Kobbie Mainoo has shone in Manchester United's midfield (Image: Getty)
The January transfer window was very quiet for Premier League clubs due to the constraints of Financial Fair Play and the Profit and Sustainability Rules. Summer spending sprees are firmly on the cards instead, with managers content with trusting those already within the club to plug holes in their squads in the meantime.
Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo is the main beneficiary of his side becoming weary of taking their spending over the limit. The midfielder has been thrown in at the deep end at Old Trafford and emerged with immense credit.
Mainoo has quickly become the heartbeat of United’s midfield, scoring the winner in the Red Devils’ 4-3 win over Wolves in midweek to showcase that he is much more than a ball-winning midfielder. However, he isn’t the only youngster who has stepped up on the Premier League stage…
Willy Kambwala
Talented defender Kambwala has made two Premier League appearances for United so far this season and could feature more regularly towards the latter stages of the season. Injuries prompted Erik ten Hag to call on the 19-year-old for depth, but he could progress into a very useful player if given enough chances.
Lewis Miley has been one of Newcastle's most important players so far this season (Image: Getty)
Lewis Miley
Newcastle’s injury crisis has seen Miley become one of his boyhood club’s most impressive players so far this season. The 17-year-old has made 11 Premier League appearances and started in important Champions League fixtures, and he looks set to have a long and fruitful career at St James’ Park.
Oscar Bobb
Manchester City have an improving roster of homegrown talents coming through their ranks. Bobb is the latest star to break into Pep Guardiola’s plans, following in the footsteps of Phil Foden, Rico Lewis and former teammate Cole Palmer. The Norwegian has featured regularly for City over the past few months, bagging his first league goal in sensational style against Newcastle.
Conor Bradley & Jarell Quansah
Liverpool opted to splash the cash on their midfield over the summer despite their backline looking starved of depth. However, that is no longer the case as Bradley and Quansah have stepped up and taken to life in the Premier League like ducks to water. The defensive duo have not looked out of place in Jurgen Klopp’s team since they made their respective debuts and are both on the cusp of breaking into his first-choice starting XI.
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Conor Bradley opened his account for Liverpool in midweek (Image: Getty)
Brighton are never shy to give youngsters a chance, and Hinshelwood is the latest to take his opportunity at the Amex Stadium with both hands. He joined the Seagulls academy aged seven and his patience is now being rewarded with regular minutes under Roberto De Zerbi, being tasked to fill in at fullback consistently despite being a central midfielder. Brighton intend on relying on Hinshelwood’s versatility for many years to come, and he may not have had the chance to show his worth if alternatives were signed.
Alfie Gilchrist
Given that Chelsea have forked out over £1billion on new signings under Todd Boehly, many pondered where that would leave academy graduates. However, Gilchrist has proven that there is still a pathway at the club. The defender has made seven appearances for the Blues and may prevent them from needing to replace Thiago Silva over the summer.
David Ozoh
Crystal Palace midfielder Ozoh is just starting to break into Roy Hodgson and showcase why he is such a highly-regarded youngster, and his cameos certainly won’t deter the Eagles boss from handing him further opportunities. The playmaker has already won the support of fans and he could soon assert himself as a long-term option at Selhurst Park.
