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Kids are alright

Dominic Solanke, Andreas Christensen, Dominic Calvert-Lewin… which wonderkid will take the Premier League by storm for your club in the 2017-18 season?

From Arsenal to West Ham and everyone in between, which young star is set to take on a prominent role next term?

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IN the modern era of £50million transfer fees becoming the norm, it's easy to get lost in the world of mega-money transfers.

The £100m-barrier is set to be shattered this summer - with Kylian Mbappe's impending move away from Monaco set to break all records.

 The £100m-barrier could be broken by Kylian Mbappe, but should clubs focus on youth?
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The £100m-barrier could be broken by Kylian Mbappe, but should clubs focus on youth?Credit: Rex Features

However, sometimes there's nothing better than watching your club develop an intriguing young talent.


Keep up to date with ALL the football news, gossip, transfers and goals on our page plus fixtures, results and live match commentary.


Rather than splash out the big bucks, sometimes it's better to raise a home-grown hero - with some clubs showing off incredible results in recent years.

With that in mind, check out which youngster could stand out for each of the 20 Premier League clubs, below...

ARSENAL - Ainsley Maitland-Niles

 Ainsley Maitland-Niles may be set for a larger role at Arsenal in 2017-18
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Ainsley Maitland-Niles may be set for a larger role at Arsenal in 2017-18Credit: Reuters

AFTER three games for Arsenal all the way back in 2014-15, young Maitland-Niles spent 2015-16 away on loan at Ipswich.

His first-team opportunities were limited last season, with just one Premier League outing along with six cup games.

Adept at playing centrally in midfield, on the wing or even deeper at right-back, the 19-year old could be set to play a much greater role in 2017-18.

BOURNEMOUTH - Brad Smith

 Brad Smith may get more starting opportunities at Bournemouth this year
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Brad Smith may get more starting opportunities at Bournemouth this yearCredit: Action Images via Reuters

SLIGHTLY older than most on this list, 2017-18 will be an integral season for 23-year-old Smith.

Signed from Liverpool last summer for £6m, Smith was limited to just five Premier League games last term, mostly thanks to loan star Nathan Ake's form and Charlie Daniels.

However, given the chance, the Australian full-back could be set for big things in the league.

BRIGHTON - Ben White

 Ben White looks to have a bright future at newly-promoted Brighton
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Ben White looks to have a bright future at newly-promoted Brighton

HARDLY a regular in Brighton's promotion season, White signed his first professional deal just one year ago.

White, 19, made his EFL Cup debut in the 4-0 drubbing of Colchester last term.

Boss Chris Hughton is said to be a big fan on the young centre-back and could enjoy a breakout season.

BURNLEY - Aiden O'Neill

 Burnley will be hoping for big things from young Aiden O'Neill
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Burnley will be hoping for big things from young Aiden O'NeillCredit: Getty Images

ANOTHER Australian on the list, O'Neill, 18, made his Premier League debut against Liverpool last season.

The central midfielder spent the second-half of last season on loan at Oldham.

That first team experience could be just the boost he needs to break into Sean Dyche's plans.

CHELSEA - Andreas Christensen

 Andreas Christensen has spent two years at Borussia Monchengladbach
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Andreas Christensen has spent two years at Borussia MonchengladbachCredit: Getty Images

AFTER two years away on loan at Bundesliga giants Borussia Monchengladbach, many will have forgotten about Christensen.

The Danish centre-back could be set for big things, with the Blues desperately short in the middle of their back-four.

With John Terry gone, Kurt Zouma potentially also on his way out, Chelsea will rely solely on Gary Cahill and David Luiz, handing Christensen a major boost.

CRYSTAL PALACE - Sullay KaiKai

 Sullay KaiKai will hope to impress the new Crystal Palace manager
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Sullay KaiKai will hope to impress the new Crystal Palace managerCredit: Getty Images

A YOUTH product of the Eagles, KaiKai spent the first half of last season on loan at Championship high-flyers Brentford.

KaiKai, 21, even turned out in the final game of the Premier League season against Manchester United.

While his future is up in the air, with the club being without a boss, the winger will be hoping to nail down a first-team spot in 2017-18.

EVERTON - Dominic Calvert-Lewin

 Dominic Calvert-Lewin could be set for a much larger role in 2017-18
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Dominic Calvert-Lewin could be set for a much larger role in 2017-18Credit: PA:Press Association

THE Toffees are brimming with young talent at the moment, with Ademola Lookman and Tom Davies just two stars to make the grade last season.

Now, with Romelu Lukaku set to depart, it could be Calvert-Lewin's chance to step up.

The Everton ace scored the winner in the final as England Under-20s won the World Cup this summer - and after 11 appearances last season, he could be in line for more.

HUDDERSFIELD - Philip Billing

 Philip Billing is the stand-out young star of Huddersfield
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Philip Billing is the stand-out young star of HuddersfieldCredit: Getty Images

DANISH star Billing, 21, arrived at Huddersfield back in 2013.

He has been in and around David Wagner's first-team set-up for the past two seasons, showing glimpses of real quality.

Despite the step-up to the Premier League, 2017-18 could be the year he fits the Bill for the Terriers.

LEICESTER - Ben Chilwell

 Ben Chilwell was chased by a host of top clubs just 12 months ago
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Ben Chilwell was chased by a host of top clubs just 12 months agoCredit: Reuters

A TRANSFER target for footballing giants including Liverpool just a year ago, Chilwell was limited to just 12 appearances last season.

The English full-back, 20, was behind Christian Fuchs in the pecking order.

But 2017-18 could be a different story as he grows into his role in the Foxes' back four.

LIVERPOOL - Dominic Solanke

 Dominic Solanke won the Under-20s World Cup Golden Ball award
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Dominic Solanke won the Under-20s World Cup Golden Ball awardCredit: AP:Associated Press

AN early summer signing for the Reds, it was suggested England Under-20 World Cup Golden Ball winner Solanke would spend most of the season in Liverpool's Under-23s.

However, with Daniel Sturridge expected to leave, Solanke could find himself in more than his fair share of match-day squads.

If he can keep up his knack for scoring big goals, he could be vital as Liverpool look to finally win their first Premier League crown.

MAN CITY - Aleix Garcia

 Aleix Garcia is arguably the best of the current youth crop at Man City
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Aleix Garcia is arguably the best of the current youth crop at Man CityCredit: Reuters

ALREADY in and around Pep Guardiola's squad last season, Garcia made eight appearances in all competitions in 2016-17.

The Spanish midfielder, 19, seems to be the youth product with the greatest chance of forcing his way into the first-team.

That said, with the wealth of talent - and money - on display at the Etihad, it won't be easy for him.

MAN UNITED - Axel Tuanzebe

 Axel Tuanzebe looks to have a bright future at Man United
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Axel Tuanzebe looks to have a bright future at Man UnitedCredit: Rex Features

THANKS in no small part to United's defensive injury crisis last season, Tuanzebe forced his way into Jose Mourinho's senior squad.

While he played predominantly as a centre-back for the Under-23s, the star, 19, has proven to be a very versatile commodity - even running out as Reserve Team Player of the Year.

In his limited game-time, Tuanzebe proved he could cut it in the senior squad and will look to tie down a starting role in 2017-18.

NEWCASTLE - Adam Armstrong

 Adam Armstrong will be looking forward to life back in the Premier League
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 Adam Armstrong will be looking forward to life back in the Premier LeagueCredit: Reuters

AT Newcastle since joining as a kid in 2006, Armstrong is hoping to live up to the billing of becoming the 'next Alan Shearer'.

Successful stints at both Coventry and Barnsley have set the 20-year-old up well... Armstrong could now be ready to enjoy a breakout season.

With 15 Premier League appearances under his belt already, he won't be overawed by the occasion.

SOUTHAMPTON - Matt Targett

 Matt Targett will be hoping for more opportunities this term
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Matt Targett will be hoping for more opportunities this termCredit: Action Images

INCREDIBLY, Targett made just four Premier League appearances last season.

The English left-back has been at the Saints since 2003 and would have easily warranted a spot in the starting XI had it not been for Ryan Bertrand.

However, should the former Chelsea man leave the club or miss a prolonged period of time, Targett would be the man to turn to at St Mary's.

STOKE - Ramadan Sobhi

 Ramadan Sobhi has enjoyed a solid start to life at Stoke
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Ramadan Sobhi has enjoyed a solid start to life at StokeCredit: Reuters

NO stranger to first-team action, Sobhi made 19 appearances in all competitions for the Potters last term.

With more experience under his belt, Mark Hughes may be ready to unleash the 20-year-old Egyptian on the Premier League.

Sobhi showed enough flashes of skill to fully justify a spot in the starting XI.

SWANSEA - Oliver McBurnie

 Oliver McBurnie scored twice on his Swansea debut in the EFL Cup
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Oliver McBurnie scored twice on his Swansea debut in the EFL CupCredit: Reuters

TWO goals on his Swansea debut, McBurnie has also showed what he's about.

He netted a brace against Peterborough in the EFL Cup and enjoyed a strong campaign for the Under-23s.

Scotland star McBurnie made five Premier League appearances last term - and is now ready to make the step up.

TOTTENHAM - Josh Onomah

 Could 2017-18 be the breakout year for Tottenham star Josh Onomah?
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Could 2017-18 be the breakout year for Tottenham star Josh Onomah?Credit: Getty Images

MAURICIO POCHETTINO has developed an incredible reputation for nurturing young talent and leading them to thrive in the senior set-up.

Harry Kane and Dele Alli are prime examples, while players such as Harry Winks also shone last season.

This time around, it could be midfielder Onomah's opportunity - and with 13 Premier League games under his belt already, he's set to move on to bigger things in 2017-18.

WATFORD - Jerome Sinclair

 Jerome Sinclair was starved of first-team action in the 2016-17 season
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Jerome Sinclair was starved of first-team action in the 2016-17 seasonCredit: Reuters

AFTER leaving Liverpool in search of first-team football, things didn't quite pan out as he would have hoped.

Sinclair featured just five times in the Premier League last term and was loaned out to Birmingham for the rest of the year.

But at just 20-years-old, Sinclair has more than enough time to make his mark in the Prem... possibly this year.

WEST BROM - Jonathan Leko

 Jonathan Leko has shown a lot of potential while at the Hawthorns
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Jonathan Leko has shown a lot of potential while at the HawthornsCredit: Reuters

ALONG with midfielder Sam Field, Leko is the future of the Baggies.

The forward, 18, has 14 Premier League appearances under his belt already in his two seasons in the first-team fold.

2017-18 could be his year to cement his place in the starting XI.

WEST HAM - Declan Rice

 Declan Rice could play a big role in defence for West Ham in 2017-18
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Declan Rice could play a big role in defence for West Ham in 2017-18Credit: Reuters

YOUNG Ireland centre-back Rice has shown plenty of potential in recent months.

He even played in the final Premier League game of the season and won the Hammers' Young Player of the year award.

Rice, 18, earned a call-up to the Republic of Ireland squad in may and could be set for more action in 2017-18.

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