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So, in no particular order or indeed ranking, let's dive right in...

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The Gunners wouldn't even be able to slow the hype train surrounding their next Hale End gem, described by Declan Rice as “the best 15-year-old in the country”.

Dowman made his debut for the Arsenal Under-18s at just 13 years old, and has scored 20 goals for the side alongside ten assists.

The teenager netted 15 times in as many appearances in the U18 Premier League last season and later trained with the first team.

Dowman, who was drafted into first-team training at age 14, made his senior debut during a pre-season win against AC Milan last month.

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Marinos with a goalCredit: AFP

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He made Liverpool history at Anfield against League Two side Accrington Stanley

Sticking with the Premier League champions for their second and final entry on this list is Ngumoha's academy teammate.

Like the latter, Nyoni arrived at Anfield from an English rival, having played for Leicester City's U18s at the tender age of 15.

Since his arrival in 2023, the midfielder has been banging on the door to become an established member of Liverpool's senior squad.

Nyoni briefly held Liverpool's record of the youngest player to appear in the FA Cup when he featured against Southampton in February 2024 under Jurgen Klopp, before he was usurped by Ngumoha.

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Nyoni has been patiently waiting for his chance to play regular first-team footballCredit: Getty

He impressed in Slot's first pre-season last summer, but made just five senior outings, with two starts in domestic cup competitions.

Nyoni remains Liverpool’s youngest-ever player in European competition, following his substitute appearance against PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League in January.

The 18-year-old is yet to make his Premier League debut, but having signed a new long-term contract in June, it surely won't be long.

On both Nyoni and Ngumoha, Liverpool veteran Andy Robertson told The Anfield Wrap.

I’m proud of him and so happy for him, and I know there’ll be many more to come.”

Fearon’s first senior appearance for West Ham continued his memorable year, having now recovered from a back injury that ruled him out for much of the 2023/24 season.

He captained the U18s to the Premier League Cup title in April, before winning the prestigious Dylan Tombides award, which recognises the club's Academy of Football’s outstanding scholar, a month later.

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Fearon, who only signed his first pro contract late last year, caught the eye in pre-seasonCredit: Getty

Blues captain Reece James admitted he was surprised by how good the 16-year-old was following his full debut in May.

Walsh played all 90 minutes of Chelsea's 1-0 win over Djurgardens in the Conference League, a week after his senior bow in the first leg.

In doing so, the midfielder became Chelsea's youngest ever starter in a European competition at the age of 16 years and 200 days.

“I've seen him in training lots,” James told TNT Sports.

I didn't realise how good he actually was.”

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has been in no doubt over Walsh's talent, though, claiming the academy graduate is 'perfect' for his system.

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Walsh became a history-maker for Chelsea last seasonCredit: Getty

The Blues academy graduate may have ceded the record for the club's youngest starter in Europe to Reggie Walsh, but he remains well in the hunt to establish himself as the next Cobham starlet to properly break into the first team.

Indeed, that's exactly what Josh Acheampong has predicted for Mheuka, who was also tipped as a potential FC Future Star by Romeo Lavia, and is a 'top talent', according to Tosin Adarabioyo.

Chelsea have handed Brighton £257m on 14 players and staff members since Todd Boehly took over as co-owner and chairman.

Mheuka may prove the best value for money, having left the Seagulls, whom he'd joined from age nine, to move to Stamford Bridge for a tribunal £1m fee, rising to £4.25m, in July 2022.

The forward made his senior debut for Chelsea as a substitute in November during their UEFA Conference League win at FC Astana.

The 17-year-old made his Premier League debut against Southampton in February, and briefly became Chelsea’s youngest-ever starter in major European competition a month later.

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Mheuka has continued to excel at Chelsea since joining from BrightonCredit: Getty

Mheuka, who was named as Chelsea’s Scholar of the Year last season, has fierce competition among Enzo Maresca's ever-changing attack.

But, with Nicolas Jackson linked with an exit, and no guarantees either of Liam Delap or Joao Pedro will thrive in their first full seasons at Chelsea, fans can expect to see Mheuka given more of a look.

Former Chelsea midfielder Steve Sidwell has no doubt the youngster will reach the top, telling TNT last season: "I coached Shimmy when he was at Brighton.

"I was doing the Under-16s and he was a 14-year-old then and demanding about how he should be playing, starting, for the Under-16s, which goes to show the confidence the young man has in joining in.

"He's got good footballing IQ, he's a good size, and he's destined for big things.

Hopefully, a goal to come with it."

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Mheuka already has first-team minutes in the bankCredit: Getty

The Seagulls may have lost Mheuka, but another 17-year-old prospect is still breaking records on the south coast.

Howell became Brighton's youngest-ever Premier League player in a 3-2 win over English champions Liverpool in May.

Even more special for the midfielder was the opportunity to play alongside his cousin, Jack Hinshelwood, who later scored the winner.

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler dubbed the teenager a 'special' player, after his record-breaking night, having trusted him to come on at 2-2.

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Howell (right) was almost standing next to Hinshelwood when his cousin scoredCredit: AFP via Getty Images

Hurzeler said: "Harry did an incredible job, he put in a really good performance against Liverpool.

"Now he has to be humble, stay grounded, keep working hard, and then I'm sure that he can be a role model for all the other young players in the academy, to show that if you work hard, you have a chance to be a first-team player."

Howell will undoubtedly have his feet kept on the ground by his dad, Jamie, a 1994 FA Youth Cup winner with Arsenal.

The latter had been permitted by Bognor Regis Town — where he is the current co-manager — to miss their 2-1 win to Cray Wanderers in the Isthmian League Premier Division (the seventh tier of English football) to watch his then-15-year-old son put Brighton Under-21s into the Football League Trophy quarter-finals in January 2024.

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Howell is Brighton's youngest-ever Premier League playerCredit: Getty

The 17-year-old is maintaining a running theme, having become Wolves' youngest Premier League player, fittingly, against Brighton.

Mane, a Portugal-born forward who has represented England at youth level, has since been rewarded with his first professional contract in gold and black.

It represents a remarkable rise to the top, having only arrived at the club in February 2024 from National League Rochdale’s academy.

Wolves head coach Vitor Pereira then took notice of Mane's seven goals and four assists in 15 league outings for the Under-18s.

“He’s a talented player,” Pereira said.

“I believe he has a big future at our club, and I hope to give him the opportunity to play very soon.”

After his debut Premier League appearance against Brighton in May, the Wolves boss confirmed Mane will be part of his first-team squad.

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The England U18 starlet spent the first nine years of his life in PortugalCredit: Getty

The midfielder was the youngest of the eight nominees for the Premier League 2 Player of the Season last season.

The 19-year-old, who was also named the Eagles' Under-21 player of the season, is already capped at senior international level.

Mustapha even has a goal to his name in his three appearances for Sierra Leone, and originally, was a shoo-in for inclusion on this list.

However, he was ruled out for six weeks with a knee injury in July, which curtailed hopes of impressing Oliver Glasner in pre-season.

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Only Man City striker Divin Mubama had more goal involvements in PL2 2024/25 than Palace midfielder MustaphaCredit: Getty

As a result, Mustapha wasn't part of the group that travelled to Austria for a training camp and will also miss the Community Shield.

Mustapha, who is yet to play an official first-team game, will be itching to recover as soon as possible to continue where he left off.

PlayerGoalsAssistsG+ADivin Mubama17320Hindolo Mustapha10717Khayon Edwards12416Nathan Butler-Oyedeji10616Donnell McNeilly13215Ademola Ola-Adebomi12315Most goal involvements in PL2 2024/25
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