudson-Odoi
Chelsea youngster Callum Hudson-Odoi is an unlikely feature on this list. About a month ago, even he would probably have not expected to be in contention for a first-team spot at Stamford Bridge this season. The England national under-17 winger has however blown away fans, teammates and the new management at Chelsea in equal measure this pre-season. Manager Maurizio Sarri looks like he has been thoroughly impressed by what he has seen and is set to give the youngster a chance to shine in the first team.
Matteo Guendouzi
Arsenal manager Unai Emery pulled off a surprise by signing young French midfielder Matteo Guendouzi from Lorient this summer. The promising starlet is exactly the kind of player Arsenal have been used to signing over the years but the Gunners had been constantly linked to more established names in a summer of change at the Emirates. Guendouzi has done well enough in pre-season matches to at least guarantee himself a shot at first team involvement.
The new Premier League season is virtually here! Start placing your bets on the matches here.