Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Phil Foden and Charly Musonda among young talents looking to impress in Carabao Cup: Sportsmail picks 10 stars to watch

  • The third round of the Carabao Cup gets underway on Tuesday evening
  • Many clubs are likely to give a chance to their highly talented youngsters
  • Plenty of Premier League clubs are set to rotate their squads in Carabao Cup 

The Carabao Cup third round may not see many fans' imagination run wild but for those on the fringes of Premier League sides, it is an opportunity to impress.

Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham are all expected to call on younger players with lower league opposition visiting the Premier League heavyweights on Tuesday and Wednesday night. 

Here, Sportsmail takes a look at 10 young talents who may be involved in this week's matches.

Manchester City youngster Phil Foden (right) could play against West Brom on Wednesday 

Manchester City youngster Phil Foden (right) could play against West Brom on Wednesday 

 

Ben Woodburn - Liverpool (vs Leicester City)


When Liverpool lined up against Leeds United in a League Cup quarter-final match last season, few would have expected Woodburn to steal the headlines by becoming the club's youngest ever goalscorer.

The 17-year-old Welsh winger volleyed home in front of the Kop End to seal a 2-0 win and with form on his side after exemplary displays for Wales recently, expect Jurgen Klopp to utilise him when they travel to Leicester City.

Ben Woodburn grabbed the headlines in the same competition last season against Leeds

Ben Woodburn grabbed the headlines in the same competition last season against Leeds

Ainsley Maitland-Niles - Arsenal (vs Doncaster)

The versatile Maitland-Niles, who can play on the wing or in midfield and has the strength to match, is edging closer to a regular role in the first team squad.

With 90 minutes against Cologne in the Europa League last Thursday, it is expected the 20-year old will be deployed down the left again when a struggling Doncaster Rovers side visit the Emirates.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles will be hoping for another 90 minutes when Arsenal play Doncaster

Ainsley Maitland-Niles will be hoping for another 90 minutes when Arsenal play Doncaster

Charly Musonda - Chelsea (vs Nottingham Forest)

Following a loan spell at Real Betis there is a real hope in west London that Musonda can make his mark when given the chance by Antonio Conte.

That chance looks set to be on Wednesday against Nottingham Forest after Chelsea legend John Terry appeared to give away the 20-year-old's impending start on Instagram.

There is real hope at Chelsea that 20-year-old Charly Musonda can make his mark 

There is real hope at Chelsea that 20-year-old Charly Musonda can make his mark 

Angel Gomes - Manchester United (vs Burton)

Many in the red half of Manchester view 17-year-old Gomes as one of the brightest talents in United's youth set-up.

Jose Mourinho has a wealth of riches to choose from ahead of Burton Albion's visit but if Gomes is going to add to his two minutes of first team action it would surely be at Old Trafford on Wednesday night.

Many in the red half of Manchester view Angel Gomes as one of the brightest talents at club

Many in the red half of Manchester view Angel Gomes as one of the brightest talents at club

Keinan Davis - Aston Villa (vs Middlesbrough)

Having scored his first professional goal in the 3-0 win over Barnsley at the weekend, there is real optimism in the Midlands that Villa have a serious talent in the shape of Davis.

Aged 19, the striker is already bullying Championship defences and despite a whirlwind month since his first start against Norwich City, it would be tough for manager Steve Bruce to leave him out when they host Middlesbrough.

There is real optimism in the Midlands that Aston Villa have a serious talent in Keinan Davis

There is real optimism in the Midlands that Aston Villa have a serious talent in Keinan Davis

Phil Foden - Manchester City (vs West Brom)

Manchester City's decision to keep Foden, rather than send him away on loan this summer, demonstrates that he is in Guardiola's plans.

Having demolished a hapless Watford at the weekend the Catalan coach is set to ring the changes and the 17-year-old midfielder will be eyeing a start at the Hawthorns.

Seen as the long-term successor to David Silva, Stockport-born Foden looked unfazed when deployed in pre-season and don't bet against another impressive display should be included against West Brom. 

Youngster Phil Foden looked unfazed when deployed in pre-season for Manchester City

Youngster Phil Foden looked unfazed when deployed in pre-season for Manchester City

Tashan Oakley-Boothe - Tottenham (vs Barnsley)

The fact that Oakley-Boothe is only 17 years of age and has already been called up to Tottenham's Under 23s squad shows just how much faith the club have in him.

The central midfielder was an instrumental player in Tottenham's Under 18s run to the FA Youth Cup semi-finals and became the first player born in the 21st century to play for the club on their pre-season tour of the United States. 

With Tottenham's games coming thick and fast already with the Premier League and Champions League on their minds, Mauricio Pochettino is likely to rotate his squad against Barnsley and Oakley-Boothe could get some game time. 

Tashan Oakley-Boothe became the first player born in the 21st century to play for Tottenham 

Tashan Oakley-Boothe became the first player born in the 21st century to play for Tottenham 

Jonjoe Kenny - Everton (vs Sunderland)

The 20-year-old captained Everton's Under 23s side all the way to the Premier League 2 title last season and impressed hugely as England won the Under 20s World Cup in the summer.

Kenny has already played twice for the Toffees in the Premier League during his short career and with Ronald Koeman's side looking tired following their domestic and European exertions, the right back could be deployed against Sunderland on Wednesday night.

Jonjoe Kenny captained Everton's Under 23s to the Premier League 2 title last season

Jonjoe Kenny captained Everton's Under 23s to the Premier League 2 title last season

Ben Brereton - Nottingham Forest (vs Chelsea)

Brereton played a leading role in England's Under 19s European Championships triumph in the summer, scoring three times for his country.

A host of Premier League clubs had previously shown interest in the tall 18-year-old forward, including the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United and Everton.

But the Forest talent signed a new four-year deal at the City Ground in the summer after impressing last season, in which he played 18 times since making his debut against Leeds in January. 

Ben Brereton has previously attracted interest from a host of Premier League outfits

Ben Brereton has previously attracted interest from a host of Premier League outfits

Jay-Roy Grot - Leeds (vs Burnley)

After signing from NEC Nijmegen on a four-year deal in the summer, Grot has only made three substitute appearances for Leeds this season but the 19-year-old will be hoping for match time when they face Burnley at Turf Moor on Tuesday. 

Grot, who has all the assets needed to be a top striker, was labelled as one of Holland's brightest young talents last season after scoring five goals in his first campaign at senior level.

The Dutchman, who can be used either as a striker or a winger, has the pace, power and dribbling ability to cause defenders plenty of problems, as well as being good in the air.

Young Leeds striker Jay-Roy Grot has all the assets to cause defenders plenty of problems

Young Leeds striker Jay-Roy Grot has all the assets to cause defenders plenty of problems