Jun 16, 2023, 06:00 AM ET
The 2022-23 Premier League season is over, but before you know it another one will be on the horizon as it begins again on Aug. 11.
After the fixtures for the new campaign were released on Thursday, clubs will be looking to use their summer tours to prepare. And that will include some teenage players you may not be aware of. Here is a selection of those to watch from the big clubs in England.
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ARSENAL Amario Cozier-Duberry , 18, winger
On the back of an encouraging season at academy level, with five goals and four assists from 22 games, the right winger could be the next Hale End graduate in line for a place in the Arsenal first team next season.
At Premier League 2 level, Cozier-Duberry has featured in a similar role to the one Bukayo Saka fills in the first team and there’s evidence that the 18-year-old has picked up a thing or two from the England international.
As well as his penchant for a curled, back-post finish with his left foot there’s also his neat ball control, crossfield switch passes and clever movement that sees him receive the ball in space behind the opposing full-back. Cozier-Duberry doesn’t shun his defensive work either.
CHELSEA Cesare Casadei , 20, central midfielder
LIVERPOOL Ben Doak , 17, winger
PREMIER LEAGUE OPENING WEEKEND Aug. 11 Burnley v Man City Aug. 12 Bournemouth v West Ham Aug. 12 Arsenal v Forest Aug. 12 Brighton v Luton Aug. 12 Everton v Fulham Aug. 12 Newcastle v Villa Aug. 12 Sheff United v Palace Aug. 13 Brentford v Tottenham Aug. 13 Chelsea v Liverpool Aug. 14 Man United v Wolves
With several Liverpool attackers ruled out of the first week of the club’s preseason campaign due to international commitments, Doak pulled out of the Scotland U21 side in order to give himself a chance to add to the 60 first-team minutes across five games that manager Jurgen Klopp gave him in the FA Cup, Carabao Cup and Premier League last season.
In those brief cameos Doak — who made his league debut for Celtic at 15 — displayed a fearless attitude, which is rare for a teenager, along with a talent for receiving and carrying the ball at high speed, instinctive dribbling capabilities and a low centre of gravity.
The winger loves to take on defenders from the right flank, but it is hard to establish which foot is stronger as he carries the ball exceptionally well with either. His ambidexterity naturally makes him hard to read and allows him multiple options as he advances forward.
MANCHESTER CITY Oscar Bobb , 19, attacking midfielder/forward
Arguably the pick of the Manchester City side that clinched the Premier League 2 title — Carlos Borges (who sources told ESPN has been linked with Nottingham Forest) and Adedire Mebude also deserve mentions — the Norway U21 international stands out for his extraordinary technical abilities and advanced football brain, which helped him net six goals and 16 assists in the league.
Cutting in from the right side of attack, or tucked in behind the striker, Bobb’s smooth first touch and remarkable command of his body allow him to deceive opponents with a jink. Despite being a flair player who averages three successful take-ons per 90 minutes, he also knows when to release the ball and his ability to pick the right pass in behind the defence is a strength.
While he has an overreliance on his left foot which might need to be balanced out, City manage Pep Guardiola faces an interesting to decision whether to integrate the 19-year-old into the first team or let him continue his development elsewhere on loan.
MANCHESTER UNITED Kobbie Mainoo , 18, central midfielder
TOTTENHAM Alfie Devine , 20, central midfielder
One of the most influential members of the England team that won the U19 European Championship in 2022, the midfielder still only had one FA Cup minute at first-team level for his club last season.
Back in January 2021, in an FA Cup tie at non-league side Marine, he became Tottenham’s youngest player and then goal scorer, aged 16 years and 163 days, under Jose Mourinho. And though he earned accolades from manager Antonio Conte last year , he never kicked on. This summer, however, with Ange Postecoglou running his fresh eyes over the Spurs squad, Devine might fancy his chances.
At youth level, Devine has proven to be a modern, multi-faceted, box-to-box midfielder who could have a bright future. He receives, keeps and passes the ball well with purpose and directness, is always active as a passing option, presses eagerly and works hard defensively. But his No. 1 quality might be his knack of making incisive runs into the box.
While a loan remains a possibility next season, it’s equally reasonable that Postecoglou may see enough in the midfielder to give him a chance.
