NXGN 2023: 50 สุดยอดดาวรุ่งในวงการฟุตบอล

Premier League supporters have seen Hall emerge as an energetic left-back over the past few months at Chelsea, but it is actually in central midfield where the 18-year-old is most comfortable.

That versatility is perhaps Hall’s greatest asset, meaning he has been able to play with confidence that belies his years in a variety of roles when given opportunities by both Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter.

There have been some concerns that the Blues’ lavish spending could lead to the pathway from academy to firstteam at Stamford Bridge being blocked, but Hall has shown he is good enough to become a regular contributor over the next few years at least.

Not since Matthijs de Ligt was coming through the ranks at Ajax has there been this much excitement around a homegrown defender, but Hato is showing that he has the talent to one day generate the same transfer fees as Bayern Munich’s €67m summer signing.

Despite only having turned 17 in March, Hato has already captained Ajax’s U19s this season, and is a regular in the Dutch champions’ matchday squad after becoming the third-youngest player to ever make their first-team debut for the club.

Extremely comfortable in possession for a central defender, Hato can also play at left-back, and it should not be long before he becomes the next academy talent to make Ajax millions when Europe’s richest clubs come knocking.

City Football Group, the network of clubs run by Manchester City’s owners, are always on the lookout for young talents, with their focus having been on South America in recent years.

Savio became the latest Brazilian to join in the summer of 2022, as French side Troyes paid an initial €6.5m to sign the winger from Atletico Mineiro before he was sent on loan to PSV to begin his integration into European football.

Previously compared to Antony and Arjen Robben, the 18-year-old has had a taste of first-team football in Eindhoven, though injuries have disrupted his campaign in the Netherlands.