As we near the first weekend of the Premier League season, there will be plenty of youngsters champing at the bit to make a name for themselves.
Pre-season friendlies have, as ever, given supporters a closer look at the younger members of their teams' squads. Academy talents and young new arrivals have joined up with more senior figures, and some have even outshone their more recognised teammates.
Some youngsters at top teams have already established themselves in top leagues, from the likes of Phil Foden in the Premier League to Arsenal's returning loanee William Saliba in Ligue 1. Here, though, we have taken a closer look at those with fewer top-level games who could be set for a big step forward.
Zidane Iqbal
Manchester United starlet Iqbal made his senior debut in last season's Champions League before becoming a senior international footballer with Iraq. He has yet to feature in the Premier League, but that could change very soon based on the noises from around Old Trafford.
The midfielder has impressed in pre-season, catching the eye in the win against Melbourne Victory with a fine piece of skill. Manager Erik ten Hag has been impressed by the 19-year-old, and the loss of several midfield options - coupled with the failure to bring in significant reinforcements - could be good news.
Iqbal said earlier in the month that it was too early to consider a loan exit, though other academy talents have taken that step. As Ten Hag goes about his first season, there's a chance for the starlet to follow the likes of Anthony Elanga into the first-team setup.
Which youngster are you most excited about this season? Have your say in the comments section
Romeo Lavia
Lavia was among the Manchester City youngsters tipped to break through at the Etihad Stadium. Instead, he has been allowed to leave on a permanent deal, though reports suggest City have a buy-back clause which they may want to exercise if the midfielder thrives at new club Southampton.
18-year-old Lavia made his senior City debut last term, playing the full 90 minutes in a 6-1 League Cup victory over Wycombe Wanderers. He also replaced Ilkay Gundogan in an FA Cup victory at Swindon, but didn't feature in the league despite making the bench on a number of occasions,
“Roméo is coming from one of the best teams in the world, learning from the best manager and the best players," Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl said of the signing. "Now it is up to him to show us why he deserves to play in the Premier League, as we hope to help take his game to the next level.”
Malcolm Ebiowei
Crystal Palace have an impressive record of bringing through youngsters, whether from their own academy or elsewhere. The likes of Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Tyrick Mitchell have thrived in recent years, and Ebiowei could well become the next.
The winger only made his senior professional debut last season, but impressed enough at Derby County to have the likes of Manchester United sniffing around. Palace beat them to the punch, though, and the teenage star impressed Patrick Vieira and the watching fans during pre-season.
Indeed, according to The Sun, Vieira has blocked a loan exit after watching Ebiowei during the Eagles' tour games. There's plenty of competition for places in Palace's attack, but the 18-year-old will hope to show he can deliver in the Premier League.
Moises Caicedo
Brighton have lost one of their more consistent performers this summer with Yves Bissouma joining Tottenham Hotspur. However, the departure of the Malian could provide the perfect opportunity for Caicedo to step up.
The Ecuador international was on the radar of a number of European clubs after his performances for Independiente del Valle, for whom he scored in a shock 5-0 win over Flamengo in the 2020 Copa Libertadores. It was Brighton who won the race, though, and Caicedo made his debut last season after a few months on loan in Belgium.
Caicedo returned early from that loan, and scored his first goal for the Seagulls in a 4-0 victory over Manchester United. With Bissouma gone he should have more opportunities, and has already shown his quality despite only turning 20 midway through last season.
Neco Williams
For a while it looked as though Williams would be the next Liverpool academy talent to break into the first team after Trent Alexander-Arnold and Curtis Jones. However, after just 13 league games - many of them from the bench - the 21-year-old has been allowed to make a permanent move to Nottingham Forest.
Williams showed plenty of quality during a loan spell at Fulham last season, helping the London side earn promotion. He's also impressed in a Liverpool shirt in cup competitions, and now is his chance to do the same in the Premier League.
Forest have shown their faith in the Welsh international by forking out £17m. A chance to link up with international teammate Brennan Williams ahead of the World Cup could well spur on the right-back to make strides.
Cole Palmer
It takes something really special for a Manchester City academy player to impress Pep Guardiola enough to earn a run in the team. Foden has it, and Cole Palmer may just have it too.
After making his debut in 2020, Palmer got a few more minutes last season. The 20-year-old scored on his Champions League debut against Club Brugge and ended the campaign with three goals from just 11 appearances.
“Cole has a special quality in front of the box, a talent that is difficult to find," Guardiola said back in October, while urging the youngster to be patient. "When he has the ball there, most of the time it ends up in the net. It’s difficult to find that."
Aaron Ramsey
England's under-19 side made a big impression earlier in the summer, winning every game en route to European Championships glory. At the heart of that team was a group of Aston Villa players, all of whom will feel they have a bright future.
Carney Chukwuemeka was perhaps the best-known of the midfield trio, having played 11 league games last season, and the teenager has been attracting interest from the likes of AC Milan. Tim Iroegbunam has also featured in the Premier League, but the third member - 19-year-old Ramsey - could be next in line.
The younger brother of Villa star Jacob, who scored six league goals last season, Aaron scored the clincher as England beat Israel after extra-time in the Euros final. He spent the second half of last season on loan at Cheltenham Town and could need a Championship loan before stepping up, but manager Steven Gerrard has shown he's ready to give youth a chance.
