With the new Premier League season drawing ever closer, which youngsters are most likely to make the step up from Gary Issott’s development squad into the first team?
The pre-season has gone well for Palace, with some of the young players getting game time but also making some encouraging performances. 15-year-old England youth international right-back Mandela Egbo impressed against Hampton & Richmond earlier in the week, with two assists in the half an hour he played.
The following day he was given a brief run-out against Dulwich for the first-team, showing his progress over the past year. Although still too young to trouble Joel Ward for his place, it has been a promising summer for Egbo.
It is perhaps on the opposite side of the defensive line where there is most likely to be a debut. Jerome Williams, recently called up to England U18s not only put in a good performance at Dulwich’s Champion Hill ground, but capped it with a superb solo goal.
The strong, well-built left-back is excellent going forward and has great aerial prowess, but his defending can sometimes suffer as a consequence of his eagerness to attack. However, with both Jonathan Parr and Dean Moxey out of form last season the youngster could find himself in with a shout of making his Palace debut this season.
Of course, there is one player who has been talked about for a couple of years now. Murmurings of his potential reached the message boards, but also the scouts of other Premier League clubs.
Reise Allassani, a 17-year-old right-winger who can also operate just behind the striker, was the subject of a bid from Everton last season but opted to sign a professional contract with Palace instead.
Tricky and composed with the ball at his feet, the Wandsworth born England youth international may be used from the bench at some point during the course of the season.
Finally, it is fellow 17-year-old Hiram Boateng who could find himself facing the likes of Michael Carrick, Marouane Fellaini and other Premier League stars this season.
Having made his debut just after his 17th birthday, Boateng will look to impress boss Ian Holloway in the development squad in the hope that he can fill in alongside Mile Jedinak as a defensive central midfielder.
Built like a tank, the midfielder has consistently performed to a high level and rarely lets anyone get the better of him in the tackle, whilst he also has good vision and excellent passing skills.
Follow Matt Woosnam on Twitter: @MattWoosie
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