As Premier League clubs continue their money-spinning tours around the globe, one of the key dynamics to pre-season is which youngsters are given an opportunity to shine.
On Wednesday, for example, Tottenham’s Luca Williams-Barnett, 17, scored a panenka against Sydney FC and Rio Ngumoha, 17, impressed for Liverpool in their victory over Wrexham.
Many of those youngsters are there to make up the numbers while first-team stars return from the World Cup, and several will then head out on loan to the EFL.
Yet some of those teenagers excelling ahead of the campaign may be breaking through at exactly the right time, preparing themselves for a bumper Premier League campaign.
So, in light of the pre-season calendar and younger players being given some exposure, Daily Mail Sport has picked out five teenagers primed for a big season.
For context, we have chosen youngsters who are yet to establish themselves as regulars, meaning Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly and Fulham’s Josh King are among those discounted.
Liverpool wonderkid Rio Ngumoha impressed in their pre-season victory over Wrexham
Rio Ngumoha, Club: Liverpool, Age: 17
Ngumoha needs little introduction given the hype surrounding him, which only increased after his memorable goal against Newcastle at the start of last season.
Arne Slot was cautious with the winger for the rest of the campaign though as he made just five Premier League starts, all of which came after February.
At 17, he is still so young yet no doubt Ngumoha is one of the most talented players of his generation, and he again showed signs of his quality when making his England debut ahead of the World Cup.
With Mohamed Salah’s exit, there is a vacancy on Liverpool’s right wing, and while Ngumoha – alongside Cody Gakpo and potential new signing Bradley Barcola – prefers to play on the left, this could be the perfect opportunity for the 17-year-old to have a proper breakthrough campaign.
Rio Ngumoha announced himself to the Premier League at the start of last season
Max Dowman, Club: Arsenal, Age: 16
Like Ngumoha, the world is well aware of Max Dowman, the youngest scorer in Premier League history.
However, despite the hype surrounding him, he rarely featured for Arsenal last season as Mikel Arteta tried to protect him.
Yet with Bukayo Saka toiling during the latter part of the season and looking like he needed a rest at the World Cup, this could be a perfect moment for Dowman, particularly if the Gunners struggle to bring in the attacking reinforcements they are searching for.
Max Dowman could benefit from more gametime if Bukayo Saka is rested by Mikel Arteta
Estevao, Club: Chelsea, Age: 19
Estevao showed glimpses of his incredible talent last season, yet he was hampered by various injuries and Enzo Maresca’s desire to ease him into his first campaign of English football.
The Brazilian announced himself with a dramatic injury-time winner against Liverpool in October, and also impressed in Chelsea’s memorable 3-0 victory over Barcelona in the Champions League the following month.
Xabi Alonso is the third Blues boss he has worked under, and the Spaniard is renowned for developing young attacking talents, meaning Estevao could go to another level in 2026-27.
Chelsea’s Brazilian wonderkid Estevao could be in for a big season under Xabi Alonso
Ayden Heaven, Club: Man United, Age: 19
It was back in February 2025 when Ayden Heaven made the bold choice to switch Arsenal for Manchester United in search of first team football.
And while Heaven has only played 24 times for his new club, the defender has shown significant promise and enjoyed a couple of lengthy runs in the team last season.
With Lisandro Martinez coming back late from the World Cup, plus injury concerns with Matthijs de Ligt, Heaven may find himself up the pecking order, particularly as United return to European football and face an increasingly hectic schedule.
Ayden Heaven could be given more opportunities amid defensive absences elsewhere
Shea Lacey, Club: Man United, Age: 19
Man United fans always love a homegrown attacking hero and Shea Lacey had been shining in their academy for several years before he made his debut against Aston Villa last December.
Lacey did suffer the ignominy of being sent off in just his third United appearance, yet he has impressed again in pre-season.
With a lack of natural wingers at Old Trafford, an issue partly caused by Ruben Amorim’s squad-building for a formation with wing-backs, Lacey should find himself part of the first-team squad.
Michael Carrick is believed to be a fan and reports broke earlier this week that he wants to keep Lacey around the squad for the first half of the campaign instead of loaning him out.
