Football fans at every level are always on the lookout for the next young talent ready to break into the first-team from the junior ranks. And with Premier League clubs increasingly looking to develop and polish their own talent than rely on expensive transfers, the likelihood of seeing more and more youngster blooded in England is only gong to increase.
This month alone, coronavirus outbreaks at a number of clubs has forced managers to turn to young players to plug gaps and even make a name for themselves. That was indeed the case when Aston Villa sent out an academy team to face Liverpool in the FA Cup third round.
Here's a look at the top Under-23 talent at every Premier League club...
Arsenal – Folarin Balogun
Arsenal hope that Folarin Balogun becomes the next home-grown player to make the permanent step up to the first-team, but only if they can agree a new contract with him.
The 19-year-old striker is out of contract at the end of the season and manager Mikel Arteta has said the club wants to keep him and the player wants to stay. The problem, however, appears to stem from negotiations with an agent.
Aston Villa – Louie Barry
Louie Barry is the most promising youngster Aston Villa have on their hands, having marked his senior debut with a goal against Liverpool in the FA Cup.
Born in nearby Sutton Coalfield, Barry has been a lifelong Villa fan. But he actually started his football career in the academy ranks at midlands rivals West Brom, before spending half of the 2019/20 season at Barcelona’s famed La Masia.
Brighton – Max Sanders
Brighton have sent a handful of promising youngsters on loan this season, including Taylor Richards who cost an estimated £2.5m from Manchester City. Yet Max Sanders has stayed with the Seagulls and has been reaping the rewards.
A central midfielder, Sanders has been splitting his time between the Under-23 squad and the first-team and played in three rounds of the Carabao Cup in the autumn.