This season's NextGen Under 19s football series is already well underway.
You can read youth football expert Joe Krishnan's preview of the series to find out exactly what it's all about here, and this week, Joe has picked out five players he expects to shine in the competition.
Chuba Akpom – Arsenal
Despite being just 16, Akpom was given the opportunity of playing with some of Arsenal’s first-team stars after catching the eye of new assistant boss Steve Bould, who was the youth team manager at the time.
He’s scored three goals in four games for England’s Under-17 side, and netted a brace in Arsenal's NextGen team's opening 3-0 win over Marseille.
A quick striker with a lethal finishing touch, he could be fast-tracked into the Gunners’ young squad for the Capital One Cup next season if he continues to develop in NextGen.
Viktor Fischer – Ajax
The 18-year-old Danish Under-21 international is a major threat for the Dutch outfit when they attack, and any doubts about whether Fischer could replicate his goalscoring heroics of last year were quashed when he netted a superb hat-trick in the 5-0 mauling of Molde.
He has been described as the ‘new Christian Eriksen’, despite his compatriot being just three years older, and although his technical attributes are similar, he is much more focused on scoring goals rather than creating them like Eriksen.
Jerome Sinclair – Liverpool
Raheem Sterling, Andre Wisdom, Suso. The list goes on for Liverpool, who seem to finally be reaping the benefits of Rafa Benitez’s overhaul of the youth set-up after the inclusion of the trio in Brendan Rodgers’ senior squad for the Europa League victory over Young Boys.
But with those three gone, who can fill the void as the Reds look to make an impression on the tournament? Look no further than highly-rated 15-year-old Sinclair.
To play in the NextGen Series at 15 is an achievement in itself, and shows just how much faith Rodolfo Borrell has in his latest starlet.
Sinclair made an impression on his debut, winning a penalty in Liverpool’s 3-2 loss against Inter Milan, and despite the result, the pacy striker could be yet another star in the making at Anfield.
Stefano Padovan – Juventus
The 18-year-old is highly regarded by the Juventus staff after making the step up from the youth team to the ‘Primavera’.
He scored a double in exhilarating 3-3 draw with Fenerbahce just days after netting another double in their 3-0 win over Pro Vercelli.
With the club increasing its stature yet again in Serie A, youngsters like Padovan are getting their chance under former youth team coach Antonio Conte, with fellow rising star Luca Marrone successfully establishing himself at the Turin-based club.
If he continues to score in the NextGen, Padovan could become a first-team player at Juventus in no time.
Oteo – Athletic Bilbao
It’s no surprise to see a young Spanish sensation impressing in the NextGen, but Athletic Bilbao could have yet another gem on their hands in young Jurgi Oteo Gomez, known simply as ‘Oteo’.
Very much similar to current Athletic star Iker Muniain, Oteo is your typical small, yet incredibly balanced forward, with his low centre of gravity allowing him to have close control of the ball at his feet.
He netted twice in his first two NextGen games, and the 16-year-old is already said to be a target for Arsenal and Real Madrid.
Follow Joe on Twitter @JoeKrishnan