In football, there’s nothing like the next big thing.Seasoned campaigners and household names take the spotlight, but supporters are powerless to resist the allure of an up-and-coming or unknown player who may go on to make their mark as the season wears on.There are no guarantees that any of them will take England’s top flight by storm but there’s no harm in daring to dream, either. Here, writers from The Athletic shine a light on a rising star from every Premier League club.Arsenal — Marli Salmon, 16, defenderArsenal may possess eye-watering central defensive depth, which has just been topped up by the signing of Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa — but there’s also a 16-year-old who has been earmarked to one day break into the picture.Marli Salmon will only be eligible for a loan move when he turns 17 on August 29 but Arsenal plan to keep him at the Emirates Stadium until at least January.He impressed against Como and Borussia Dortmund in pre-season, just like he did in February 2025 alongside compatriot Max Dowan in an FA Youth Cup quarter-final against Manchester United.Marli Salmon features for Arsenal during pre-season (Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)Aston Villa — George Hemmings, 19, midfielderIf it came to it, Aston Villa were prepared to listen to offers for all of their younger players this summer but only two academy members were considered not for sale — midfielders Bradley Burrowes and George Hemmings.As Jacob Tanswell explains, multiple clubs have been keen to sign Hemmings on loan but the 19-year-old has been given an extended opportunity by Unai Emery during pre-season and could stick around to be part of Villa’s first-team squad.Hemmings, an adept ball-carrier who has played in deeper positions and as an attacking midfielder during his development, has been compared to former academy graduate Jacob Ramsey.Bournemouth — Alvaro Rodriguez, 22, strikerThere are a host of players to pick from in this Bournemouth squad.Centre-back Veljko Milosavljevic is 19. Rayan and Eli Junior Kroupi are 20, but had their breakout campaigns last season. Even Portugal international Antonio Silva, who arrived from Benfica in August, is only 22.But my pick is another 22-year-old summer signing, Alvaro Rodriguez. The left-footed striker is clinical in front of goal, scoring seven goals and assisting five more in La Liga for Elche last season. His hold-up play is an asset, while he is comfortable shifting out wide, too. His decision-making in transition situations is also promising.With Kroupi nursing a foot injury, Rodriguez is likely to be Evanilson’s understudy and could benefit from running at tired defences late in games.Anantaajith RaghuramanBrentford — Luka Bentt, 18, midfielderRaised in Washington, D.C., Bentt took an unusual path to Brentford via D.C. United and the Cre8tive Academy in west London. After catching the eye while playing for Brentford’s ‘B’ team, Bentt was called up to Keith Andrews’ matchday squad for a 1-0 win against Aston Villa in the Premier League in February, and later made his first-team debut in an FA Cup win over Macclesfield. The rangy midfielder, who has an eye for goal, is eligible for the United States but has chosen to represent Belgium at youth level.Dan KilpatrickThe Athletic’s Gameweek 1 predictionsElias Burke and Rachael TindeBrighton — Jack Hinshelwood, 21, midfielderHinshelwood was on Thomas Tuchel’s long list of 55 names for the England squad for this summer’s World Cup. The versatile 21-year-old flourished when switched from central midfield to ‘No 10’ (attacking midfielder) towards the end of last season, scoring three goals with two assists in 11 Premier League games.The technically accomplished academy product, an England Under-21 international, has also played at right-back and he has already chalked up 73 first-team appearances. Andy NaylorChelsea — Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli, 16, midfielderWhen Xabi Alonso likes what he sees, you know you have a promising future in store.Out of all the under-21s or academy players taken on Chelsea’s pre-season tour of Australia and Asia recently, Nicoll-Jazuli played the most. Only six senior players got more game time than his 246 minutes. That is some feat for a 16-year-old.At a press conference in Sydney, where the England Under-17 international was born, Alonso was full of praise for Nicoll-Jazuli. Chelsea’s new manager said: “Mahdi is a talent we need to help, to develop because he has special qualities you don’t see often from a 16-year old guy. He has great dynamism and quality — he is a very complete player. He can pass short, dribble in the middle. He has made a good impression.’’Australia-born Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli, left, is an England youth international (David Gray/AFP via Getty Images)Chelsea have very high hopes, giving him a new deal in July that initially incorporates scholarship terms but will then move to a professional contract when he turns 17 in January.Nicoll-Jazuli can operate in almost any midfield role. It would not be surprising if he made his senior debut this season, with the Carabao Cup representing an early opportunity.Simon JohnsonCoventry City — Caleb Yirenkyi, 20, midfielderFor their return to the Premier League after 25 years away, Coventry have invested heavily in their squad, spending close to £130million. Among the new arrivals is Yirenkyi, a club-record signing who manager Frank Lampard told reporters last week, including The Athletic, was a player he wanted all summer. Making his first appearance for Coventry last week in their final pre-season friendly against Monaco, the Ghana midfielder was a standout performer and energetic presence in central midfield.“It (the move) is a really good step for him. He’s going to go on to a lot of things in his career,” Lampard said after the game. Yirenkyi could be the key to Coventry’s hopes of retaining their Premier League status this season. Tom BurrowsCrystal Palace — Joel Drakes-Thomas, 17, forwardDrakes-Thomas became Crystal Palace’s youngest player to feature in the Premier League when he came off the bench against Leeds, aged 16 years and 194 days, in December last year.The forward, who can also play as a wing-back, is viewed with great promise at Palace and signed a professional contract in June, writes Matt Woosnam.Drakes-Thomas’s first-team debut came a few days before his league bow when he started in a Conference League game against Finnish side KuPS. The Europa League campaign offers at least another eight games, so he stands a chance of being given further chances to impress.Everton — Tyrique George, 20, wingerGeorge made just one Premier League start last season after joining Everton on loan at the end of the winter window, yet he believes that he is in the best place for his development.As Patrick Boyland explains, the winger, who has now made a permanent move to Merseyside for an initial £18million, is seen as a talented young player who can add goal threat and direct running from wide areas, and is viewed as a potential future England international.The belief at Everton is that they are assembling a core of gifted youngsters and it is the former Chelsea youngster who is closest to regular minutes, particularly with uncertainty lingering over a move for Manchester City’s Jack Grealish, another loanee last season.Fulham — Luc de Fougerolles, 20, defenderAfter years of relying on experience, youth is taking over at Fulham.Alvaro Arbeola’s reign will thrive or crumble on whether Gonzalo Garcia can adapt to the Premier League, and whether Josh King and other talented players can take on greater responsibility.Attacking talents will grab the headlines but in defence, the sale of Issa Diop to Ipswich Town could present Luc de Fougerolles with an opportunity. Physically imposing off the ball and composed in possession, the 20-year-old Canada centre-back showed at the World Cup that he has the attributes to thrive in the Premier League.De Fougerolles has only made one senior appearance, in the Carabao Cup, since joining Fulham as an eight-year-old, but with Joachim Andersen suspended for Monday’s opening league game against Chelsea, his opportunity could come sooner than expected.Justin GuthrieHull City — Lucas Herrington, 18, defenderHull’s academy production line has slowed after the emergence of Keane Lewis-Potter and Jacob Greaves, and there is no obvious homegrown candidate ready to break through in the Premier League. We can still expect faith to be placed in youngsters this season, including summer signing Lucas Herrington. The 18-year-old central defender was signed from MLS side Colorado Rapids for an initial fee of £13million and joins after featuring prominently for Australia at the World Cup.Herrington suffered the heartache of missing a penalty in his country’s shootout defeat to Egypt in the competition’s last 32 but his composure and technical ability make him one to watch.Phil BuckinghamIpswich Town — Emersonn, 22, strikerIpswich have followed the top-flight trend of shopping locally and bringing in tried-and-tested Premier League experience this summer — with one exception. Brazilian striker Emersonn, 22, has been trusted to lead the line after signing from Toulouse.He has proved to be a handful in pre-season. Emersonn can occupy defenders with his physicality — not quite to the same extent that Liam Delap did so effectively two years ago — but has a deftness to his play too, catching the eye with smart touches and link-up play.Ali RamplingLeeds United — Jayden Lienou, 18, defenderLeeds’ squad has at least two seasoned options in virtually every position but at left wing-back, there isn’t really a solid backup option to Gabriel Gudmundsson.As Beren Cross writes, Jayden Lienou, the left-back they took from Manchester City last summer, is building up steam.Lienou graduated to Leeds’ matchday squads in the league over the final weeks of last season and then signed a new contract until 2029, and in May, he earned a senior call-up with Wales.Leeds’ Jayden Lienou has been called up by Wales already (Daniel Bartel/Getty Images)Liverpool — Trey Nyoni, 19, midfielderHe has been talked about at Anfield since joining the club from Leicester City in 2023 but this season might just be the one where Nyoni makes his breakthrough.As Gregg Evans writes, with Curtis Jones leaving for Inter, space is opening up in Liverpool’s midfield and the 19-year-old might sense an opportunity to move up the pecking order.Nyoni featured heavily during pre-season and impressed new head coach Andoni Iraola, who said: “Even when he has one opponent quite close, he asks for that ball and he’s confident, he doesn’t rush. That is very valuable.”Manchester City — Ryan McAidoo, 18, wingerA combination of Enzo Maresca’s preference for aggressive wing play and a lack of suitable options in the transfer window could lead to McAidoo enjoying a breakthrough season at Manchester City.As Sam Lee explains, the 18-year-old left-footed winger who plays off the right-hand side and likes to cut in and shoot, and is a relentless dribbler, could benefit from Savinho’s impending move to Tottenham Hotspur.He made his debut last season under Pep Guardiola and scored a fine goal in a 10-1 FA Cup victory against Exeter City, which he celebrated by running to the crowd and hugging his dad.Manchester United — Shea Lacey, 19, wingerAn unfortunate sending-off in the FA Cup third round last season halted Lacey’s promising start to life in United’s first team proper. The 19-year-old trained exclusively with the senior team in the latter half of the 2025-26 season, receiving special dispensation when required to play in particular academy games.Lacey enjoyed a good pre-season tour, starting the initial two matches as a ‘No 10’ (attacking midfielder) in Michael Carrick’s 4-2-3-1 system before moving to a role on the right wing as United’s senior players returned from World Cup duties.The Liverpool-born teenager is the 256th academy player to feature for the club’s senior team: a left-footed, skilled dribbler with an excellent long-range shot.Carl AnkaNewcastle United — Sean Steur, 18, midfielderAs Chris Waugh writes, there is a star-in-the-making quality about Steur.There is hype building around the 18-year-old midfielder who was signed from Ajax in July and he may even start in Newcastle’s opening Premier League game against Liverpool on Sunday.Those who have worked with Steur cite his maturity and refer to him as 18 going on 25, and the Dutchman stands out for the way he demands possession and his desire to play forward.Newcastle signed midfielder Sean Steur from Ajax this summer (Ed Sykes/Getty Images)Nottingham Forest — Grady McDonnell 18, midfielderGrady McDonnell is a Canadian-born teenager with Irish roots who built his reputation playing in Belgium — and he models his game on England and Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham.As Paul Taylor explains, 18-year-old McDonnell joined Forest in June as a B-team player but was almost immediately recommended to Oliver Glasner as a young player ready to train with the first team.In May 2024, the dynamic midfielder became the third-youngest player to play in the Canadian Premier League at 16 and while it may be a while before he is properly challenging for a regular place in the Forest first team, McDonnell has made a promising early impression.Sunderland — Chris Rigg, 19, attacking midfielderLabelling someone who made their first-team debut almost four years ago a ‘rising star’ feels odd but Rigg was 15 when he burst out of Sunderland’s academy and has been carefully managed, even as he closes on 100 senior appearances.Rigg was outstanding in the bubbling cauldron that is the Tyne-Wear derby in March, and the groundwork has been firmly laid for a hugely talented midfielder to push on again this term. Five of his 11 Premier League starts came in the final two months of last season. Expect his role to grow.Chris WeatherspoonTottenham Hotspur — Luca Williams-Barnett, 17, attacking midfielderWhen discussing Luca Williams-Barnett’s pre-season displays, Roberto De Zerbi remarked that Tottenham Hotspur must “manage him like a precious diamond”.But while his stock has increased rapidly over pre-season, as Elias Burke writes, the hype over this 17-year-old playmaker is nothing new.Williams-Barnett made his under-18s debut aged just 15 and was the attacking star of Tottenham’s run in the UEFA Youth League, scoring five times in their 9-1 demolition of Slavia Prague.He already made his senior debut for Spurs in the Carabao Cup in September 2025 and De Zerbi has also branded him “potentially a special player”.