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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Marcus Christenson

From Saka to Ackermann: what happened to Next Generation 2018?

Next Generation Bukayo Saka Arsenal EPL Bournemouth Isaak Davies Tommy Doyle Football Häcken
Brommapojkarna’s Kevin Ackermann, Bukayo Saka of Arsenal and Napoli’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
Left to right: Kevin Ackermann of the Swedish club Brommapojkarna, Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka and Napoli’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Composite: Guardian Design; Alamy; Pro Sports/Shutterstock; Pressinphoto/Shutterstock

It is the time of year when we check in on the Next Generation players we picked in 2018 to follow for five years, to assess their progress amid success, setbacks, injuries, trophies won and transfers made.

Next Generation started in 2014 with the aim of showing the difficulties that even the best prospects in the Premier League (we pick one from each club at first-year scholar age) and the rest of the world (we choose 60 born in a specific calendar year) face on their way towards the top.

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