The Next Big Thing

Newcastle United's history is littered with local legends who thrilled the home crowd, but in recent years the flow of exciting talent has dried up a little. However, there's an 18-year-old on the fringes of the first-team that could change all that: will Elliot Anderson be the Gallowgate End's new hero?

Borussia Dortmund's roster is filled with young superstars: Gio Reyna, Jude Bellingham, Erling Haaland, and Jadon Sancho. But there's a new kid on the block, and he's the youngest ever to appear in the Bundesliga. The question is, can Youssoufa Moukoko and Dortmund handle the already massive hype around him and ensure that he develops into the player he looks destined to be?

Jose Mourinho's reputation for not giving young players a chance has followed him around for most of his career, but are things changing at Tottenham? Is he already better with youngsters than Mauricio Pochettino? And could this be good news for up and coming talents like Dennis Cirkin…?

The Women's Super League is continuing to grow and, as a result, attracts some of the biggest names in women's football. While Manchester City might have World Cup winners in their squad, they continue to push through young English talent. Recently the likes of 21 year olds Georgia Stanway and goalkeeper Ellie Roebuck have become regular first team players, but now it's 20 year old Lauren Hemp who's looking to cement her place at the top.

Wolves have transformed under the guidance of manager Nuno Espirito Santo, going from middling men in the Championship to top half contenders in the Premier League. Now their Academy is starting to turn heads with the likes of Morgan Gibbs-White and Max Kilman impressing on the domestic stage. Next in line is the USMNT's latest recruit, Owen Otasowie but will he be given a chance to shine in Nuno's system?

Chelsea's Academy is brimming with talent, and they're getting more chances than ever before to make the step up to the Blues first team. So under the guidance of Frank Lampard and Jody Morris, can midfielder Lewis Bate make the grade?

There aren't many places prouder of their reputation as producers of young talent than West Ham. But they haven't actually produced much young talent, Declan Rice aside, in recent years, and when one did emerge in the shape of Grady Diangana, he was sold. Can winger Nathan Holland break through?

Aston Villa have started the season superbly, led by one of their own, Jack Grealish. But Grealish is the only academy product to have established himself in the first-team in the last decade or so: could Jacob Ramsey, another local lad, be the next to finally break through?

Arsenal have some exciting youngsters already in their first-team, but the next in line is a forward who isn't your typical footballer. Could Emile Smith Rowe be the Serge Gnabry that Arsenal don't let slip through their fingers?

Back in Don Revie's day, Leeds United were renowned for their ability to spot young Scottish talent. Stuart McKinstry is a player for the future, but he's also a blast from the past.

In 2013 Charlie McNeil left the Manchester United Academy to move across town to Manchester City. Six years and 600 goals later, he's going back. So who is he? Why is he shuttling between the two clubs? And does he have a better chance of making it at United than he did at City?

Our first Next Big Thing is Billy Koumetio, a 17-year-old French centre-back who was a fairly low-key arrival at Liverpool in 2018, but this summer has impressed Jurgen Klopp so much that he has bypassed several other youngsters and is now on the fringes of the first-team. The Athletic's James Pearce and Simon Hughes, and The Anfield Wrap's John Gibbons, tell you why…

A bitesize series of podcasts that will take a look at the brightest young talents in the Premier League and beyond. Our award-winning writers will not only tell you about the youngsters coming through at your club, but also offer a deeper look at youth set-ups, pathways to the first team and how these starlets are integrated into the senior sides. Or not, as the case may be...