A fresh crop of Premier League academy graduates are being tested in the lower divisions this season, with several highly rated prospects sent out on loan to sharpen their games ahead of potential top-flight careers.
Among the most intriguing is 18-year-old goalkeeper Ollie Whatmuff, who has moved from Manchester City to Stockport County. Whatmuff enjoyed a breakthrough campaign last season, helping Rochdale win promotion from the National League under manager Jimmy McNulty. When McNulty took the reins at Stockport, two divisions higher, Whatmuff was his first choice to bring along. City's admiration for the teenager was evident when he was included in the club's pre-season tour party, training alongside Gianluigi Donnarumma. Judges of the game believe his composure on the ball marks him out as a future Premier League and international goalkeeper.
At Bolton, Aston Villa winger Samuel Iling-Junior is searching for consistency after a nomadic career that has included spells with Juventus, Middlesbrough, West Brom and Pisa. The 22-year-old, capable of operating on either flank thanks to his two-footedness and pace, has scored in Serie A and collected 16 England Under-21 caps, but needs regular football to fulfil his potential.
Manchester City midfielder Charlie Gray, who made his senior debut under Pep Guardiola after joining the club aged five, has joined Wigan Athletic for the season. Gray, an FA Youth Cup winner, overcame a fractured spine and shin injuries earlier in his career and is regarded by Guardiola as "clever and intelligent" in a holding role. He was left out of Wigan's opening three fixtures, all defeats, before starting in Wednesday's win over MK Dons.
Tottenham forward Mason Melia, signed for a League of Ireland record fee from St Patrick's Athletic after nearly 100 senior appearances there, has joined Lincoln City. Known for his intelligent movement and finishing, Melia arrives at a club still searching for goals following a goalless draw with Blackburn in which they managed just one shot on target.
Nottingham Forest striker Lamin Sillah, discovered playing for Steve Biko FC in the Gambia and with previous experience at Olympiakos, has moved to Gillingham, a side who have scored only twice in four league games this season. Aston Villa's Tommi O'Reilly, once likened to Phil Foden by academy teammates, is on his fifth loan spell, now with Doncaster Rovers under Grant McCann after impressing at Crewe last term with seven goals in a full League Two campaign.
Liverpool striker Keyrol Figueroa, son of former Wigan defender Maynor Figueroa, is turning heads at Port Vale. Born in the United States, Keyrol has since switched allegiance to Honduras, earning his first cap this year, and hopes to follow in his father's footsteps as a fan favourite.
Crystal Palace full-back Rio Cardines, who already has 11 caps for Trinidad & Tobago, has settled well at Bristol City despite being deployed at left-back by manager Michael Skubala, a change of position that has yielded three assists so far. Meanwhile, Brighton's Harry Howell, who made a Premier League bench appearance at just 16 and debuted against then-champions Liverpool at 17, has joined Leicester City as part of manager Russell Martin's rebuilding project, alongside fellow Brighton loanees Tommy Watson and Kamari Doyle. Howell's father Jamie began his career at Arsenal, while his cousin Jack Hinshelwood is now a Brighton regular.
Based on reporting from The Guardian.