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, the English topflight has seen some of the world’s brightest stars grace its turf ever since its re-branding in 1992.
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 having been home to some of the most promising talents in the sport.
In this article, we take a look at the Premier League’s current ten best players aged 20 or under. We have taken into account what they have achieved in their respective careers so far, the potential they have, and the opportunities they have at their current clubs to develop.
#10 Ethan Nwaneri | England | Arsenal FC
After becoming Arsenal’s youngest-ever debutant by coming on as a 15-year-old against Brentford in 2022, Nwaneri has had to hone his craft and wait patiently 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.
Nwaneri will have more opportunities in the cup competitions in the coming months, as he showed what he’s all about with a brace in the Carabao Cup against Preston North End recently. 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 FC
Adam Wharton’s arrival at Palace in January 2024 from Championship side Blackburn Rovers has 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 intelligence. The England international likes to pick the ball up from the backline, and his excellent ball carrying and vision allow him to break the pressing lines with his drives forward and his pinpoint passes.
As a midfielder, Wharton possesses the ability to dictate the flow of the game, make accurate passes, and create scoring opportunities for his team. His box-to-box energy has already seen him develop into a natural teacher’s pet under multiple coaches. 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 and the right position to be in, all of which is shaping him up to be a fantastic leader in the future.
#8 Yankuba Minteh | Gambia | Brighton & Hove Albion FC
Yankuba Minteh has wasted little time in showing the Premier League exactly what all the hype surrounding him has been about. Newcastle United really didn’t want to let their talented youngster go but were forced to sell him to comply with the league’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
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, 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 have already given opposition teams plenty of problems so far. The Gambia international could be the latest gem to develop at the place where the likes of Moisés Caicedo, Alexis Mac Allister, and many others once honed their craft.
#7 Jhon Durán | Colombia | Aston Villa FC
A few eyebrows were raised when Chelsea and West Ham United made approaches for Jhon Durán during the summer transfer window earlier in the year considering he had not exactly set Villa Park alight by that point. But since the start of the 2024/25 season, the Colombia international has firmly put those eyebrows back in their place.
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 and give nightmares to quality centre-backs.
Regularly brought off the bench, often for Ollie Watkins, 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 in the Premier League, the 20-year-old is going to see interest in him only skyrocket, especially if Unai Emery can’t find room for him in the starting XI.
#6 Leny Yoro | France | Manchester United FC
Evidently, the 6’3”, 18-year-old centre-back is a highly reliable defender. Given the fact Man 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 United is difficult.
A lot has been made about the fact the Frenchman is now the most expensive teenager in Premier League history, with which naturally comes the burden of expectation. But when one looks at his stats from last season, they stand in line comparably to some of the very best England’s topflight has to offer.
For now, any further comparisons will have to wait. Sure, he looks exceptional and the next big thing for France, but only time will tell whether Yoro is his team’s answer to their long-term defensive issues.
Also read: Top 10 football wonderkids in 2024
#5 Evan Ferguson | Republic of Ireland | Brighton & Hove Albion FC
It’s hard to believe that this Irish goalscoring sensation is still just 20 years old. After battling with injuries under Roberto de Zerbi, Ferguson will hope for a fresh start under new Brighton boss, Fabian Hürzeler.
Since announcing himself onto the global stage by scoring a hattrick against Newcastle United last season, Ferguson has struggled for both form and consistency. Injuries haven’t helped him either.
After being linked with a move away all summer, Ferguson will hope that the this season proves to be the point at which he goes from a promising young prospect to an established 20-goal-a-season striker.
#4 Alejandro Garnacho | Argentina | Manchester United FC
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 Alejandro Garnacho is an extremely promising player and a 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 horrid time for the Red Devils.
Garnacho has already received a senior call-up from Argentina and impressed in his full debut campaign for Manchester United. His potential shouldn’t be a surprise, though, given he has learned from both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
#3 Rico Lewis | England | Manchester City FC
There’s enough evidence to suggest that when Pep Guardiola falls in love with a player, he makes sure he carefully guides him to hit the highest of heights. It worked out well for the likes of Phil Foden and Joshua Kimmich, so there’s little to no doubt that it will work out for Rico Lewis.
Despite being a member of a packed Man City squad, the 20-year-old has become a fairly frequent presence for the Cityzens 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 the defence, an area that seems to be City’s weakest, but he has filled in on the right and in the central engine room as well.
Lewis’s performances have seen him make his senior England debut, and with fitness concerns always surrounding Luke Shaw and Ben Chilwell, he could very well find himself as a constant pick under Thomas Tuchel if he continues his development at the current rate.
#2 Savinho | Brazil | Manchester City FC
Signed by Man City in the summer, Savinho has come to the Premier League with high expectations on his shoulders, having scored nine goals and provided ten assists on loan at Girona last season to help them qualify for the Champions League for the first time in their 96-year history while finishing behind only Barcelona and Real Madrid in LaLiga.
What makes Savinho special is not just his physical skills but the level of maturity and awareness he exhibits at such a young age. He has a natural talent for understanding the game to expect passes and find open spaces with great skill. His decision-making near the goal—whether for a cross or a shot—shows he is a player full of confidence and creativity.
There were questions about whether Savinho could replicate his LaLiga performances in the Premier League, but the Brazilian winger has answered those doubts emphatically by becoming a key presence in City’s starting lineup since the start of the season.
#1 Kobbie Mainoo | England | Manchester United FC
Nicknamed the “Stockport Seedorf“, England rarely produce midfielders as complete as Mainoo promises to be. Brilliant in challenges, exceptional with the ball at his feet, and capable of a “worldie” every now and then, there is simply nothing this young man can’t do on a football pitch.
Mainoo possesses excellent ball-carrying abilities, which allow him to control the game from the middle of the park. He is a technical player that can navigate through tight spaces and create scoring opportunities for his team. Despite his young age, Mainoo’s vision on the field and his decision-making to dictate the flow of the game is something Man United are already quite reliant on.
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, as he is someone who looks destined to achieve great things in his career.
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