The upcoming Premier League season is just around the corner, set to present exciting opportunities for budding young talents across the country.
Arsenal‘s 16-year-old forward Max Dowman made quite an impression in the 2025-26 season. The question now is: Who will emerge as the next breakout star this year?
ESPN’s scout Tor Kristian-Karlsen identifies key players to watch, featuring a forward from Manchester United poised to potentially become the youngest player in the club’s history, along with a promising talent from Brighton.
ARSENAL
Marli Salmon, 16, center back
Having transitioned from a forward to a center back during his youth career, Salmon has established himself as one of Arsenal‘s most dependable young defenders. He adeptly anticipates danger, excels in aerial challenges, and is capable of advancing the ball forward, providing additional cover on the right flank. While breaking into the starting duo of Gabriel Magalhães and William Saliba is no small feat, Salmon has shown promise during preseason and could be a player to watch come cup matches or as a substitute in the Premier League.
ASTON VILLA
Brian Madjo, 17, center forward
Born in London but raised in Luxembourg, Madjo has already played three senior international matches for the European microstate before shifting his allegiance to the England youth ranks. The 6-foot-3 forward is a powerhouse, demonstrating agility in movement, a tenacious pressing style, and the ability to threaten defenses, all while developing as a target man. After being acquired from Metz for approximately £10 million in January, he netted four times during preseason and featured in the match against Bayern Munich, although first-choice striker Ollie Watkins is yet to return from his post-World Cup break.
BOURNEMOUTH
Malcolm Dacosta, 18, defensive midfielder
Dacosta, at 6-foot-3, is unusually tall for a central midfielder, yet his height doesn’t confine him to a holding role. The Ecuador youth international is known for his excellent ground coverage, competitive duels, forward dribbling skills, and capable long-range shooting. He earned the title of Bournemouth’s 2025-26 Academy Player of the Year and has been on the first-team bench multiple times. New manager Marco Rose has taken notice of him this summer, even highlighting his goal-scoring ability during Bournemouth’s 10-1 preseason triumph over Genoa.
BRENTFORD
Benjamin Fredrick, 21, center back
Fredrick is primed to make his debut with Brentford, bringing more experience than many promoted players. He participated in 15 matches while on loan at Dender in the Belgian top-flight last season and has been fast-tracked into the Nigeria squad, including five appearances in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. His speed and aggression as a defender allow him to excel as both a center back and right back, where he is robust in aerial duels and adept at defending large spaces.
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION
Zadok Yohanna, 19, attacking midfielder
Yohanna’s journey began last summer when he departed Nigeria for Sweden to join AIK, marking his first significant step abroad. He made his Allsvenskan debut in August and secured his first start shortly after. By March, he had found the back of the net for AIK, and by May, he earned his first call-up to the Nigerian national team, although he had to withdraw due to a hamstring injury.
This summer, he made a record-breaking leap as Brighton acquired him for €25 million. His acceleration and precise ball control have made him one of the most effective players in one-on-one situations in the Swedish league, with numerous matches featuring over ten successful dribbles. Even though Yohanna’s decision-making still needs refinement, his promising talent could lead to impactful contributions as early as this fall.
CHELSEA
Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli, 16, central midfielder
Originally from Sydney but raised near Chelsea‘s Cobham training ground, Nicoll-Jazuli has been with the club since he was eight years old. He made history by becoming the youngest player to start in the UEFA Youth League and also the youngest scorer for the club last season. Versatile in central midfield, he exhibits remarkable physical and mental maturity. Under the guidance of new Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso, he participated in the preseason tour of Asia and started alongside Moisés Caicedo in the 1-0 defeat against Juventus in Hong Kong.
COVENTRY CITY
Carlo Yirenkyi, 20, central midfielder
From the esteemed Right to Dream Academy in Ghana, which has produced several top-tier players including Tottenham Hotspur‘s Mohammed Kudus, Yirenkyi stands as the latest potential standout ready for the Premier League stage this season.
After two seasons with Danish club Nordsjælland, affiliated with the Ghanaian academy, Yirenkyi earned the title of the Superliga’s Young Player of the Season last year. Known for his relentless box-to-box style and tenacity as a ball-winner, he can also advance play further up the field.
Yirenkyi scored a dramatic 95th-minute winner in Ghana’s World Cup opener against Panama, securing a 1-0 victory for his team. He then joined newly promoted Coventry City in a record-breaking £23 million transfer.
CRYSTAL PALACE
Joél Drakes-Thomas, 17, attacking midfielder
Having joined Crystal Palace at the age of six, Drakes-Thomas has developed into a speedy, direct player who can function as either a right winger or an attack-minded wing-back. He excels in one-on-one challenges while maintaining a solid defensive work rate. He had an outstanding senior debut against KuPS in the Conference League last season and soon became Palace’s youngest-ever Premier League player during a match at Leeds. Drakes-Thomas was part of the U18 Premier League Cup-winning squad last year and signed his first professional contract in July.
EVERTON
Braiden Graham, 18, forward
Graham made history as the youngest player ever for his childhood club Linfield, debuting in the Irish top-flight at just 15 years old in March 2023. After moving to Everton, he has continued to develop and is poised to make his senior debut in English football this season.
He is a versatile forward with the capability to play on the left wing as well. Known for his mobility and agility, Graham possesses an impressive finishing touch. Last season, he scored 21 goals at the youth level, which earned him his first international call-up for Northern Ireland. During preseason, he has trained with the Everton first team, making it a viable goal for him to break into the senior squad this year.
FULHAM
César Palacios, 21, central midfielder
Palacios’ career has been marred by unfortunate circumstances. In his first senior game with Real Madrid — a preseason friendly against AC Milan — he suffered a torn ACL just seven minutes in. After recovering, he returned to action with the club’s B team, Castilla, where he scored an impressive 14 goals from midfield last season. Palacios is known for seamlessly timing runs into the box, and Fulham secured him for €10 million this summer, bringing him under the wing of manager Álvaro Arbeloa, who previously coached him at Castilla.
HULL CITY
Jens Hjertø-Dahl, 20, central midfielder
Jens Hjertø-Dahl draws inspiration from Barcelona great Sergio Busquets. Standing at 6-foot-4, this Norwegian midfielder has a similar playing style, though he often pushes further up the pitch in an offensive role. With a calm demeanor on the ball, he collects it well and frequently makes late runs into the box.
However, unlike Busquets, Hjertø-Dahl has a knack for scoring. He netted seven goals in just 14 league matches for his hometown team, Tromsø, last season. Hull City acquired him this summer for an estimated €9.3 million, and while they may need time to identify his best position, finding ways to integrate him into the final third will be crucial.
IPSWICH TOWN
Sindre Walle Egeli, 20, attacking midfielder
Ipswich made Walle Egeli the Championship’s record signing with a £17.5 million transfer last summer. The right winger possesses a powerful left foot, allowing him to cut in for curling shots toward the far corner and deliver in-swinging crosses and precise threaded passes.
His debut season in England resulted in modest stats, with only four goals scored in the Championship. However, a sophomore campaign in the Premier League presents him with the ideal opportunity to break out.
LEEDS UNITED
Alfie Cresswell, 19, defensive midfielder
The Cresswell family has deep ties to football, with Alfie’s brother Charlie a respected center back who came through the Leeds academy before moving to play in Ligue 1 in France. Their father, Richard, also played for Leeds as a forward from 2005 to 2007. Now, it’s Alfie’s turn to make a name for himself at the club.
Cresswell began as a center back but has transitioned into a holding midfield role, where he excels in battles and displays positional discipline. While he has improved his ball distribution, the main hurdle for him is finding playing time. Coach Daniel Farke relied heavily on senior players last season to help Leeds maintain their Premier League status. It remains to be seen whether he will give more chances to academy players like Cresswell this season.
LIVERPOOL
Trey Nyoni, 19, central midfielder
Having transitioned from Leicester City to Liverpool at the age of 16, Nyoni has spent two seasons on the periphery at Anfield, managing six Premier League appearances last season while awaiting a proper chance.
It seems Nyoni has made his case to new manager Andoni Iraola. The 19-year-old performed exceptionally during Liverpool’s preseason tour in the United States, showcasing his ability to control the game’s tempo with a diverse passing range and tactical awareness. These standout performances coincided with Argentina midfielder Alexis Mac Allister taking a break after the World Cup, prompting fans to advocate for Nyoni to partner with Gravenberch when the season begins.
MANCHESTER CITY
Jeremy Monga, 17, attacking midfielder
Monga arrives in the Premier League with a remarkable background. Just two years ago, he notched records as Leicester’s youngest starter at 16 years and 34 days and soon after broke Jude Bellingham‘s record as the youngest goalscorer in the Championship. Primarily playing from the left wing, Monga stands out due to his one-on-one capabilities, consistently targeting opposing right backs.
With a performance record that included the highest number of dribbles attempted in the Championship (6.5 per 90 minutes), Monga is now ready to step onto the Premier League stage after joining City for £10 million this summer.
MANCHESTER UNITED
J.J. Gabriel, 15, forward
Gabriel has proven his remarkable talent at youth level, scoring 23 goals in 23 U18 Premier League matches against opponents who were up to three years older. He not only won the inaugural U18 Player of the Season award but also became the youngest recipient of the Jimmy Murphy award, which honors Manchester United‘s top young talent.
Comfortable in a wing position or a false No. 9 role, Gabriel possesses exceptional acceleration, agility, balance, and a keen eye for goal. If he makes his first-team debut before October 25, he will set a new record as United’s youngest player, breaking the 70-year-old mark held by David Gaskell, who made his debut at 16 years and 19 days old during the 1956 Charity Shield.
NEWCASTLE UNITED
Sean Steur, 18, central midfielder
With Newcastle’s midfield facing significant changes after Sandro Tonali moved to Tottenham Hotspur and Bruno Guimarães transferring to Arsenal, Steur will play a vital role in the team’s revamp.
Steur made 26 appearances for Ajax last season before moving to Newcastle in a deal initially worth €27 million. He is a two-footed talent who can operate as both a defensive midfielder and in a more advanced role. With excellent first touch and passing ability, Steur must work on his positioning off the ball, but his strong preseason performances could see him become a key figure for new manager Matthias Jaissle.
NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Zach Abbott, 20, center back
Abbott’s career highlight so far includes starting in Forest’s FA Cup semifinal against Manchester City in April 2025. Last season, he made three Premier League appearances and featured in the Europa League, aiming for an even larger role in the future.
He is a composed defender with good physical attributes and an ability to read the game. Abbott feels confident stepping out from the backline when in possession. Under new manager Oliver Glasner’s preference for a back-three setup, he may find himself regularly in the starting lineup.
SUNDERLAND
Timur Tutierov, 21, attacking midfielder
Tutierov joined Sunderland from Ukrainian club Kolos Kovalivka in 2023, and he finally got his chance to shine in senior football last season. A January loan spell at Exeter City in League One saw him score three goals in 17 appearances. Known for his versatility, he can play across the attack but shines when driving at defenders or making runs behind them.
Though he was a candidate for a summer departure from Sunderland, solid preseason performances, including goals against York City and Liverpool, have secured him a new contract through 2028.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Luca Williams-Barnett, 17, attacking midfielder
Williams-Barnett has built a reputation for scoring spectacular goals at the academy level, consistently demonstrating his flair and creativity. As a two-footed No. 10 or inverted winger, he is capable of quick directional changes, possesses excellent ball-striking ability, and thrives in tight spaces. Last season, he became Spurs’ youngest player in a Carabao Cup match, impressing manager Roberto De Zerbi throughout the preseason.