In Focus: Five Premier League young guns from Palmer to Patino

Preparations for the new Premier League season are well under way and a host of youngsters are hoping 2022-23 could be their breakout campaign.

While clubs often spend big money on new signings, there is always the hope that one of their academy prospects can make the grade in the first team.

We pick out five starlets who could become a household name during the coming season.

Cole Palmer (Manchester City)

Manchester City have one of the most expensively assembled squads in Europe but the success of academy star Phil Foden shows the pathway is there for youngsters too.

There is genuine hope that Cole Palmer will be the next success story having made an impression in the first team last term.

The 20-year-old netted maiden strikes in the Champions League, Carabao Cup and FA Cup last term, as well as making four appearances in the Premier League.

After a fine finish against Club Brugge, boss Pep Guardiola said: “Cole [Palmer] has a special quality. But I know how it works with young players. We are calm and patient, like we were with Phil [Foden] as well.”

That Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling have been allowed to leave the Etihad this summer is perhaps a sign that the Spaniard thinks the attacker is now ready for more action.

Harvey Elliott (Liverpool)

A promising opening to last season saw Harvey Elliott start three of Liverpool’s first four Premier League games before a serious ankle injury suffered against Leeds saw him spend nearly five months on the sidelines.

But at 19, there is plenty of time for Elliott to become a Reds regular and an exceptional volley on his return to the team against Cardiff in February was a reminder of his vast potential.

Manager Jurgen Klopp has already suggested the teenager has a big part to play in the Reds midfield next term, likening his return to that of a new arrival.

The German boss said last week: “For me, Harvey Elliott is a new signing as well, after last season how he started.

“He is very young, came back brilliant, then had a little low, that is completely normal after being that long out. So, [we are] really excited about seeing him.”

Cameron Archer (Aston Villa)

Steven Gerrard was thought to be keen to bring another striker in at Aston Villa this summer to support Danny Ings and Ollie Watkins, with former Liverpool team-mate Luis Suarez tipped for a move.

But those links have significantly died down of late and it could well be down to how much Cameron Archer, 20, has impressed during pre-season.

The Walsall-born ace burst on to the scene with a hat-trick in the Carabao Cup against Barrow last term before scoring an excellent header against Chelsea in the following round.

He then netted seven goals in 20 appearances during a fruitful loan at Preston in the second half of the campaign and followed that up with four in his first four appearances for the England Under-21s.

A host of second-tier clubs were said to be keen on another temporary switch but after popping up with another expertly-taken finish in pre-season against Walsall, there is every chance he could push for a starting spot at Villa Park in 2022-23.

Charlie Patino (Arsenal)

Arsenal have had a healthy production line of talented youngsters graduate into the first team in recent years and much of the excitement is now focused on technically-gifted midfielder Charlie Patino.

The 18-year-old scored just 10 minutes into his senior debut in a 5-1 rout of Sunderland in the Carabao Cup and was handed his first start in the FA Cup against Nottingham Forest before injury curtailed his shot at more outings for Mikel Arteta’s side.

He did make the bench for Arsenal’s final four Premier League games last term, perhaps something that may become a more regular occurrence for the former Luton starlet next term.

Europa League football being on the agenda for the Gunners next season could be the perfect chance for the England U-19s international to showcase his talent on a regular basis.

Malcolm Ebiowei (Crystal Palace)

After fighting off competition from Manchester United, Crystal Palace’s signing of Malcolm Ebiowei from Derby could turn out to be a real coup.

The 18-year-old tricky winger impressed during a troubled season for the Rams overall, featuring 16 times in the Championship and even scoring his first senior goal.

After a 1-1 draw with Coventry, then Derby boss and former Premier League golden boy Wayne Rooney was effusive in his praise for the teenager.

The Manchester United legend said: “I thought he was excellent all game, the best player on the pitch. It was one of the best performances I have seen from a young player, consistently for 90 minutes, in a long time.

“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.”