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The start of every new Premier League season feels a bit like a clean slate. Any player can make an impact on the first-team, anyone can become a star. That is no less the case for youngsters in the academy.
It’s hard to tell when a chance might come, but when it does, they need to grasp it. There will be several players in each youth team that a manager has earmarked for the moment injuries hit or changes need to be made.
Sportsmail has taken a look at a player at each club who could make their breakthrough this season.
Arsenal fans may be worried about Alexis Sanchez leaving, but in Reiss Nelson they have a kid who might be ready to fill his sizeable boots. He impressed during the pre-season tour of Asia, looking better than the majority of senior players on the pitch. Arsene Wenger clearly considers him to be a talent too, giving him his first-team bow in the Community Shield against Chelsea. Expect him to feature.
Injuries and the presence of Jack Wilshere damaged Lewis Cook’s prospects in his first Premier League season, but expect the World Cup winning captain to make his mark this time around. You will see few midfielders of his age with the ability to drive the ball up the field and with his range of passing. Hard not to see him reaching the top of the game.
Chris Hughton tends to favour experienced senior players in his side, and a first Premier League campaign is not necessarily the best place to blood young players. But keep watch for George Cox, a young defender with an eye for a long-range goal or two. Brighton do not have a great tradition of kids coming through - that could soon change.
Daniel Agyei was handed his Burnley debut in March last season after impressing while on loan at Coventry in the first half of the season. Looked good in his cameo appearances for the Clarets but will be hoping for more game time now that Andre Gray has left the club.
Every season it’s easy to identify at least one Chelsea prospect who should be given a real chance in the first-team. It rarely pans out. But Charly Musonda has impressed over pre-season following a loan spell at Real Betis and with so few players in the squad after their summer sales, it is easy to see him getting chances. A place behind Alvaro Morata could beckon for Musonda, who offers a creative edge.
Dubbed ‘the new Wilfried Zaha’ by some fans, Jason Lokilo was given a chance on Crystal Palace’s tour of Hong Kong. He impressed there, showing off the fact that, like Zaha, he can take on opposition full-backs and befuddle them with skill. And with Frank de Boer openly saying he wants to give young players a chance, Lokilo could be the beneficiary.
Everton are gaining a reputation as a club that brings through impressive young players, with several involved in England’s Under-20s success this summer. A number broke through last season, but Jonjoe Kenny could hope for more chances this season. The right-back has a good chance of starting on the opening day of the season after a series of injuries. It’s hard not to see a player of his talent taking it.
David Wagner is always keen to let young players have a chance. Philip Billing played a lot of football for the Terriers as they were promoted last season. If Regan Booty does not head out on loan - which still looks possible - he should make a few appearances this season. A classy left-footed central midfielder who has been on the fringes of the first team for a season or two.
George Thomas already has a lot of first-team football to his name after an impressive spell with Coventry City. Moved to Leicester this summer. Has been warned by Sky Blues manager Mark Robins not to get lost in the Under-23s squad at the Foxes, and will be hopeful that he has been picked up to get a chance or two this campaign. Scored at Wembley last season in the EFL Trophy final.
Half of the Championship wanted Ryan Kent on loan this summer. But he has been handed a significant seal of approval by Jurgen Klopp, who refused to sanction another short-term switch away from Anfield. If it were not for Kent, it is hard to have seen Barnsley doing as well as they did last season. He’s a nifty winger with a lovely cross - could feature heavily in cups.
There are few better ways to introduce yourself at first-team level than scoring against Real Madrid. Brahim Diaz did that during pre-season, bending in a wicked left-footed strike as Manchester City tore apart the Spanish giants. He then impressed in the following fixtures of the tour. One of a group of three players that Pep Guardiola has earmarked for involvement this season.
Given the players that have come through Manchester United’s academy, being the youngest to score a hat-trick at that youth level in the club’s history marks a player out. Angel Gomes achieved that feat when 15. Also named the youth team player of the year last season, the youngest United player to do so. He made his first team debut against Crystal Palace and Jose Mourinho clearly believes he is one to bring through, making him the youngest player to make his debut since the iconic Duncan Edwards.
Jamie Sterry impressed while spending part of last season on loan with Coventry City in League One. A talented right-back who could break into the first-team given the paucity of options available to Rafa Benitez ahead of their Premier League return. That said, Sterry might feel more comfortable playing in the Championship for a season.
Southampton bring through player after player every season and the next coming through the pipeline has to be Alfie Jones. A 6ft tall central defender who has talent in both feet. He is also remarkably elegant for his size but is equally adept in the air. May benefit from a loan in the lower leagues, but Sportsmail’s Secret Scout had little to complain about when watching him last season.
It’s of note that reports suggested that if Monaco sold Kylian Mbappe, they would look to sign Julien Ngoy from Stoke. He is considered one of the best young players in Europe, despite few knowing his name. Ngoy has already made his bow for Stoke but he needs to find regular first-team football now to continue his progression.
Oliver McBurnie made his mark on his first-team bow for the Swans last season, scoring twice in the EFL Cup second round against Peterborough. The problem was that a relegation battle is never a good place for a young player to impress, and chances - beyond five appearances - were limited. Expect him to play more if Swansea start better.
A veritable Football Manager regen of a player. Kyle Walker-Peters has taken the first two parts of his £54million predecessor’s name and may end up taking his position on the first day of the season. Kieran Trippier injured himself against Juventus and with no other right-backs in the team, Walker-Peters may get a very early chance for Spurs.
Named on the bench for the game against West Brom towards the end of last season. It was notable because Walter Mazzarri decided to promote him despite having most of his first-team players available to him. Described as an ‘exciting prospect’ by Watford’s academy chief Chris McGuane.
Won the young player of the season award while on loan with Shrewsbury Town last campaign. Tony Pulis is not famed for giving young players a chance but that has changed in recent years, not least with the example of Jonathan Leko. Tyler Roberts has already trained with Wales’s first-team and Gareth Bale, which shows his pedigree.
It is symbolic of how highly rated Domingos Quina is that he was given his debut during West Ham’s ill-fated European campaign last season. Chased by the likes of Chelsea before he joined the Hammers and now wanted by Arsenal. Quina could break into the senior squad this season and offer creativity they sometimes lacked last time out.
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