It’s been another mediocre season for West Ham, but for fans and Manuel Pellegrini, there has been one major shining light about this campaign.

The rise of Declan Rice has been one of the stories of the Premier League season, from a bit-part player lasts season under David Moyes to becoming an irreplaceable member of the West Ham team, the now England international has been an inspiring player for those trying to break it into the English top-flight, and now the hunt is on for the next big thing.

Rice’s ascension to one of the most promising midfielders in Europe has led many to ponder who the next big youth prospect will be on the continent, but for West Ham fans, that player could be coming next season.

Joe Powell is a name non-West Ham fans won’t be familiar with, but if Pellegrini is to take another risk next season on a prospect from the youth academy, it is likely the 20-year-old number 10 will be that guy.

Currently out on loan at Northampton Town, Powell has been in sensational form for the majority of the season, scoring seven goals and assisting six in the Premier League 2 for West Ham’s U-23 team and impressing in League Two under Keith Curle, scoring twice in seven games for the club.

The attacking midfielder has built a reputation for himself as a goalscoring midfielder who likes to get creative and assist those around him, and with Pellegrini likely to revamp the West Ham squad in the summer, it won’t be a shock to see the Hammers boss introduce Powell to the first-team and give him minutes in the Premier League.

West Ham fans, can Powell break into the Hammers first-team next season? Let us know!