The Premier League season is back, following a summer filled with Club World Cup excitement and significant transfer activity. The burning question now is: which young talents have shone during preseason, hinting at a potential breakthrough into their respective first teams this year? Following Myles Lewis-Skelly’s unexpected rise at Arsenal in 2024-25, let’s examine the candidates poised to make a similar impact across the league.
Arsenal: Max Dowman, 15, FW/AM
Arsenal’s famed Hale End academy appears to have unearthed another exceptional talent in Max Dowman. At just 15 years old, this midfielder is already drawing comparisons to Martin Ødegaard, thanks to his role as a right-sided playmaker who seamlessly drifts infield onto his stronger left foot. However, Dowman distinguishes himself with his exceptional dribbling, take-on ability, and impressive speed on the ball. His composure when facing seasoned defenders, as demonstrated during Arsenal’s preseason tour, is particularly remarkable for someone his age.
With an impressive record of 15 goals and five assists in last year’s U18 Premier League, Dowman’s level is already beyond academy football. While he’s still too young to sign a professional contract, significant playing time this season could be crucial in persuading him to commit his long-term future to Arsenal.
Aston Villa: Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba, 18, CM
Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba, an England youth international, played a pivotal role in Aston Villa’s historic treble-winning U18 side last season, even finding the net in the FA Youth Cup final. Jimoh-Aloba is still defining his exact role, showcasing his versatility across central midfield. His stamina, creativity, attacking instincts, and exceptional close control suggest a long-term future in the attacking third. His potential has not gone unnoticed, as evidenced by his inclusion among the substitutes for Villa’s Premier League opener against Newcastle, signaling Unai Emery’s intention to involve him in the first team this season.
Bournemouth: Eli Junior Kroupi, 19, ST
Originally signed in January before being loaned back to Lorient, Eli Junior Kroupi capped off a stellar campaign by securing promotion and finishing as Ligue 2’s top scorer with an impressive 22 goals. A natural poacher, the 19-year-old thrives within the penalty box, where his sharp instincts and intelligent movement allow him to exploit gaps and capitalize on defensive weaknesses.
Kroupi’s shots aren’t solely reliant on power; he favors precise, composed finishes, particularly with his right foot – an astounding 20 of his 22 league goals were scored that way, along with two headers. Beyond his penalty-box expertise, he provides pace to stretch defensive lines and a willingness to press, making him a well-rounded attacking threat.
Brighton & Hove Albion: Charalampos Kostoulas, 18, FW
Brighton invested €35 million (the club’s third-largest outlay) to acquire Charalampos Kostoulas, a Greece U21 international, to help offset João Pedro’s departure to Chelsea. The 18-year-old striker combines a solid build with impressive mobility and sharp finishing skills, boasting a 50% shot accuracy rate for Olympiacos last season. While most effective near the penalty area, his fine technique and vision allow him to drop into a No.10 role. Kostoulas also contributes defensively, from marking at set-pieces to pressing aggressively.
Brentford: Antoni Milambo, 20, CM
Brentford’s acquisition of Antoni Milambo came as a surprise, considering he had recently been linked with clubs like Manchester United. Milambo, who made a record-breaking debut for Feyenoord at the age of 16, already possesses Eredivisie, cup, and European experience. He is a dynamic box-to-box midfielder, intelligent in his positioning to receive the ball and always eager to drive forward upon receiving it. While he may not be a spectacular creator yet, he is certain to bring energy, intense pressing, and tactical awareness to his new side.
Burnley: Loum Tchaouna, 20, FW/AM
Loum Tchaouna, brought on for 30 minutes in the season opener against Tottenham, offered glimpses of the direct threat he will add to Burnley’s frontline. The France U21 international joined from Lazio after showcasing his potential at this summer’s European Under-21 Championship. An excellent dribbler, the left-footed attacker is explosive in transition and injects pace into the attack. He also takes defensive responsibilities seriously, winning an impressive 68% of his duels (3 per 90 minutes) last season.
Chelsea: Jorrel Hato, 19, CB/LB
True to their recent strategy of signing world-class prospects, Chelsea swiftly secured a €40m deal to bring Jorrel Hato from Ajax this month. At just 19 years old, he has already made over 100 appearances for the Dutch giants and has established himself as Netherlands’ first-choice left-back. Hato, quick, composed in possession, and blessed with sharp anticipation skills, can seamlessly operate as a left-back or center-back. Unlike many of Chelsea’s previous acquisitions, the Dutchman is expected to compete for a first-team spot immediately, particularly in the absence of the injured Levi Colwill.
Crystal Palace: Romain Esse, 20, AM
Six months into his Palace career, Romain Esse appears poised to make the leap from prospect to serious first-team contender. The 20-year-old winger, signed from Millwall in January, already made his mark last season by scoring with his first Premier League touch against Brentford. But there’s more to come. Quick, direct, unpredictable, and technically sound, he navigates tight spaces effectively and is a livewire in the attacking half. The England U20 international’s chances of increased playing time this season may also improve with the likely departure of Eberechi Eze.
Everton: Adam Aznou, 19, LB
Adam Aznou, a €9m summer signing from Bayern Munich, already has three senior caps for Morocco and gained valuable senior experience on loan at Real Valladolid last season, where he made 13 appearances in LaLiga before joining Everton.
Having been schooled at Barcelona’s famous La Masia academy early in his career, Aznou offers an assured touch on the ball, strong passing skills, and his deep, flat crosses are also noteworthy. His pedigree makes him a viable rotation option for Vitaliy Mykolenko, and he could even ultimately replace him in the starting lineup.
Fulham: Josh King, 18, CM
Fulham, renowned for having one of the best academies in England, recently secured another of their rising teenage stars to a four-year deal. Josh King, an England U19 international, had already experienced Premier League action last season, but started the opening fixture away at Brighton this term and looked perfectly at home across 77 minutes in the 1-1 draw. Elegant and technically assured, King can play as a deep-lying No. 6 or a box-to-box No. 8 midfielder and stands out for his composure in possession, which allows him to dictate the tempo and circulate the ball. Smooth, mobile, and tactically intelligent, he possesses all the necessary attributes to become a key player for Fulham in the years to come.
Leeds United: Harry Gray, 16, ST
Harry Gray is a genuine wildcard in Leeds’ attack. Fast-tracked into first-team training by manager Daniel Farke in March, the 16-year-old made his senior debut in April’s 6-0 win over Stoke before scoring in the National League Cup final for the U21s in the win over Sutton United. The younger brother of Tottenham defender Archie Gray (who left Leeds for a £40m move in 2024), Harry brings the same remarkable maturity — only higher up the pitch — with incisive runs across the line, fine first touches, close control in crowded spaces and a natural calm in front of goal. Playing time will obviously be carefully managed at his age, yet his level already looks high enough to get a taste of Premier League football and Leeds have a history of blooding young players if they are good enough.
Liverpool: Rio Ngumoha, 16, AM/FW
Rio Ngumoha caused a stir with a rampant showing in a preseason friendly against Athletic Club, exploding onto the scene with a goal that showcased his lightening acceleration, mesmerizing turns, incredible dribbling and fearless attitude. Compact and robust, the former Chelsea academy talent combines a blistering change of pace with innate confidence rarely seen in one so young. Ngumoha is willing to demand the ball, take on defenders and make things happen, so offers manager Arne Slot a potential game-changing presence option from the bench.
Manchester City: Reigan Heskey, 17, AM
Tracking Manchester City’s academy prospects can be overwhelming given the constant loans and sheer depth they have, but Heskey is one who might get a first-team chance this season. The England U17 international, son of Emile and brother of Jaden (who is also in the City academy), struck 18 goals and provided seven assists in just 19 U18 matches last season. That tally was topped up with three more for the U21s in only 61 minutes of action.
A right-footed inverted winger who plays on the left, his first touch, shooting, acceleration and technique on the ball are standout qualities. Heskey loves to craft space for a finish between the right back and center back in the style of PSG winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. And once he starts setting up a shot upon entering the box, the ball typically ends up in the net.
Manchester United: Chido Obi, 17, ST
Picked up by Manchester United from the Arsenal academy in September 2024, after scoring 32 goals in 18 games for Gunners’ U18 side against players typically two or three years his senior, Obi is a goal-scoring sensation and full of promise. He got his first Premier League exposure last season — including a full 90 minutes against Brentford when he became the youngest United player to start a league match — and is ready to make a mark.
Surprisingly nimble at 6-foot-2, he is a calm finisher in the box and thrives on runs off the shoulder of center backs. But with United strengthening their forward line by signing Benjamin Sesko, competition will be tough and the Denmark U21 international’s development hinges on first-team exposure.
Newcastle United: Park Seung-soo, 18, FW
Initially signed by Newcastle as a development player for their U21 side, Seung-soo was included on the bench for the senior team in the season-opener at Villa Park as a reward for some promising pre-season outings. The former Suwon Bluewings winger is the youngest-ever goal scorer in K League 2 and had already made 25 senior appearances before arriving at St. James’ Park, and could be an intriguing impact player off the bench. He is powerful, keen to dribble with the ball and is confident in one-vs.-one situations, while his early involvement suggests manager Eddie Howe may not wait long before testing the South Korea U20 international in the Premier League.
Nottingham Forest: Zach Abbott, 19, CB
Having joined the Forest academy at the age of 11, Abbott was given a start in the FA Cup semifinal against Manchester City last season, but was deployed at right back, and signed a new four-year contract in July. The England U19 international is an elegant player; looking calm on the ball, clean in the duels and positive in the build-up. Though the Murillo/Nikola Milenkovic center-back partnership looks hard to gatecrash, some minutes at right back or rotation involvement in the middle should be expected this season.
Sunderland: Noah Sadiki, 20, CM
Signed from Belgian side Union St.-Gilloise this summer, Sadiki represents one of the exciting acquisitions of Sunderland’s youthful recruitment drive after their promotion to the Premier League, with midfield partner Habib Diallo another player to watch.
Operating as a No. 6/No. 8 hybrid, Sadiki went straight into the team against West Ham and showed he can influence both phases of play in attack and defense. The DR Congo international’s mobility and aggression makes him a good ball-winner, while his stamina and movement help break lines when carrying the ball forward. He also has the composure in possession required to anchor the midfield, offering Sunderland balance as well as bite.
Tottenham Hotspur: Luka Vuskovic, 18, CB
Signed from Hajduk Split nearly two years ago, the Croatia center back finally arrived in North London this summer and wasted no time making an impression by scoring in a pre-season game against Reading. That shouldn’t have come as a surprise, however, as he spent last season as a regular at Westerlo in the Belgian top flight and netted a remarkable seven goals — five headers and a spectacular Richarlison-esque scissor-kick that won him goal of the season. Strong in possession, and able to make both line-breaking and long passes, he defends his box assertively and with physicality. Spurs have so far resisted any loan enquiries, though one could still materialize before the end of the month.
West Ham United: George Earthy, 20, AM
The 19-year-old midfielder spent last season on loan at Bristol City where he got three goals and one assist in 37 Championship games, while adding valuable minutes to his development. He had already made headlines in the Premier League by scoring within a few moments of coming on against Luton in the 2023-24 season, and with his contract due to expire next summer, this campaign might constitute a make-or-break season for him at West Ham. He is a fine technician, skilled at setting up combinations and making sharp movements into the box.
Wolverhampton Wanderers: Mateus Mané, 17, ST
At a club where youth development has somewhat stagnated in recent years, the 17-year-old striker offers some reason for optimism. Born in Portugal, the England U18 international made a brief Premier League debut last season and netted seven goals in the U18 Premier League. He has been lauded for his work rate, intelligent movement, aerial presence and positive attitude, which will surely be key for Wolves this season.