7 young stars set for a breakthrough season in the Premier League
While Premier League clubs continue to spend money on high-profile signings, there is also an exciting crop of youngsters ready to burst onto the scene in 2022-23.
Fans love watching young players work their way into the first team and clubs hope to unearth the next Bukayo Saka or Phil Foden.
We’ve taken a look at nine Under-21 players that could become household names in 2022-23.
Alejandro Garnacho
Garnacho shot to prominence last season with his performances for Manchester United’s Under-18s in the prestigious FA Youth Cup.
The winger registered 10 direct goal contributions in six appearances in the competition, including two goals in the final as United lifted the trophy for the first time since 2011.
He’s since enjoyed a productive summer, scoring four goals for Argentina Under-20s at the Tournoi Maurice Revello and winning the revelation of the tournament award.
According to the Daily Mirror, United boss Erik ten Hag has told senior staff at Old Trafford that he intends to fast-track Garnacho’s career.
The 18-year-old made two first-team appearances under Ralf Rangnick last season and has already made one more appearance this term, as a sub in the loss to Brighton. Expect him to add to that, acting as back-up for the likes of Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho.
READ: ‘A full-back’s nightmare’ – What’s been said about Alejandro Garnacho
Kaide Gordon
One of two Derby County academy graduates on this list, Gordon made his Championship debut at the age of 16 before joining Liverpool in February 2021.
The winger initially played for Liverpool’s Under-18s but his impressive performances managed to catch the attention of their first-team coaches.
“I went to watch Under-23s training and I see one player and he has fire in each moment he touched the ball,” Liverpool assistant Pepijn Lijnders said in September 2021.
“He passes players like they are not standing there, so I call Jurgen immediately like, ‘Wow, we have a new player here!’”
The 17-year-old made four first-team appearances in 2021-22 and scored his first senior goal in an FA Cup win over Shrewsbury, becoming Liverpool’s second youngest goalscorer in all competitions.
While Jurgen Klopp has some great attacking options at his disposal, Gordon has the talent to break through and become a key player.
Archie Gray
The youngest player on this list, Gray was only four months old when Zinedine Zidane headbutted Marco Materazzi in the 2006 World Cup final.
After his dad, grandad and great uncle all played for Leeds United, he followed in their footsteps by joining their academy.
The midfielder made 13 appearances for the Under-23s in Premier League 2 last season and scored a 35-yard screamer against Manchester United just three days after his 16th birthday.
He was also an unused substitute in six Premier League games in 2021-22 but starred for the first team in their pre-season friendlies.
“I can’t help but get excited when I talk about him because you can see it’s not just his talent, it’s his personality and he shows that when he plays,” Leeds boss Jesse Marsch said recently.
“He’s ready for some big challenges so let’s see how it goes.”
Introducing Archie Gray. pic.twitter.com/7bWjyVMrSS
— Joe Donnohue (@JoeDonnohue) March 15, 2022
Harvey Vale
Chelsea’s academy is widely regarded as one of the best in European football and Vale is the latest talent from their conveyor belt.
He registered five goals and three assists in Premier League 2 in 2021-22 and his performances saw him win their Academy Player of the Year award, following in the footsteps of Mason Mount, Reece James and Conor Gallagher.
The midfielder carried his impressive form into the summer, captaining England Under-19s as they became European champions.
Having made a handful of appearances for Thomas Tuchel’s senior team in the domestic cups last season, he looks ready to make his Premier League bow soon.
READ: Harvey Vale’s 55-yard lob: Ultimate proof he’s Chelsea’s latest ‘baller’
Cole Palmer
Not content with having a world-class player like Phil Foden, Manchester City’s academy is still producing great prospects like Palmer.
The 20-year-old showed glimpses of his talent last season, appearing in four Premier League matches and scoring in the Champions League, Carabao Cup and FA Cup.
He’s already made two brief sub appearances this term and he looks set for more first-team opportunities following Pep Guardiola’s decision to sell both Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus.
Malcolm Ebiowei
The second Derby County academy graduate, Ebiowei made his senior debut earlier this year and scored one goal in 16 Championship appearances.
“It was one of the best performances I have seen from a young player, consistently for 90 minutes, in a long time,” Wayne Rooney said after the teenager produced a Man of the Match performance against Coventry.
“He deserved that because he has worked extremely hard. His attitude is incredible, he wants to learn and he is an exciting young player. First of all, his attitude is very good.
“He has got an enormous amount of ability, he is brave, he will take the ball, he is not afraid to take players on, to get tackled, to make mistakes. So he has got a really bright future.”
Crystal Palace reportedly fought off interest from Manchester United and Tottenham to sign the winger on a five-year deal.
Palace have previously signed Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze from the Championship and Ebiowei will be looking to follow in their footsteps.
The early flashes of Malcolm Ebiowei remind me so much of a young Wilfried Zaha.
This lad is going to be so fun to watch. 🕺
— HLTCO (@HLTCO) July 21, 2022
Cameron Archer
A product of the Aston Villa academy, Archer made his first start for the club against Barrow in the EFL Cup in September 2021 and hit the ground running with a hat-trick.
He then spent the second half of last season on loan at Preston North End, scoring seven goals in 20 Championship appearances before following that up with four goals in his first four appearances for England Under-21s.
The striker has since scored two goals in Villa’s pre-season tour of Australia and has reportedly impressed Steven Gerrard, who wants to keep him around the first-team squad.
“Cam showed everything that’s Cam’s about, movement, quality – he could have had a hat-trick,” Gerrard said after a 1-0 win over Brisbane Roar. “With Cam, if you don’t let me leave the room and I’d have to make a decision now, he’d be staying in the door.
“At the moment, [Archer would be staying] because [he’s] really stepped forward. What he’s doing is he’s sending messages to more experienced people that there’s a fight on from now until the game against Bournemouth – and beyond because the window is still open. [He’s] given me serious things to think about.”
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