Mohamadou Kanté

Kanté came up through the academy rather than arriving with a transfer fee attached, and he plays with a directness that suggests he is not overwhelmed by first team football. He is happy driving with the ball into wide areas and picking out a pass at the byline instead of just crossing blindly, and that willingness to take responsibility already stands out. He puts in the defensive work too, winning the ball back and competing in midfield duels rather than being trusted only going forward.

The obvious question with any young player is whether the early promise survives regular first team football, because the level only gets harder from here. West Ham have shown real faith by tying him to a long contract rather than treating him as squad filler. Watch how much responsibility he gets handed once the more experienced midfielders around him are all fit again.