The Arsenal, Man Utd and Liverpool wonderkids set to lead England’s next generation

Nothing gets fans excited like a player from the academy bursting onto the scene.

The modern-day philosophy at most Premier League clubs is that players are developed to a level where they can be sold and profit can be made. And so when a youngster has a chance of truly making an impact at the top level, the excitement is palpable.

It is, unfortunately, a rarer phenomenon than in the past. Premier League clubs are more willing to splash the cash on expensive new signings than give their own the time to develop into stars.

And so for Manchester United , Liverpool and Arsenal to all believe they have future world beaters in their ranks at the same time is a tantalising proposition. Liverpool supporters have already seen the talent that 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha possesses, making an impact for Arne Slot's side.

The noise around Max Dowman, 16, at Arsenal has also been growing for a while and he too has dipped his toes into senior football. United are still waiting for their own wonderkid, JJ Gabriel to make his first-team debut, but the hype is real around the 15-year-old.

Mirror Football takes a look at a trio that could dominate the Premier League - and internationally with England - for a generation to come...

There is always a buzz in football about one-in-a-generation talents. Everybody in youth football was talking about Jude Bellingham for years. Jack Wilshere was another one.

It has been Max Dowman for some time, well before the precocious midfield talent made his senior debut for Arsenal. Dowman, 16, is head and shoulders above every other young talent in English football in his age group.

You only need to speak to scouts, youth coaches or agents to understand that. Dowman has already broken records at Arsenal, becoming the club’s youngest-ever starter aged 15 years and 302 days against Brighton in the Carabao Cup this season.

He is a special player. He glides across the pitch, dribbles with ease and is years ahead of his age group in terms of game intelligence. No wonder Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has put him in the same bracket as Lionel Messi . But he is no winger. He is a No8 or No10. He can dominate.

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Why have we not seen more of him? Well, he’s been injured for the past while. Getting kicked is going to be a hazard of his business. He was so good in a friendly against Manchester United - scored and assisted - that it was the only way to stop him.

This is the kid who blows first team players away in training. Arteta wanted to put him in the squad last season. He often turns up at the training ground in school uniform. He has a great set of people around him from the scout who discovered him to brilliantly grounded parents.

This World Cup is going to be too soon for him. But Euro 2028 will easily be within range. So will the end of this season. Get ready. It is Dowman’s time.

John Cross

Manchester United are no strangers to bringing superstars through their ranks.

But given the lack of talent to have emerged in recent times, there is genuine excitement among senior club figures that United have hit the jackpot when it comes to JJ Gabriel.

The teenager doesn't turn 16 until October, but has been training with the first team squad for several months and has not been out of his depth. In fact, coaches including Steve Holland have been impressed with how he has adapted to the step up.

Some people even consider him to be a future Ballon d'Or winner. His first team debut should follow next season in one of the domestic cup competitions.

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The forward earned rave reviews following his recent performance in an FA Youth Cup win at Oxford. He controlled the game from start to finish, and is said to be mature beyond his years.

He has represented England at U16 level, but some figures at St George's Park believe he will outgrow that team, and will be made to step up a couple of age groups.

In the meantime, United are putting measures in place to make sure Gabriel is given the best environment possible to continue his progress, while preparing him for how life will change once he starts his first team career.

Some of the biggest clubs are expected to come calling. But Gabriel will be going nowhere. His first professional deal is already in the pipeline.

Jeremy Cross

Just how easy is the truce between Arne Slot and Mohamed Salah ? We are about to find out. Because the clamour for 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha to start ahead of one of Liverpool’s greatest-ever players is getting louder by the day.

His memorable early-season match-winner at St James’ Park has not kick-started his emergence in the way most people thought it would, but his cameo at Nottingham Forest has reminded Liverpool fans of the prodigious talent at Slot’s disposal.

Let’s face it, Ngumoha’s brilliance has been an open secret since he was in his early teens and Chelsea were furious when he was tempted to Anfield.

He has been widely acknowledged as a generational talent. It might be the innocence of youth but Ngumoha is direct and fearless. His first thought is to take on an opponent rather than opt for a safety-first pass.

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“Ngumoha did more in 15 minutes than Salah and (Cody) Gakpo did before that,” said Jamie Carragher after the youngster’s appearance in the win at Nottingham Forest.

On the training ground, Ngumoha is reported to be flying and getting physically stronger with each session. Reports from Liverpool headquarters also suggest the accomplished finish at Newcastle is typical of his penalty box work.

Ngumoha has yet to feature for the England under-21 team but, make no mistake, Thomas Tuchel is well aware of his game-changing potential. The chances of him being a World Cup wildcard are extremely remote but it would not be surprising if he is very much part of Tuchel’s Euro 2028 plans.

And in the meantime, he will surely have Mo looking over his shoulder.

Andy Dunn

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