Who will be following in the Chelsea attacker's footsteps by making a name for themselves over the coming months?
One year ago, Cole Palmer was preparing for his first season at Chelsea, having just completed a £40 million ($51m) move from Manchester City. He'd previously shown flashes of promise during his time at the Etihad Stadium without cementing himself as a starter, and few expected him to pull up many trees at Stamford Bridge.
Flash-forward to the present and Palmer has scored in a European Championship final, won the Premier League Young Player of the Season award and firmly established himself as one of the best attacking midfielders on the planet. His story just goes to show that even in a world when every action on and off the field is hyper-analysed, football still has the ability to throw up surprise packages. But who's next?
The very nature of 'breakout stars' means the next big thing can be difficult to predict. However, there is a crop of Premier League players who are threatening to take inspiration from Palmer by coming out of nowhere to rise to the highest echelons of the game this season…
Getty ImagesAmad Diallo (Manchester United)
Amad's true breakthrough season has been a long-time coming, but all the signs point to him being a properly important player for Manchester United over the coming months. In the Community Shield, Amad was responsible for United's most threatening attacks, impressing with his ability to carry the ball through traffic.
Of course, he's had his moments in a red shirt, the best of which was that last-minute FA Cup winner against Liverpool last season. However, injuries and a lack of trust from Erik ten Hag has hampered his prospects.
That could be about to change heading into the new campaign, though, with Ten Hag recently saying that "this has to be the year" that Amad breaks into the first team. Right wing has long been a bit of a problem area for the Red Devils, but the Ivorian's form in pre-season suggests he's finally ready to ascend to his rightful place among the Premier League elite.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesToby Collyer (Manchester United)
Amad is not the only United player looking to make their breakthrough, either. Collyer will have watched on enviously as former youth team-mate Kobbie Mainoo exploded onto the scene last season and now the Worthing-born midfielder will be hoping to follow suit.
Pre-season was an exciting time for Collyer. He featured regularly and was even handed the captain's armband against Rosenberg. A cameo in the Community Shield was well deserved, with Ten Hag clearly taken by the 20-year-old.
"I always want to make pathways for young players, but they have to earn it," Ten Hag said after a pre-season win over Rangers. “Collyer has now earned an opportunity… We will see how we can progress. Last year with Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo, we saw that can happen. The pathway is open and Toby is there too."
United are hardly blessed with options in the middle of the park and with Ten Hag open to handing young players their chance, the hard-working and tidy in possession Collyer could be primed for a massive campaign.
Getty ImagesTim Iroegbunam (Everton)
Iroegbunam's £9m ($11.5m) move from Aston Villa to Everton in June certainly made headlines, though not entirely for the right reasons. Part of a smattering of transfer activity involving the two clubs, as well as Chelsea, there were suggestions that the England youth international was being used as a pawn as the sides attempted to find a loophole in the Premier League Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
These accusations have been defiantly rejected by the Toffees, who insist they've been after Iroegbunam for some time. And, it may just prove to be an inspired signing. He might not be the finished article just yet, but under Sean Dyche's guidance he should be able to help fill the void left by Amadou Onana's summer departure to Villa.
Iroegbunam can play as a No.6 or No.8, drives forward with aplomb and does the basics both in and out of possession effectively. Don't be surprised if he makes the Toffees forget about Onana as the season progresses.
Getty ImagesMorgan Rogers (Aston Villa)
Rogers' arrival at Villa Park from Middlesbrough in February 2024 wasn't greeted with much enthusiasm. He may have only cost £8m ($10m), but his Championship goal record was hardly standout, so there were big questions over whether he'd cut the mustard in the top flight.
Yet, by the end of last season, he was a fully-fledged starter for Unai Emery's side, finishing the campaign with a run of four goal involvements in his final six matches. After making a strong introduction, Rogers is now expected to take the next step.
His stock has been rising throughout pre-season and his ability to slot in anywhere across the front line means he'll surely be handed plenty of minutes over the coming months. If he can make the most of the opportunities – which will include Champions League action, don't forget – he might be added to the long list of attacking players pushing for an England call-up.