Ten potential breakout stars to watch out for in the Premier League this season | Premier League
Lucas Bergvall, 18, Tottenham
Swedish teenager Lucas Bergvall agreed an £8.5m move from Djurgården in February, before officially joining Tottenham this summer. Bergvall is a versatile midfielder, well suited to a number 8 role in Ange Postecoglou's fluid Tottenham system. The 18-year-old, who has already been capped once for his national team, is more than capable of winning back possession in the middle of the park, before making the right pass for a teammate further forward. Bergvall has impressed in pre-season and provided a smart assist for compatriot Dejan Kulusevski against Tottenham. Bayern Munich last weekend.
Harry Amass, 17, Manchester United
Another player who has staked a claim to more regular first-team involvement during pre-season is Manchester United’s Harry Amass. In the absence of left-back Luke Shaw, Amass played in each of United’s summer friendlies, proving, perhaps, that he can be considered as a back-up in that department for Erik ten Hag. Amass plays with impressive assurance and a style eerily similar to Shaw’s. His ability on the ball stands out, particularly when he picks out a teammate with his dominant left foot, and with Shaw now unavailable until after the international break, Amass should be given more opportunities to impress.
Oscar Bobb, 21, Manchester City
Although he may already be a household name, given his cameos in Manchester City Over the course of last season, Oscar Bobb looks set to make a real impact under Pep Guardiola. The Norway international started all of the Premier League champions’ friendly matches over the summer and shone in Saturday’s Community Shield win over rivals United. Playing on the right, Bobb can cause havoc when cutting inside with his left foot or coming out to beat his opponent on the byline – this was evidenced at Wembley by the wonderful first touch and turn that saw him beat Lisandro Martinez to set up Bernardo Silva.
Myles Lewis-Skelly, 17, Arsenal
Predominantly regarded as a central midfielder during his time at the Arsenal Academy graduate Myles Lewis-Skelly could break into Mikel Arteta’s first team sooner rather than later. In pre-season, the 17-year-old has been integrated into the team as a left-back, but with licence to come inside and move into midfield, where he can affect the game when in possession. Lewis-Skelly is very well-rounded technically, able to place a pass between the lines and carry the ball with determination, while out of possession, he is tenacious, using his body well to make tackles. The Hale End graduate can also play as a centre-back, if required, and his useful versatility will appeal to Arteta.
Tyler Dibling, 18, Southampton
Tyler Dibling, a versatile attacker who has now settled into the No. 10 role as their top choice, is the latest player to emerge from Southampton's renowned academy. After failing to produce an elite talent in recent times, the Saints have high hopes for the England Under-18 international. Dibling is an exceptional ball carrier, capable of advancing play upfield in seconds. He behaves in a similar way to a young Jack Grealish, beating opponents' challenges, wearing his socks and shin pads as low as the Manchester City star. In 2022, Dibling went viral after scoring a hat-trick of identical goals against Newcastle Under-23s at St James' Park. This weekend, the teenager could play in a Premier League match at the same stadium.
Trey Nyoni, 17, Liverpool
The 17-year-old Liverpool Midfielder Trey Nyoni could be the latest youngster to establish himself in the first team and, after a handful of impressive pre-season performances, it would be no surprise to see him stay there this season. After moving from Leicester to Merseyside last summer, Nyoni impressed with Liverpool’s Under-21s before making his first-team debut in the FA Cup in February. In the few minutes he has played at senior level, Nyoni has shown composure and maturity beyond his years. Perhaps Liverpool’s failure to secure the signing of Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi will allow the youngster more time to shine under Arne Slot.
Marc Guiu, 18 years old, Chelsea
Should he remain at the club as part of what is now an extremely bloated squad, and not be sent out on loan? Chelsea Striker Marc Guiu could make a huge impact. The 18-year-old swapped Barcelona for London in July for an estimated €6m (£5.1m), having made just three senior league appearances for the Catalan giants last season. Despite arriving for just a fraction of the price paid by many of his new team-mates, the teenager was one of the Blues’ star players during pre-season under new manager Enzo Maresca. Guiu is a tenacious and dynamic attacker and not a traditional, physically imposing No9, but one whose tireless work-rate and pressing will be crucial to the philosophy Maresca is trying to instil at Stamford Bridge.
Lewis Hall, 19, Newcastle
Former Chelsea player Lewis Hall saw his loan move to Newcastle made permanent this summer after certain clauses were met during his time on Tyneside last season. Still just 19, Hall looks like he has been at the club for quite some time after his early breakthrough under Graham Potter in 2022. But he struggled to get regular game time at Newcastle, with the likes of Kieran Trippier, Dan Burn and Tino Livramento all dropping him out of the starting XI before Eddie Howe handed him more opportunities towards the end of the campaign; he then started all four of Newcastle’s pre-season friendlies at left-back, and is expected to arrive in the Premier League as the club’s first-choice. Given the well-publicised shortage of players in that position in England, it would be no surprise to see Hall called up to the senior squad between now and the end of the season.
Yankuba Minteh, 20, Brighton
From a talent in Newcastle’s squad to one who was released this summer. Yankuba Minteh left for Brighton for a reported £33m, and Newcastle’s loss (enforced by the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules) is undoubtedly Brighton’s gain. The Seagulls were quick to snap up the 20-year-old, and rightly so. During his loan spell at Feyenoord last season, the Gambian winger scored 10 goals and provided six assists in just under 1,500 minutes of league action – in other words, Minteh was directly involved in front of goal in almost every game. Minteh, who turned 20 in July, was the highest-rated teenager in the Dutch top flight during his loan spell and also racked up the sixth-most successful dribbles (59) of any player in the division. The exciting young attacker is expected to play a major role under new Brighton manager Fabian Hürzeler.
Mikey Moore, 17, Tottenham
Tottenham's Mikey Moore, the youngest player on our list, is regarded as one of England's most promising talents. The 17-year-old capped a great summer by signing his first professional contract with Spurs the day after his birthday last weekend, a summer in which he was the star of his country at the European Under-17 Championships in Cyprus. Moore scored a brace in the opening group game against France and scored again in group games against Portugal and Spain. Upon his return to Tottenham early in pre-season, he was told he would spend the next few weeks with Ange Postecoglou's first team, and he grabbed the opportunity with both hands. He scored in Spurs' first friendly against Hearts, then provided an assist three days later against Queens Park Rangers. Moore can play in virtually any position across the front line, including out wide, as a No. 9, No. 10 or even further back as an eight and stands out above the rest with his exceptional dribbling ability, link-up play and impressive finishing. In May, Moore became Spurs’ youngest ever Premier League player when he came on in the home defeat to Manchester City and we expect him to start a number of top-flight games before the end of the season.
