20 reasons to cheer up Fabio Capello at the start of the season

Arsenal

Jack Wilshere (16). Theo Walcott is only 19, but this 16-year-old has been given a first-team squad number and has played in pre-season against Real Madrid and Juventus. Wenger has already tried to calm the hype.

Aston Villa

Harry Forrester (17). Was with Watford but Villa offered three-year contract last summer for a natural goalscoring midfielder. Prominent in Youth Cup and for England at his age level.

Blackburn Rovers

Michael Hall (17). Rangy midfielder with good passing ability, has captained Rovers' Under-18s and played for the club's reserves.

Bolton Wanderers

Temitope Obadeyi (17). From Birmingham, the teenage attacker has already featured in Bolton's reserves, and scored for them. John Sheridan's son, Sam, is also highly rated.

Chelsea

Josh McEachran (15). Left-sided midfielder with lots of pace and skill. Small physically but expected to grow into a force. Capped at under-age level. At 14, Billy Knott is another to watch for.

Everton

Jose Baxter (16). Attacking midfielder inevitably compared to Wayne Rooney. Not as advanced physically as Rooney but causing almost as much excitement locally. Scored against Forest in pre-season.

Fulham

Keanu Marsh-Brown (16). This tall right-back was originally in Arsenal's academy but is now with Fulham and England's Under-16s.

Hull City

Nicky Featherstone (19). Link-up striker who has been on the fringes of the first team. Came off bench in the League Cup. Can also play in midfield.

Liverpool

Nathan Eccleston (17). Striker from Manchester who has already played for the reserves where he scored on his debut.

Manchester City

Daniel Sturridge (18). Has six first-team appearances already, and two goals. Has excited observers with his pace and power since his early teens.

Manchester United

Danny Welbeck (17). Fraizer Campbell, 20, has shown his ability at Hull, and Welbeck is another striking prospect at United. Manchester-born Welbeck's languid style has seen him likened to Kanu by Sir Alex Ferguson.

Middlesbrough

Seb Hines (20). Just 20, Hines is a centre-half who made his first-team debut at left-back – and scored. His second, of five appearances, was at right-back. From a renowned Academy.

Newcastle United

Ben Tozer (18). Centre-half signed from Swindon shortly before Dennis Wise became head of recruitment. Plymouth-born and started at local club.

Portsmouth

James Hurst (16). Right-back whose departure from West Bromwich in May sparked a scramble. With Paul Hart in charge of an expanding Academy, Portsmouth won.

Stoke City

Tom Thorley (18). Stafford-born energetic midfielder who is on the fringe of Tony Pulis' first-team squad. May be loaned to lower-league club this season for experience.

Sunderland

Martyn Waghorn (18). Muscular, Beardsley-esque striker thrown in against Manchester United last December. Star of a good youth team.

Tottenham Hotspur

John Bostock (16). Midfielder who caused row between Crystal Palace and Spurs over compensation this summer. Highly rated.

West Bromwich Albion

Ryan Allsop (16). Not far past his 16th birthday Allsop is already England's Under-17 goalkeeper and considered a member of England's elite in his age group.

West Ham United

Freddy Sears (18). Striker who scored five minutes into his senior debut against Blackburn in March. Prolific at reserve and youth team levels.

Wigan Athletic

Matty Hampson (18). Winger who can score goals, one of seven in the club's youth team of last season to be offered pro contracts recently.