Compare Preston North End, Burnley, Blackburn and Burnley’s most exciting prodigy

 

Under Vincent Kompany, the Clarets were worthy winners of the second tier, meaning they are once again among England’s elite and are looking to maintain their elite status .

They are closely followed by arch-rivals Blackburn Rovers and perhaps lesser opponents Preston North End, the latter of whom are trying to win the Premier League title for the first time in their history.

But how do each club’s top prodigy compare to each other? FLW has an inside look at some potential future stars.

Truth be told, when it comes to the young locals of Turf Moor, no one stands out immediately and seems like a star of the future. Kompany’s team is made up of outside recruits and youth academy graduates who have yet to really hit the headlines during his year in charge of the Belgians, although young goalkeeper Charlie Casper has occasionally worked with the first team since 2022.

However, Burnley’s most notable young talent right now has to be striker Luca Koleosho, who has dazzled the Premier League so far since arriving from Espanyol in the summer.

 

Despite only playing four times in La Liga, Koleosho was considered a good fit for the Clarets, who spent around £2.6m on the American-born Italian youth international.

It was unclear as to how much of a part the 19-year-old would play in the infancy of his Burnley career, but he has already been exciting in the top flight of English football and there is set to be a big international battle between Italy, the USA, Canada and Nigeria for the teenager’s services.

With funds at Ewood Park currently tight, the need for Rovers to keep bringing on talents through their academy system is greater than ever.

And they have a potential star of the future on their hands in Adam Wharton, who made his real breakthrough last season and is being courted by plenty of Premier League clubs.

Despite only actually featuring 18 times in the Championship in 2022-23, the left-footed midfielder impressed heavily, leading to clubs like Man United, Arsenal, Tottenham, Newcastle, Crystal Palace, Everton and Wolves being interested.

The 19-year-old is remarkably composed for his age and with Rovers valuing him at a mammoth £20 million, a club is going to have to go above and beyond to prize the teenager away from Blackburn and Jon Dahl Tomasson.