Nothing excites fans more than an academy player entering the scene.
The modern philosophy of most Premier League clubs is to develop players to a level where they can be sold profitably. So when young people get a chance to really make an impact at the top level, the excitement is palpable.
Unfortunately, this is a rarer phenomenon than it used to be. Premier League clubs are more willing to spend big on expensive new signings than give their stars time to develop.
It is therefore an attractive proposition for Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal all to believe that they have a future world power in their ranks at the same time. Liverpool supporters are already aware of the talent that 17-year-old Rio Ngmoja possesses, and he is making an impact on Arne Slott’s side.
There has been a lot of buzz surrounding Arsenal’s Max Dauman, 16, who has also stepped into senior football for some time now. United are still waiting for their wonder kid JJ Gabriel to make his first-team debut, but expectations are real for the 15-year-old.
read more: Arsenal and Man City share ‘Europe-wide’ predictions for Premier League title battleread more: Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp could make sensational return after quitting Red Bull
Mirror Football takes a look at the trio who could dominate the Premier League and internationally with England for generations to come…
Max Dauman
In the world of soccer, there is always talk of once-in-a-generation talent. Everyone in the youth football world has been talking about Jude Bellingham for years. Jack Wilshire was one of them.
Max Dauman has been around for a while, long before the precocious midfield talent made his senior debut at Arsenal. At 16, Dowman is head and shoulders above any young player of his age in English football.
All you have to do is talk to scouts, youth coaches and agents to understand that. Dauman has already broken the record at Arsenal, becoming the youngest player in the club’s history to start against Brighton in this season’s Carabao Cup, aged 15 years and 302 days.
he’s a special player. He glides down the field, dribbles with ease and is years ahead of his contemporaries in terms of game intelligence. No wonder Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has put him in the same slot as Lionel Messi. But he’s not a winger. He’s No8 or No10. he can be in control.
Why haven’t we seen more of him? Well, he’s been injured for a while now. If he gets kicked, his business will be in jeopardy. He did very well in the friendly against Manchester United, scoring and assisting, so that was the only way to stop him.
This kid is a kid who overwhelms top team players in practice. Arteta wanted him in his squad last season. He often appears at the practice range wearing his school uniform. He has great people around him, from the scout who discovered him to his wonderfully down-to-earth parents.
This World Cup will come too soon for him. However, Euro 2028 could easily be within range. This season is coming to an end. Let’s get ready. It’s Dauman’s era.
john cross
JJ Gabriel
Manchester United are used to having superstars in their ranks.
However, there is genuine excitement among club executives that United have hit the jackpot when it comes to JJ Gabriel, given the lack of talent that has emerged recently.
The teenager, who doesn’t turn 16 until October, has been training with the first-team squad for several months and hasn’t hit his stride. In fact, coaches including Steve Holland have been impressed with how he has adapted to the step up.
Some consider him a future Ballon d’Or winner. His first-team debut should follow one of next season’s domestic cup competitions.
JJ Gabriel has achieved great results for Manchester U-18s (Image: Getty)
The forward received high praise following his recent performances in the FA Youth Cup win at Oxford. He controls the game from start to finish and is said to be mature beyond his years.
He has represented England at Under-16 level, but some at St George’s Park believe he will outgrow that squad and step up into several age groups.
Meanwhile, United are taking steps to give Gabriel the best possible environment to continue his development while preparing for how life will change once he begins his first-team career.
It is expected that several big clubs will come to invite him. But Gabriel isn’t going anywhere. His first professional contract is already in the works.
Jeremy Cross
Rio Ngmoja
How easy will a truce be between Arne Slott and Mohamed Salah? We’ll soon find out. That’s because calls for 17-year-old Rio Ngmoha to start ahead of one of Liverpool’s all-time great players are growing louder and louder every day.
While that memorable early-season match win at St James’ Park didn’t push him to prominence as much as many expected, his cameo at Nottingham Forest reminded Liverpool fans of the incredible talent Slot has at his disposal.
To be honest, Ngmoha’s talent has been an open secret since he was in his early teens and Chelsea were furious when he was lured to Anfield.
He is widely recognized as a generational talent. It may be the innocence of youth, but Gumoha is outspoken and fearless. His first thought was to challenge his opponent instead of taking a safety-first pass.
Rio Ngmoha made an instant impact against Newcastle United earlier this season (Image: George Wood, Getty Images)
“Ngmoha did more in 15 minutes than Salah or (Cody) Gakpo did before that,” Jamie Carragher said after the youngster’s appearance in the win over Nottingham Forest.
At the practice range, Ngmoha is reported to be flying and becoming physically stronger with each practice. Reports from Liverpool headquarters also suggest that his impressive finish at Newcastle was typical of his work in the penalty box.
Ngmoha is yet to feature for England Under-21s, but there is no doubt that Thomas Tuchel is well aware of his game-changing potential. It is highly unlikely that he will be selected as a World Cup wildcard, but it would not be surprising if he is a big part of Tuchel’s Euro 2028 plans.
And during that time, he’ll probably have Mo watching over his shoulder.
Andy Dunn
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive Mirror Football content every day. Community members also receive special offers, promotions, and advertisements from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check it out whenever you like. If you are interested, please read our privacy notice.
Sky Sports Premier League and EFL package discounts
£49
£35
sky
Get the deal here
Sky has reduced the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle for the 2025/26 season, saving you £336 and offering over 1,400 live matches from Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky broadcasts at least 215 live Premier League matches each season, increasing to up to 100, as well as Formula 1, Darts, Golf and more.
