Chuba Akpom: The Anglo-Nigerian has been made to wait for his first-team opportunity at Arsenal since joining the club as a youngster 14 years ago. After four loan spells—without setting the world alight—Akpom has impressed in preseason and, with the Gunners yet to sign another striker, looks set to get his opportunity in Arsene Wenger’s side. Could he be the North London heavyweights’ next breakout star?


Nabil Bentaleb: Unlike the majority of the players on this list, Bentaleb isn’t coming off the back of a fine season, and indeed, has much to do to prove that he still has a future at Tottenham Hotspur. He’s been linked with a move to Juventus as a potential replacement for Paul Pogba—a sign of the reputation he still enjoys across the continent—although it remains to be seen whether Mauricio Pochettino will attempt to rehabilitate the Algeria international.


Kelechi Iheanacho: Little was expected of the forward ahead of the 2015-16 season, although Iheanacho was one of the few bright lights in a disappointing campaign for Manchester City as he scored eight Premier League goals and usurped Wilfried Bony as first-choice backup to Sergio Aguero. The Nigeria international is one of the few City players not linked with the exit door this summer, and the prospect of him improving under Pep Guardiola is particularly exciting!


Daniel Amartey: Amartey only played a minor role in Leicester City’s title-winning campaign after moving from FC Kobenhavn, but he demonstrated—in glimpses—how his physicality and mobility could make him a key man for the Foxes. With Champions League football on the horizon, and with Claudio Ranieri surely set to rotate his squad more than last term, expect the Ghana international to play a much more prominent role this term.


Tosin Adarabioyo: Another young Nigerian who should benefit from a linkup with Guardiola is Tosin Adarabioyo, who has already been praised by the new Spanish coach. The signing of John Stones places an ominous obstacle in the teenager’s path—and he may yet go out on loan—but with Vincent Kompany’s fitness still in doubt, with Martin Demichelis gone and Eliaquim Mangala seemingly set to follow, expect to see glimpses of this precocious talent.


Timothy Fosu-Mensah: The Netherlands youth international was one of a clutch of young talents who broke into the Manchester United first team during Louis van Gaal’s troubled reign and coped admirably with the pressures of life at the Red Devils during a testing season. He impressed against Tottenham Hotspur—infamously being replaced just before United’s collapse—and, still only 18, Fosu-Mensah can develop into an exceptional defensive talent. There’s still a chance he could represent Ghana at senior level, which would be a major boost for the Black Stars.


Alex Iwobi: Iwobi came into his come during the second half of Arsenal’s season, helping give the Gunners new impetus as they overtook rivals Tottenham Hotspur into second place. He impressed against Barcelona in the Champions League and then found the net against Everton and Watford to prove that he wasn’t overawed by the level of competition. His progress will be watched closely this term.


Ramadan Sobhi: Egyptian players have a long history of mediocrity and abject failure, with only a few exceptions. Stoke City’s Sobhi may just be able to buck the trend. The 19-year-old will have to take an almighty leap to adapt to life in the Premier League after moving straight from Egyptian giants Al-Ahly, but he has the skill to do it and should fit in nicely alongside dribbling wizards such as Xherdan Shaqiri and Marko Arnautovic…just don’t expect fireworks immediately!


Isaac Success: Watford’s record signing arrives in the Premier League after an encouraging campaign in Spain, although Hornets fans will surely hope for more than the six goals and two assists Success managed at Granada last season. If he can overcome the price tag and tidy up a few rough edges, then the prospect of the 20-year-old working in tandem with the intelligent Troy Deeney and the direct Odion Ighalo in Walter Mazzarri’s counterattacking setup is tantalising!


Sheyi Ojo: Jordon Ibe may have been moved on from Liverpool, but Nigerian fans still have one of their talented young compatriots to get excited about at Anfield. 19-year-old Ojo may indeed be a reason why Jurgen Klopp was willing to cash in on the sprightly Ibe, having encouraged in his eight Premier League appearances last term. Ojo’s game is more varied than that of Ibe and he often appears more decisive than his departed team mate.