As one of the most prestigious and well-run academy systems outside of the Premier League, Carlos Carvalhal and Sheffield Wednesday has a wide array of young talent to choose from.

One of the key reasons for Sheffield Wednesday's success at bringing through youth players from the academy system to the first team has been down to Portuguese boss Carlos Carvalhal.

Carlos Carvalhal has shown a willingness and a bravery at times to allow young players to have the opportunity in the first team if he feels that they are capable of competing at Championship level.

This is something that you don't always see with managers so it is certainly praiseworthy.

Carvalhal's philosophy which does see a commitment to the progression and development of young talent is a significant factor for Sheffield Wednesday's next generation of stars.

FLW writer Elliott Wheat-Bowen looks at two Sheffield Wednesday young stars who will be worth serious money in the years to come...

Joe Wildsmith

After breaking through from Sheffield Wednesday's academy, Wildsmith's early footballing career saw stints on loan at Alfreton Town and Barnsley.

However, this season, the 21-year-old goalkeeper broke through into the first-team set up this season, making his senior debut in the FA Cup tie against Middlesbrough.

Joe Wildsmith has only made two appearances this season, the other being a shock EFL Cup defeat to Cambridge United.

The talented goalkeeper hasn't featured more due to a series of unfortunate circumstances: namely, the combination of injuries and the excellent form of Keiren Westwood has limited his first-team opportunities.

As the understudy to an excellent goalkeeper in Keiren Westwood, there is no doubt that Wildsmith will be developing into an excellent goalkeeper hismelf and he will continue to improve under Carvalhal's careful watch.

The gifted goalkeeper has already been capped at England Under 20 level and promoted to the England Under 21 side and he will begin to attract interest from the Premier League, with sides willing to offer serious money to prise Wildsmith away from the South Yorkshire side.

George Hirst

Alongside Joe Wildsmith, one of the brightest young players coming out of Sheffield Wednesday's academy is George Hirst.

Having progressed through Sheffield Wednesday's academy, Hirst has shown the drive and determination needed to break through into the first team set-up.

The England Under 18 international recently made his senior debut in the Championship, coming on as a second-half substitute in the 2-1 defeat to Reading.

A number of Premier League sides have expressed an interest including Arsenal and Everton, who are closely monitoring Hirst's progress.

If Hirst can continue to be involved in Sheffield Wednesday's senior squad and feature regularly for the South Yorkshire side, the Premier League interest will materialise into serious money bids in an attempt to secure the talented forward's signature.