The Premier League season is upon us, and given the busy summer of World Cup action and massively hectic transfer season, this season can offer a huge overhaul to the standings of many clubs as we welcome in a new crop of players ready to lead their teams into the new phase and generation.

As a result, we’ve gone through some of the players we are most excited for this season and put together our 10 to watch, looking at what they may have done previously, any transfer impact they may have and the potential for how they could contribute this season.

As always, we want to know your thoughts, so if you have any thoughts on the players we’ve picked in our ones to watch, or have players in your own list that we may have missed, get in touch with us on Bluesky (@NextGoalWinner), Instagram (@NextGoalWin) and our YouTube channel (@NextGoalWinner). Also don’t forget to check back with us for part 2 coming later this week.

Max Dowman – Arsenal

It seems a bit off to already have the Premier League’s youngest ever scorer on the ones to watch list, however Max Dowman could step up even further this season if he is trusted by Arteta to feature for the reigning champions as they look to secure another league title and go one further in Europe. After 6 league appearances last season, he could feature even more across all competitions as Arsenal’s squad will be stretched given the short breaks for most of their key players and long season last time round.

Dowman has already featured and scored for his side in pre-season, and his versatility and inexperience means he is yet to nail down a permanent position, but can instead then be utilised to fill gaps as and when required for the bookies favourites.

Johan Manzambi – Aston Villa

The 19 year old Swiss midfielder/forward was one of the standout performers of the World Cup for his nation, leading Aston Villa to win the race for his signature and become a focal point for a completely overhauled Villa side. Given the players leaving the club, a lot will be expected from the youngster in his debut season, but he doesn’t seem the kind of player to be fearful of this expectation.

After playing against his new side in last year’s Europa League final, Manzambi has blossomed on the World stage this summer with his ability to play a number of roles and have an almost effortless feel to the way he plays the game. Working under Emery and with the loss of Rogers and others, Manzambi could easily become the star man for Villa as they again look to secure Champions League football while fighting on 4 fronts.

Mamadou Sangare – Brentford

This one could well be the signing of the season given the money spent and the huge market inflation this summer, but Brentford have brought in a central midfielder who can do plenty that most of these £100million+ midfielders can offer, but for half the price. Sangare has been a name on the lists for most European elite sides, but none took the gamble given the 24 year old has only had 1 season at Lens where he impressed, but throughout his previous spells at Rapid Wien and Hartberg he has still been above a consistent level and can bring control and the occasional goal and assist to his game.

Luka Vuskovic – Brighton & Hove Albion

During the World Cup this transfer may have been a little overlooked, but Brighton pushed Tottenham to get this one over the line as they saw Jan Paul van Hecke going the other way, but the 19 year old centre back has a huge amount of potential as it looks like Brighton continue to add their next stars to their ranks before eventually moving on players for astronomical fees.

Vuskovic spent last season on loan at Hamburg last season where he impressed as he became the Bundesliga’s top scoring centre back, but he also offers much more as Brighton will have no questions over putting the 19 year old into the limelight to marshall their defence alongside their more experienced names.

Shea Lacey – Manchester United

Our final pick for the first 5 is a player that Manchester United fans have already seen in action last season as he was given minutes under Darren Fletcher including the FA Cup defeat against Brighton in which he was sent off for a second yellow, but Shea Lacey is potentially the next attacking talent from the Manchester United development ready to step up.

United have a handful of young stars who could make the step up to the first team this season, but Lacey looks the most likely to make an impact across the attacking line, with an ability to play off the right, through the centre or could even play the lead role in the absence of Sesko and without any new additions late in the window.

Lacey offers a huge amount of promise, with many senior players already bigging him up from their time at pre-season and training at the end of the last campaign, and despite his family links to Liverpool, United fans already have a huge amount of support behind the 19 year old who could have a breakthrough campaign.