Breakouts & wildcards – 13 surprise stars for new seasonByChris BevanBBC Sport journalistPublished10 minutes agoEli Junior Kroupi, Igor Thiago and Nico O’Reilly were among the breakout stars who made their mark on the Premier League last season – but who will be next?BBC Sport’s TV and radio commentators have picked 13 players they believe are worth watching out for over the next few months.Whether they are new signings, wonder kids or late bloomers, here are some unfamiliar faces of all ages who might make a name for themselves in the new campaign.1. Sean Steur – Newcastle UnitedAge: 18 Position: Centre-midfield Country: NetherlandsImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, In 2025, Steur was awarded the Abdelhak Nouri Trophy, Ajax’s annual award for the club’s best academy player. Previous winners include Wesley Sneijder, Rafael van der Vaart, Christian Eriksen and Ryan GravenberchSteve Bower: There has been a lot of talk this summer about Newcastle players departing, particularly in the midfield area, but here’s someone they brought in early on – before Eddie Howe left – in a deal that could be worth up to £23m.
I saw Steur play in Europe for Ajax last season, and he made 25 appearances for them in all competitions in the end. He can either play in defensive midfield or a bit further forward, is two-footed and has lovely passing ability.
Obviously it is a big step up, as we know, to come from the Dutch league into the Premier League as a teenager, and also to arrive at a club in transition with a new manager.
But Newcastle have got players like Lewis Miley – who has come through in recent seasons – that Steur can learn from being in a similar situation as well.
I liked the look of him on first viewing for Ajax and he appears as if he has got the personality to play in the Premier League.
Steur is not someone who necessarily starts initially, or all the time, but he seems pretty fearless and is the type of player who could grab the opportunity if it comes his way.
