Sourced from Daily Mail article
Chalobah, Chilwell, Edwards and the Premier League kids in the EFL Cup
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It has become almost tradition for the third round of the EFL Cup to provide Premier League clubs with the opportunity, or excuse, to blood their youngsters.
And this season was no different as Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham handed game time to some of their brightest stars.
Here’s how they got on this week…
The Gunners starlet is primarily a winger by trade but showed his defensive capabilities - as well as his searing pace - with a solid performance at right back against Nottingham Forest.
A summer signing from Bolton, Holding did not let anybody down in the heart of the Gunners’ defence and comfortably shackled former Arsenal forward Nicklas Bendtner.
The fleet-footed midfielder showed glimpses of his seemingly boundless talent and bamboozled the Forest backline on a couple of occasions, but his impressive showing went under the radar as Lucas Perez stole the headlines with a brace.
Born in Berlin to Ethiopian parents, the US youth international did not have much time to make an impression at the City Ground but was neat and tidy in possession, as you would expect.
Willock was an 83rd minute substitute in midweek and as a result did not have enough time to make a substantial impact, but the teenager is very highly regarded at the Emirates.
Another very late substitute as Wenger’s side ran out comfortable winners, Bielik was not troubled during his brief cameo in Nottingham.
Big things are expected of Cook at the Vitality Stadium but he failed to take the chance afforded to him by Eddie Howe. The former Leeds star was largely anonymous as Bournemouth crashed out of the EFL Cup to Preston.
A summer signing from Fuham and full US international, he made his debut and little impression in the 3-2 defeat.
Mousset helped swing the momentum in Bournemouth’s favour when brought on as a half-time substitute, causing Preston’s problems with his pace, close control and fearlessness.
Jordan has been at Bournemouth since he was seven years of age and replaced Tyrone Mings in extra-time at the Vitality Stadium, but his debut for Howe’s men did not go the way he would have hoped as he failed to prevent Simon Makienok from netting a late, late winner.
After four years at the club and six loan spells away, the England Under 21 international, with 31 caps to his name, finally made his first-team debut in the 4-2 win over Leicester. A dynamic, vibrant presence in midfield, he helped the Blues overturn a two-goal deficit at Leicester with his energy and ball retention.
Holgate has impressed for Everton under Ronald Koeman but did not produce a stellar performance against Norwich, who ran out 2-0 winners. His distribution was poor and his positioning was slightly muddled.
A Manchester United youth player, Weir crucially laid the ball across for Markus Henriksen to fire Hull into the last-16 of the EFL Cup. Weir was deputising at right back for the Tigers and looked uncomfortable at times.
Like Weir, Keane joined Hull in the transfer window after failing to make the grade at Manchester United and was relatively quiet against two tough defenders in the form of Bruno Martins Indl and Ryan Shawcross. Seemed to lack understanding with fellow new recruit Dieumerci Mbokani.
Chilwell showed why clubs such as Arsenal and Liverpool are interested in him with an impressive outing against Chelsea. The left back was incredibly comfortable on the ball and kept Victor Moses quiet, though he did pick up a booking late on.
Big things are expected of Grujic and he did not disappoint at the iPro stadium with a well-rounded display in his side’s 3-0 win over Derby. The Serbian was able to showcase his technical quality and looked well-suited to the rigours of English football.
Snapped up from Arsenal’s youth academy in 2014, Ejaria showed in his cameo against the Rams that he can meet Klopp’s requirements when it comes to application and pressing. The 18-year-old also gave the travelling Liverpool faithful glimpses of his technical prowess.
Another youngster to be played out of their preferred position, left back Angelino was deployed in an offensive role by Pep Guardiola. The teenager almost put City ahead early on but was largely ineffective throughout his side’s 2-1 victory over Swansea.
Signed from Villarreal in August 2015, Garcia made his debut in the 5-1 mauling at the hands of Chelsea in last season’s FA Cup but had a much better evening at the Liberty Stadium. The midfielder scored City’s second, which proved to be decisive, and also hustled and harried Swansea’s engine room vigorously.
The talented Spaniard was only afforded 10 minutes of action by Guardiola but that was all he needed to get City fans excited. Diaz was lively and energetic, if a little lightweight.
Big things are expected of Adarabioyo, but the defender did not have time to make too much of an impression as he was a stoppage-time substitute for fellow starlet Garcia.
Fosu-Mensah was sacrificed by Jose Mourinho as Manchester United struggled to overcome Northampton. The early second-half hook was not down to his performance, though, as the Dutchman went about his defensive duties capably and was rarely troubled by what the plucky minnows had to offer.
Three years since making his debut, Reed quietly impressed in the Saints midfield. The Englishman showed his footballing brain and passing range time and time again and made a compelling case to be given more Premier League action by Claude Puel.
Hesketh showed why Ronald Koeman saw fit to give him his debut at the age of 18 with a fine outing against Crystal Palace. Creative and efficient in possession, Hesketh rounded off a fine evening with the decisive second goal. Partial to a through ball, too.
Gooch joined the Black Cats from Santa Cruz Breakers and has broken into the first-team this season. His work ethic and application was not in question against Queens Park Rangers but the versatile American rarely threatened offensively.
Asoro’s pace and energy caused the Championship side plenty of problems, though he did lack composure when opportunities presented themselves.
After catching the eye of former boss Sam Allardyce, Jermain Defoe has taken the young forward under his wing. Made his debut as a substitute in the final 20 minutes but failed to make an impact at Loftus Road.
The US youth international was composed and rarely troubled as Tottenham battered lowly Gillingham into submission. Will have much sterner tests in North London but a positive outing nonetheless.
Having signed a new long-term deal at Spurs last week, the academy product impressed during his first start. Comfortable if not overly adventurous in possession, Winks showed skill and athleticism in equal measure.
The England Under 19 international scored his first goal for Tottenham and was industrious as ever in the heart of midfield. Might find it hard to become a regular at White Hart Lane this season but certainly did his chances no harm at all with a classy, confident display.
Having drawn comparisons with Lionel Messi from Mauricio Pochettino, the teenager glistened in a second-half cameo appearance and came close to scoring late on. Bamboozled the Gillingham backline with a couple of jinking runs.
Another Spurs youngster to make their first-team debut in the midweek EFL Cup tie, Walkes was a late substitute and did not have time to make a real name for himself.
After signing on a four-year deal from Sion in August, the Swiss Under 21 player impressed for West Ham, who struggled to beat Accrington Stanley. Given license to roam in the middle of midfield by Bilic, Fernandes popped up around the pitch and created openings for his team-mates on a couple of occasions.
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