Mason Melia

Melia does the things forwards twice his age still struggle with, holding the ball up under pressure then bursting in behind a defence without ever looking rushed. He became the youngest player and youngest goalscorer in his home league's history, then the youngest debutant and cup finalist too, breaking records that had stood since before he was born. Coaches who worked with him have praised his finishing and his willingness to press, not just what he does once the ball arrives at his feet.

The obvious tension with any forward this young is whether senior football away from a huge move's spotlight actually accelerates his development or simply delays it. Game time against experienced defenders matters more at this stage than reputation does. How quickly he adapts to the physical demands of an unfamiliar league says plenty about whether the early hype was justified.