Manchester City's young guns have been on an absolute tear this season, firing 18 goals in their march to the FA Youth Cup final. Oliver Reiss' free-scoring side has dispatched Fulham, Arsenal, Chelsea, Everton, and Blackburn Rovers to set up a mouthwatering Manchester derby against their arch-rivals United.
Leading the charge is 16-year-old sensation Teddie Lamb, who netted in the semi-final win over Blackburn. The prolific striker has bagged 28 goals in just 26 appearances across all competitions this season—a remarkable return for a player who joined from Leyton Orient last year for a reported £355,000. Lamb topped the Premier League U18 scoring charts and was narrowly beaten to the Player of the Year award by Thursday's opponent, JJ Gabriel.
But the talent runs deep in City's academy. Keep an eye on Reigan Heskey, son of former Liverpool striker Emile, who also found the back of the net in the previous round. Then there's the Samba brothers—Tyrone and Floyd, sons of ex-QPR and Blackburn defender Chris—who have combined for 18 goals this season.
At the back, 18-year-old Leke Drake has been a rock. Named City's Premier League Scholar of the Year, the defender has played every game and captained the side to the U18 North title. Known for his composure on the ball and versatility, Drake is one to watch for the future.
Midfielder Harrison Miles may have only scored twice this season, but one of those was a thunderous long-range strike against United in the league—a game City turned around from 2-0 down to win 4-2. "I can't wait to play," said Miles. "It's my second time in a final like this, so it's definitely exciting. We know a lot of their players, but it's always a big occasion. It's a Manchester derby, and we're competing in the league. It's probably heightened by that, but we're all just focused on the game and what's to come."
The Youth Cup final kicks off at 19:00 BST on Thursday, with coverage starting at 18:50 BST. For young football fans and aspiring players, this is a glimpse into the stars of tomorrow—and a reminder that the next generation of talent is already making its mark.