The 10 youngsters set to take advantage of the Premier League’s new substitution format

There are a few tweaks fans will notice when the Premier League finally returns to action this week after its coronavirus-enforced hiatus.

One of the most glaring will be the size of the benches, with nine players now allowed to take a seat among the substitutes and at least five allowed on the field.

It is a measure that is set to help clubs deal with the fatigue and lack of match sharpness that players will undoubtedly suffer having not kicked a ball since March in any competitive form.

New substitution rules in the Premier League could afford young players more opportunities 

There have been suggestions that this new ruling is perhaps unfair, with Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder voicing his concern that this will only serve to benefit the bigger sides with more depth to their squads.

There is, however, another added benefit, if indeed unintentional.

The extra seats on the bench and the extra players allowed on the pitch presents managers with an opportunity to introduce younger players into the first-team fold who otherwise would not have been afforded the opportunity.

Young stars across the Premier League will be hoping to take advantage of this, and Sportsmail has taken a look at 10 figures primed to make the most of this one-off opportunity. 

Tino Anjorin (Chelsea)

As a club that prides itself on the quality of youngsters that come through their academy, it’s only natural that Chelsea should have kids of real star quality coming through.

Frank Lampard has given youth a chance since returning as first-team boss at Stamford Bridge, to the extent that some of their top young players are already growing into household names, such as Mason Mount and Tammy Abraham.

Tino Anjorin has been namechecked by Frank Lampard as one of Chelsea’s brightest talents

Scottish midfielder Billy Gilmour has also had his success this season breaking into the senior squad, but there is another starlet not far behind him in the form of Tino Anjorin.

The 17-year-old was handed his senior debut by Lampard in the 7-1 Carabao Cup win over Grimsby, and was handed his first Premier League appearance earlier this year during the 4-0 victory against Everton.

Name-checked by Lampard as one to watch during a Sky Sports interview in April, Anjorin, who has captained the Under 18s in their FA Youth Cup run this season, penned a new five-year deal at the club only this month – a strong indication that they see him as a long-term member of their squad.

Troy Parrott (Tottenham)

There is little doubt at Tottenham that Troy Parrott has what it takes to make the step up to the first team.

Fourteen goals in nine appearances for the Under 18s last term has earned him senior-team recognition this season for both club and country.

The 18-year-old actually made his international debut this season before making his Premier League bow for Spurs, setting up a goal in the Republic of Ireland’s 3-1 friendly victory over New Zealand in November.

He has since appeared against Burnley and Wolves, amassing just six minutes of action. He has been given more time in cup competitions – missing from the spot in the shoot-out during their defeat by Norwich in the fifth round of the FA Cup.

Troy Parrott has been warned by Jose Mourinho over his attitude to his development career

Despite his obvious talent, Jose Mourinho has delivered a warning over the striker’s attitude – telling him not to get too big for his boots when left out of the senior squad. ‘Every time you play with the kids of your age, you have to show your colleagues why you are the privileged one. Because it was something he was not doing,’ Mourinho warned his forward in March.

Having had his appendix removed only this month, Parrott will likely have to wait a few more weeks to get back to action, but Mourinho has already shown a willingness to help him get to where he wants to be.

Curtis Jones (Liverpool)

A name that almost certainly needs no introduction on Merseyside, Curtis Jones and other Liverpool youngsters will be angling for plenty of playing time in the run-in for a couple of reasons.

With the title virtually wrapped up for Jurgen Klopp’s men – they could seal it as early as this weekend in the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park on Sunday evening – there is a cohort of young talent that will be keen to take advantage of a run of fixtures with little riding on them to fill their boots with first-team playing time. It may also present the opportunity for some to pick up a Premier League winner’s medal.

Curtis Jones has already made a name for himself after his stunning Merseyside derby winner

Few are more primed to grasp that chance than Jones. The midfielder, still only 19, has produced performances of real maturity in cup competitions this seasons, most notably scoring a stunning winner in a Merseyside derby win over Everton in the third round of the FA Cup.

After netting from the spot in the penalty shoot-out victory over Arsenal in the Carabao Cup, Jurgen Klopp noted: ‘Curtis has no issue with self-confidence, he absolutely doesn’t struggle in that department.’

With two top-flight appearances to his name already this season, he is surely set for more.

Harvey Elliott (Liverpool)

Another Anfield youngster who is billed for big things, Harvey Elliott isn’t even old enough to sign professional terms at Liverpool, yet is already firmly in Jurgen Klopp’s thoughts.

After becoming the youngest player to make a Premier League appearance last season at the age of 16 years and 30 days, Elliott swapped Fulham for Merseyside in the summer after his contract ran out. Both clubs have failed to agree a fee, with the Cottagers wanting up to £10million awarded in the pending tribunal.

It is easy to see why the Championship club are looking for such a fee, such is the winger’s effortless ability. 

Harvey Elliott became the youngest player to ever play in the Premier League while at Fulham

He has stood out in Liverpool squads in cup competitions this year, taking his chances in competitions which Klopp has decided not to concentrate on this term.

After playing in the 5-0 defeat by Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup, he was one of a handful of youngsters flown out by the club to join the senior squad in Qatar for the Club World Cup finals.

The Reds plan to have him sign a new deal in July, and there is every chance that he will be given the opportunity to justify that decision on the pitch before the season comes to a finish.

Eric Garcia (Manchester City)

‘I like to work with smart people, intelligent people. He is one of them.’ When Pep Guardiola decides to make this type of statement on a player, you know he has the world at his feet.

The Manchester City boss has worked with some of the best talent in the world, and in Eric Garcia, he can see signs of a central defender capable of making it to the very top.

With his earlier learnings forged by Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy, the 19-year-old is well placed to make an impact in a Guardiola side, and has already done so, earning praise for his performances both in pre-season and cup competitions.

Eric Garcia has already earned the trust of Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola

The Spain Under-21 international has already made six Premier League appearances this season, and was even handed a start in the Champions League against Dinamo Zagreb, such is his manager’s faith.

Given the experiences of Phil Foden, it is known that Guardiola prefers to work young players in slowly, but the unprecedented fixture backlog of the coming weeks may see Garcia entrusted with a sizeable role until the end of the campaign.

James Garner (Manchester United)

James Garner’s experience at Old Trafford in 2019-20 has had a lot of fans left scratching their heads.

Despite his billing as one of the most promising players to come through the ranks at the club for some time, the 19-year-old has had to sit back and watch other young stars handed their chance ahead of him.

Brandon Williams and Tahith Chong have both been promoted and given plenty of playing time by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, but the central midfielder is being forced to be patient.

James Garner can consider himself unlucky with the lack of first team opportunites to date

It is a frustration that many recognise, not least United’s head of fist team development Nicky Butt. I think I’d probably be the same if I was 18 or 19 and not getting in the first-team,’ he told Manchester Evening News earlier this season.

‘I’d want to go and play men’s football as well, because you do come to a point in the reserves where you bypass that and it does become too easy for you.’

Garner has been a mainstay in United’s Europa League squad this season, but has only been afforded eight minutes of Premier League action – his only appearance coming against Norwich in October to add to his debut at Crystal Palace during the previous campaign. He’ll be hoping to add to that following the rule change.

Folarin Balogun (Arsenal)

Folarin Balogun may not have been trusted with a first-team debut as yet at Arsenal, but there is plenty to suggest his stock is high at The Emirates.

The American-born forward has been in fine form in Premier League 2, scoring 10 goals in 14 appearances – enough to tempt Championship side Brentford into a £5million bid for him in January.

That bid was rejected, with Arsenal clearly envisaging bigger things for the 19-year-old.

Arsenal rejected a £5million bid from Brentford for Folarin Balogun back in January

His hopes for first team action did look slim before the pandemic, with a raft of young stars having already established themselves in Mikel Arteta’s side, including Eddie Nketiah and Bukayo Saka.

But given the importance of squad depth in the run-in, this could hand the forward his chance to shine.

George Hirst (Leicester)

George Hirst has been a name on a lot of lips in England ever since coming through the ranks at Sheffield Wednesday.

The son of former striker David Hirst, the added weight of carrying a football name did not appear to sit heavy on the young forward’s shoulders, who has followed his old man into making a living out of scoring goals.

His move to Leicester last summer has proved somewhat acrimonious – Wednesday accusing Leicester of avoiding a tribunal fee for him by allowing him to move to Belgian club OH Leuven in 2018, a club also owned by the King Power International Group.

George Hirst, son of former striker David Hirst, has yet to make a first team appearance 

Whether there has been a desire to keep him out of the limelight for the above reason, Hirst has been consigned to the development squad this season, scoring nine times in 14 appearances.

Rodgers may choose to change that as the Foxes look for every bit of support they can get to seal a Champions League spot.

Taylor Perry (Wolves)

Taylor Perry may still only be 18, but it is clear that he already has the trust of Nuno Espirito Santo at Molineux.

The attacking midfielder has benefited from learning from a boss who has no qualms with giving younger players a chance – the development of Morgan Gibbs-White in the middle of the park case and point.

A local lad, Perry has been handed chances to impress in both the Carabao Cup and Europa League this season after impressing during pre-season.

Taylor Perry has been afforded chances in the Carabao Cup and Europa League this season

He set up Wolves’ only goal in the 2-1 Carabao Cup defeat by rivals Aston Villa in October, and there should be plenty more opportunity to come.

While you won’t catch Sanot saying anything publicly about the development about one of his star prospects, his involvement this season alone speaks volumes.

Lewis Gibson (Everton)

Back from a loan spell at Fleetwood town, Liam Gibson is more than primed to battle his way into contention at Everton for the remainder of the season.

Plucked from Newcastle United’s youth squad during the unhappy Peter Beardsley years, the Toffees parted with £5m to secure the services of the defender around his 17th birthday.

While he has been training with the first team, Gibson has yet to make a senior appearance, spending the 2019-20 campaign out on loan at Fleetwood Town.

Lewis Gibson has been out on loan and may need first team action to convince him to stay 

An unwillingness to sign a new contract has seen him linked with a move back to Tyneside when his contract runs out this summer, but it is something Everton will be looking to avoid for one of the club’s brightest prospects.

The change in rules will provide Carlo Ancelotti with more opportunities to permeate Gibson with the first team, and give him the reassurance he needs that he is thoroughly in future plans at Goodison Park.