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The football world is currently gripped by World Cup fever. The tournament in Russia has captured the attention of the world, with it being one of the most open and exciting tournaments we have seen in a long time.
But as we all have our eyes on what is going on in Russia, the Premier League season is fast approaching, and we are now just five weeks away from the opening game between Manchester United and Leicester City.
It will be a much-changed Premier League this year. For the first time in 22 years, Arsenal go into the new season without Arsene Wenger at the helm, with former PSG and Sevilla manager Unai Emery taking over
There have also been changes of manager at West Ham and Everton, while it is still up for debate as to whether Maurizio Sarri will replace Antonio Conte at Chelsea or not.
The big clubs will be looking to close the gap on Manchester City, after they ran away with the league last season, while the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal will be hoping for a return to the Champions League places.
On an individual note, we have already seen an awful lot of money spent this summer. Liverpool have gone big on Fabinho and Naby Keita, Manchester United paid over £50 million to sign Fred from Shakhtar Donetsk, and Manchester City are close to a £60 million move for Riyad Mahrez.
But it isn’t all about the big money deals. There are a number of younger players, or cheaper signings, who will be looking to make their mark. Here are five of them:
#5 Reiss Nelson (Arsenal)
Nelson was on the fringes of Arsenal’s Premier League side last season but got a good go in the Europa League side. He made eight appearances in Europe, compared to just three in the league. As someone who thrives best in attacking positions, either out wide or through the middle, the system that Arsenal deployed under Wenger didn’t really suit him. When he was given the chance in the team, he ended up playing wing-back, and rarely got the chance to show what he’s got to offer.
Unai Emery hasn’t been known to play a three at the back system, so if Nelson is given the opportunity in the side, it will be in a role that suits him more. He is only 18, so this season may come too early for him to be a key member of this side, but Arsenal are yet to bring in an attacking player in the transfer window, so it may be that Emery is prepared to give young players like Nelson an opportunity at the Emirates.
#2 Lewis Cook (Bournemouth)
Cook has been in and around this Bournemouth side for a while, but you feel there is still a lot more to come from the midfielder. He took a while to establish himself on the south coast following his move from Leeds, partly down to injuries. He made just six league appearances in his first year at the club, but it got a lot better last time out, making 35 league appearances for the Cherries.
Cook does have international pedigree though. He became the first England captain to lift a World Cup trophy in 51 years when he led England to the Under-20 world title in 2017. He has already made his senior England debut, but there is a lot more still to come. Bournemouth is the perfect team for him, as they get the ball down and play, and it suits the way he plays. He is incredibly gifted technically and has a big future ahead of him.
#3 Rhian Brewster
Much like Cook, Brewster is also a World Cup winner, having been part of the Under-17 side that won it last year. He also excelled individually, bringing home the Golden Boot, as well as being named the third best player at the tournament. He will certainly be at Anfield this year, after rumours linking him with a move away. In fact, Liverpool cancelled a pre-season friendly with Borussia Monchengladbach after claims they had tapped him up.
This could be a breakthrough season for him at Liverpool. There have been rumours linking both Danny Ings and Daniel Sturridge with a move away from Merseyside. If those two leave, there won’t be too many natural centre-forwards at the club, and this may be the chance for him to make his mark. Jurgen Klopp has shown that he is prepared to give younger players a chance in the first team, and if Brewster is good enough, he will be given the chance to prove it on the biggest stage.
#4 Phil Foden
There aren’t many players in world football who have the potential that Foden does. Like Brewster, he was part of that Under-17 side that won the World Cup last year, and he won the Golden Ball for best player. He already has a Premier League winners’ medal to his name, having made his fifth league appearance of the season on the final day of the season. He also appeared briefly in the EFL Cup Final, where Manchester City beat Arsenal 3-0 at Wembley.
He will want to have more of an impact in the first team this season though, as his talent deserves to be playing at the highest level. Pep Guardiola is the right manager for him to play under though, as his style of football suits Foden, and if he can learn from the likes of Kevin de Bruyne and David Silva, he could become a top player.
#5 Ruben Vinagre
Vinagre is the only foreign player on this list, but there is a lot of potential in the Portuguese full-back. He was on loan at Molineux last season, and Nunu Espirito Santo has chosen to bring him back to the club this season on a permanent deal from Monaco.
Wolves is the right club for him. When he was at his best last season, it was in the left-wing back role, and with the club likely to continue with a system that includes three centre-backs, that is where Vinagre will play. He may start the season as the understudy to Barry Douglas, but he will challenge the Scotsman for that role, and he is certainly good enough for the Premier League.
#6 Ryan Sessegnon (Fulham)
Sessegnon had a superb Championship season with Fulham last season, and played a crucial role at the Cottagers returned to the Premier League through the playoffs. He picked up five individual awards at the end of the season. He won the Player of the Year award, as well as the Young Player of the Year. In the process, he was nominated for the PFA Young Player of the Year award, the first Championship player to be nominated in the award's history.
He scored 15 goals in the Championship last season, proving that he is a crucial player in this Fulham side. There were suggestions that he would be included in the England World Cup squad, but it is likely Gareth Southgate left him out due to a lack of experience. For many, he is the real deal, and it seems likely that he will go to the top of the game. Fulham already have a side capable of surviving in the Premier League, and they will hope that Sessegnon can play a key role in keeping them up.
