A string of youthful talent has caught the eye this summer and could be set for increased roles heading into the new campaign
It's been an odd pre-season for most Premier League clubs. With various players' involvement in the European Championship and Copa America leaving them unable to partake in their side's overseas tours, the gaps have been plugged by a string of young players desperate to impress before the new campaign kicks-off.
Of course, getting to watch your team's next big thing has always been an integral part of these summer warm-up games. But the unique circumstances have provided more youthful talent than ever with the opportunity to force their way into the senior squad.
Many have grasped this chance with both hands, and we could be seeing a lot more of them when the proper stuff kicks off next week. Here, then, are 10 such youngsters who have seriously improved their standings during pre-season…
Getty ImagesHarry Amass (Manchester United)
Having witnessed Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo force their way into the senior squad, the Manchester United youngsters included in the travelling party to the United States this summer will have been conscious that there is no age barrier preventing them from breaking into the first team. There's been a couple of standout performers, with Will Fish looking assured prior to picking up a nasty injury, while fellow young defender Harry Amass deserves immense credit too.
The left-back, signed in 2023 from Watford, has looked strong going in both directions and even registered an assist in the victory over Real Betis where he was engaged in a fascinating running battle with Hector Bellerin. Ten Hag is clearly excited about Amass, perhaps seeing a pathway to the first team this season due to Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia's fitness issues.
"In this moment he needs to catch up and he has to develop some of the skills needed to play for Manchester United, when we are competing for the highest position in the league," the Dutchman said of the 17-year-old recently. "But with big talent it can go very quickly and it is very interesting to see if he is capable of doing this."
AdvertisementGetty ImagesLucas Bergvall (Tottenham)
After fighting off competition from Barcelona to seal his signature in February 2024, Spurs fans have finally been able to catch a glimpse of Lucas Bergvall this pre-season. So far, there's been no complaints, with the Swede looking comfortable in the roaming playmaker role James Maddison thrived in last season.
Bergvall registered an assist on his Tottenham debut against Hearts and, after shaking off an injury picked up in a clash with QPR, he's racked up more minutes on the club's tour of Asia. Some fans have even called for him to start ahead of Maddison when the season gets going, though Postecoglou has warned that the young Swede needs more time to get used to his demanding training methods.
Getty ImagesOscar Bobb (Manchester City)
Oscar Bobb is hardly a fresh face on the block, having racked up a decent amount of substitute appearances for Manchester City last season. However, it still feels like this pre-season has been important in him moving up the pecking order at the Etihad Stadium.
With a sizeable proportion of the first-team squad missing due to their international commitments, Bobb was City's standout player on their U.S. tour, scoring twice and chipping in with three assists. After he was involved in all three of his side's goals against Celtic, Guardiola hailed the Norwegian's "incredible potential", and with his rivals for the right-wing position unlikely to be up to speed for Saturday's Community Shield, Bobb will surely be heavily involved at Wembley.
Getty ImagesFabio Carvalho (Liverpool)
At the end of last season, it seemed like Fabio Carvalho's Liverpool career was over. After struggling to break into the first team following his arrival in summer 2022, then-manager Jurgen Klopp confirmed that the midfielder wasn't happy with his playing time and he was shipped out on loan to RB Leipzig in July 2023.
That didn't work out either, though a change of scenery at Hull City last January did suggest that his talent had not waned. Still, with reports of attitude problems hanging over him, it seemed like the opportune time to move on this summer. But incoming boss Arne Slot has had other ideas.
Initially impressed by the Portuguese, Carvalho responded to the trust Slot has placed in him by scoring against both Arsenal and Manchester United. And with the Reds rejecting an offer from Southampton for him in recent days, it would seem that his Anfield story isn't quite over yet.