The Premier League has long been home to some of the best talents in world football. From Thierry Henry to Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Didier Drogba to Cristiano Ronaldo, and more recently Mohamed Salah to Erling Haaland, England’s top flight has seen some of the world’s brightest stars grace the English turf ever since its rebranding in 1992.
That being said, English football has quite the track record when it comes to producing and developing some of the finest young talent in the game, with teams like Manchester United, Arsenal, and West Ham United have all, in different stages of their history, been home to some of the most promising talents in the sport.
In this article, we take a look at the Premier League’s best players aged 20 or under and narrow them down to the top 10 across the league. We have taken into account what they have achieved in their short careers so far, the potential they have, and the opportunities they have at their current clubs to develop.
#10 Ethan Nwaneri | England | Arsenal
After becoming the youngest ever debutant by coming on as a raw 15-year-old against Brentford back in 2022, Nwaneri has had to hone his craft over the years, patiently waiting for an opportunity to make a more consistent impact in the first team. The 2024/25 season has resulted in him picking up minutes as a substitute under Mikel Arteta’s tutelage, and fans have been impressed with what they’ve seen so far.
A standout attribute of Nwaneri’s game is his composure on the ball. Even in high-pressure situations, he maintains calmness, often making decisive plays that break through defensive lines. His quick footwork and agility make him difficult to mark, especially when he cuts in from wide positions.
He’ll have more opportunities in the cup competitions, as he showed what he’s all about with a brace in the Carabao Cup tie against Preston. If he can build on what he’s shown so far, Arsenal have a real gem on their hands.
#9 Adam Wharton | England | Crystal Palace
The arrival of the 20-year-old Adam Wharton in January 2024 from Championship club Blackburn Rovers has since allowed the Eagles to spread their wings again.
The line-breaking, all-action defensive midfielder’s main strengths are his; Vision, ball carrying, work rate, defensive aggression and IQ. He likes to pick the ball up from the backline and his excellent ball carrying and vision allows him to break the pressing lines with his drives forward and his pinpoint passes.
As a midfielder, he possesses the ability to dictate the flow of the game, make accurate passes, and create scoring opportunities for his team, with his box-to-box energy seeing him develop into a natural teacher’s pet. Moreover, it is his intelligence on the pitch that stands him out from the rest. The 20-year-old always seems to know the right pass to make, the right position to be in and it is shaping him up to be a fantastic leader in the future.
#8 Yankuba Minteh | Gambia | Brighton & Hove Albion
Yankuba Minteh has wasted little time in showing the Premier League exactly what all the hype is about. Newcastle really didn’t want to let their talented youngster go, but were forced to sell him to Brighton to comply with the league’s profit and sustainability rules. And the Magpies are now watching the 20-year-old tear teams apart for someone else.
Due to his position as a right-winger, Minteh looks to stand up defenders and bring the ball onto his favoured left foot to produce a shot or create a chance for his teammates. He is an adept dribbler, though, meaning he can also take defenders down the line with his right foot using his blistering pace.
While he’s only managed a solitary goal and an assist so far for the Seagulls, Minteh’s nimble footwork and electric speed has given clubs plenty of problems so far. He could be the latest gem to develop where Moises Caicedo, Alexis Mac Allister and others once honed their craft.
#7 Jhon Durán | Colombia | Aston Villa
A few eyebrows were raised when Chelsea and West Ham made approaches for Jhon Durán during the 2024 summer transfer window, considering he had not set Villa Park alight just yet. But since the start of the 2024/25 season, the Colombian has been as in form as they come.
Durán combines impressive physical strength with notable pace, making him formidable in the attacking third. His speed allows him to outrun defenders, while his strength helps him hold up play effectively. Durán’s strength stands out here, causing nightmares for PL quality centrebacks with his hold-up play and jostling on the run.
Regularly brought off the bench for Ollie Watkins whenever he tires or if Villa need a goal, Durán has come up with the goods whenever he’s been asked. Be it screamers against Bayern Munich in the Champions League or late winners against West Ham, interest in him is only likely to sky rocket, especially if Unai Emery can’t find room for him in the starting XI.
#6 Leny Yoro | France | Manchester United
Evidently, the 6’3”, 18-year-old centre-back is a highly reliable defender. Given the fact United beat Real Madrid and Liverpool to his signature should say a lot in itself. However, judging Leny Yoro before he’s had a consistent run of competitive appearances for Man United is difficult.
A lot has been made of the fact he’s now the most expensive teenager in Premier League history and, with that, comes the burden of expectation. But when comparing his stats from last season, they stand in line – comparable – to some of the very best England’s topflight has to offer, but for now, comparisons will have to wait. Sure, he looks exceptional and the next big thing for France, but only time will tell whether he’s his club’s answer to the Virgil Van Dijk/William Saliba debate.
#5 Evan Ferguson | Ireland | Brighton & Hove Albion
It’s hard to believe that the Republic of Ireland goalscoring sensation, Evan Ferguson, is only 20 years old. After battling with injuries under Roberto De Zerbi, Evan Ferguson will hope for a fresh start under new Brighton manager Fabian Hürzeler.
Since announcing himself onto the global stage after scoring a hat-trick against Newcastle United last season, the Ireland centre-forward has struggled for both form and consistency, moreover, his un-timely injuries haven’t helped the cause either.
Ferguson, who was tipped for a move away this summer, will hope that the 2024/25 season is the point at which he goes from a young Premier League prospect with potential, to an established 20-goal-a-season striker.
#4 Alejandro Garnacho | Argentina | Manchester United
The Argentine winger has already produced some spectacular moments in the early stages of his career. Considering his age, physicality and game sense along with his application and attitude, it’s fair to say that Alejandro Garnacho is an extremely promising and fundamental part of the future at Old Trafford.
With stiff competition on the wing, Garnacho has had to be patient in his pursuit for a run of starts. A couple of underwhelming games, and he may be at risk of losing his place in the team for a period. However, that hasn’t happened yet, and his dynamic nature is undeniably exciting and a breath of fresh air during what is a turgid time at Old Trafford.
He has already received a maiden Argentina call-up and impressed in his debut campaign for Manchester United, and at 18 years of age. This shouldn’t be a surprise, though, given the fact that he has learned from both Lionel Messi and Ronaldo.
#3 Rico Lewis | England | Manchester City
There’s enough evidence to suggest that when Pep Guardiola falls in love with a new youngster and he makes sure he carefully guides them to hit the highest of heights. It worked out well for the likes of Phil Foden, and Joshua Kimmich; and there’s little to no doubt that it will work out for Rico Lewis.
Despite being a member of a packed Manchester City squad, the teenager has become a fairly frequent appearance maker since stepping into the first team. He has taken advantage of the fact that he is perhaps at his strongest on the left side of defence, an area that seems to be City’s weakest, but he has filled in on the right and in the engine room too.
His performances have seen him make his England debut, and with fitness concerns always surrounding Luke Shaw and Ben Chilwell, along with no real young option besides him, he could well find himself a constant under Thomas Tuchel if he continues his development.
#2 Savinho | Brazil | Manchester City
A Manchester City summer signing in 2024, Savinho comes to the Premier League with high expectations on his shoulders, having scored nine goals and provided 10 assists on loan at Girona last season to help them qualify for the Champions League for the first time in the club’s 96-year history, finishing behind only Barcelona and Real Madrid in La Liga.
However, what makes Savinho so special is not just his affiliation or his physical skills but the level of maturity and awareness exhibited by him at such a young age. He has a natural talent for understanding the game. He can expect passes and find open spaces with great skill. His choices when near the goal, whether making a perfect cross or cutting into a shot, shows he is a player full of confidence and creativity.
There were questions about whether he could replicate those performances in the Premier League, but the Brazilian winger has answered those doubts emphatically, becoming a key presence in City’s starting lineup since the start to the 2024/25 season. Longevity holds him back, but if the electric wide man continues to shine, he could rise to the top soon.
#1 Kobbie Mainoo | England | Manchester United
Nicknamed the ‘Stockport Seedorf’, England rarely produce such complete midfielders. Kobbie Mainoo is a player beyond his years, and at 19 years old, he has already become a regular starter in Manchester United’s first XI.
Brilliant in the challenge, exceptional with the ball at his feet and capable of a worldie, there is simply nothing this young man can’t do on a football pitch. Mainoo possesses excellent ball carrying abilities, allowing him to control the game from the middle of the park.
He is a technical player which enables him to navigate through tight spaces and create scoring opportunities for his team. Despite his young age, United rely on Mainoo’s vision on the field and his decision-making ability to dictate the flow of the game.
Despite having already scored the winner in an FA Cup final for Manchester United, it feels like it’s just the beginning for Kobbie Mainoo, someone who looks destined to achieve great things in his career.
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