{"id":1393563,"date":"2025-08-08T14:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-08-08T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?post_type=features&p=1393563"},"modified":"2025-10-15T13:10:17","modified_gmt":"2025-10-15T12:10:17","slug":"2025-26-premier-league-under-21-breakout-stars-per-club","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/2025-26-premier-league-under-21-breakout-stars-per-club\/","title":{"rendered":"One U21 player from every club that could have a Premier League\u00a0breakout\u00a0season in 2025-26"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The 2025-26 Premier League<\/a> season is almost here.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To build up to the opening weekend, we’ve taken a look at one youngster from every club who could be set to announce themselves this season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arsenal \u2013 Max Dowman<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It’s a matter of when, not if, Max Dowman will break onto the Premier League scene. Although this season might be come too early for him, a scintillating pre-season display against Newcastle United<\/a> has alerted the wider football world to the supreme talent this young man possesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An attacking midfielder with great vision and skill in abundance, Dowman has scored 11 times in 16 appearances for England U17s — despite being just 15 years of age. Dowman has already become the youngest ever player to appear in Premier League 2 and he could follow in the footsteps of Ethan Nwaneri, the youngest ever Premier League debutant, by featuring for Arsenal<\/a> this season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aston Villa \u2013 Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Attacking midfielder Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba made the switch to Aston Villa<\/a> from West Bromwich Albion in 2023 for a fee believed to be around the \u00a31million mark. He was a key part of the Villa U18 team that were crowned 2024-25 FA Youth Cup champions, scoring in the 3-1 win over Manchester City<\/a> in the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of that squad, only a handful have been handed serious pre-season minutes this summer. But Jimoh-Aloba started in the friendlies with Walsall and Hansa Rostock. He can carry the ball well, is mature in possession and can slot in on either wing as well as in the No.10 role. So he could be seen as a dependable, versatile bench option for Unai Emery at times this term, particularly in the Europa League.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bournemouth \u2013 Julio Soler<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Bournemouth<\/a> will have a new-look defence heading into the 2024-25 campaign following the departures of Milos Kerkez and Dean Huijsen. But young Argentinian left-back Julio Soler will be hoping to fill Kerkez’s left-back berth despite the arrival of Adrien Truffert from Rennes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Soler was a starter for Argentina at the Olympics last summer and brings some experience having made 46 Primera Division appearances for former club Lanus. He showed a combination of technical ability and defensive stability within that period so could prove to be the perfect Kerkez replacement if he manages to oust Truffert.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brentford \u2013 Antoni Milambo<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Few players on this list will be expected to shoulder as much responsibility as Antoni Milambo at Brentford<\/a> this season. While record arrival Igor Thiago will be seen as the natural Bryan Mbeumo replacement, Milambo arrives for a signicant \u00a320m fee with 40 Eredivisie appearances to his name at the age of 20.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Rotterdam-born youngster became Feyenoord’s youngest ever player when he appeared in a Conference League game back in 2020. Since then he’s shown flashes of his significant potential as an intelligent, powerful attacking midfielder. He’s by no means an Mbeumo replacement, but Milambo will be expected to contribute as the Bees begin the post-Thomas Frank era in 2025-26.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brighton \u2013 Tom Watson<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Tom Watson announced himself to the football world by scoring a stunning winning goal in the Championship play-off final for Sunderland<\/a> last season. But that strike was destined to be his parting gift to the Black Cats faithful as he had already secured a \u00a310m move to Brighton & Hove Albion<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A physically capable wide player, Watson made 22 appearances for Sunderland last season and impressed with his ball-carrying as well as his defensive contributions. He managed 1.5 tackles per 90 minutes across those appearances. \u00a310m is a not insignificant fee, so the 19-year-old may get opportunities to showcase his talents at the Amex Stadium this term.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Burnley \u2013 Oluwaseun Adewumi<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

New arrivals Lesley Ugochukwu and Loum Tchaouna — both 21 — are likely to be the most youthful first-team regulars for Burnley<\/a> this season. But of the pre-existing crop of youngsters at Turf Moor, Oluwaseun Adewumi is perhaps the most likely to get some minutes in this campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An attacking midfielder with an eye for goal, Adewumi enjoyed a very successful loan spell with Dundee last term, winning the Scottish club’s Young Player of the Season and he does have experience playing in the second division in Austria. In truth, however, the big-money new signings are likely to block his path to the first team as Scott Parker is more likely to fall back on experience in what could be a tough campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chelsea \u2013 Estevao<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps the most well-known name on this list, Estevao arrives in the Premier League with more expectation than the majority of U21 players in the Premier League this term. And while minutes may be hard to come by in a stacked Chelsea<\/a> squad, the 18-year-old has already proved himself to be a supreme talent. He ranked top in Brazil’s Serie A for shots on target, big chances created, take-ons attempted and open-play assists in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At just 18, the precocious winger has already racked up 27 career goals from his 83 appearances with Brazilian giants Palmeiras (winning the Serie A title in 2023). He’s also collected five caps for Brazil, drawing comparisons to the Selecao<\/em>‘s favourite son of recent years, Neymar. He certainly has the supreme technique and composure required to be an instant hit at Premier League level.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Crystal Palace \u2013 Romain Esse<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Romain Esse enjoyed something of a ‘breakthrough’ towards the end of last season, scoring once in seven Premier League appearances following his January arrival from Millwall. But Esse will be hoping to feature on a more regular basis for Crystal Palace<\/a> this season. Especially as they look to balance European football with the unforgiving nature of the Premier League schedule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Esse scored with his first touch for Palace in a defeat to Brentford last season and brings with him an electric, direct style of play that the Selhurst Park faithful have become accustomed to from their attackers in recent seasons. If Eberechi Eze is to move on in this transfer window, Esse may prove to be his replacement in-waiting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Everton \u2013 Adam Aznou<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Everton<\/a> fans are hoping that in the shape of 19-year-old left-back Adam Aznou, they have a first-team player ready and waiting following Ashley Young’s departure from the club this summer. Having already been capped by Morocco, the athletic Aznou came through the ranks at Bayern Munich and played two Bundesliga games for the Bavarian giants as well as 13 La Liga matches on loan at Real Valladolid last season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During that spell at Estadio Jose Zorilla, Aznou averaged 14.2 forward passes, 2.9 tackles, and 2 completed take-ons per 90, while enjoying an aerial duel success rate of 68.75%. A more modern, attack-minded full-back, he will expect to displace the more defensively disciplined Vitalii Mykolenko, if not in 2025-26 then in the following campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fulham \u2013 Josh King<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

An England U19 international, Josh King has already made eight appearances in the Premier League for Fulham<\/a>, making his debut in December 2024, a month before his 18th birthday. But given that this midfielder plays with an elegancy and calmness beyond his years, it’s not difficult to see why Marco Silva is already trusting him as part of his first-team squad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Comfortable either as a deeper-lying central midfielder or in a more advanced role, King’s ball-playing ability and tactical awareness make him the kind of player who needs less time to develop before being ready for first-team minutes. And he appears to have the focus and confidence to slot into the high-pressure environment of the Premier League with relative ease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leeds \u2013 Harry Gray<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While 21-year-olds Wilfried Gnonto and Mateo Joseph are already established first-team players, newly-promoted Leeds United<\/a> are unlikely to give too many minutes to their young academy graduates this season. That said, if anyone from the youth set-up is given a chance this season, it could well be 16-year-old forward Harry Gray – younger brother of Tottenham Hotspur<\/a> midfielder Archie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gray comes from a family intrinsically linked to Leeds and he’s already become the latest member to feature for the Whites’ first team, coming off the bench in a 6-0 win over Stoke in the Championship last season. An instinctive finisher known for his intelligent movement, Gray has appeared off the bench in his side’s pre-season draws with Manchester United<\/a> and Villarreal this summer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Liverpool \u2013 Rio Ngumoha<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The 2025-26 season may come slightly too early for Rio Ngumoha, who doesn’t turn 17 until 29th August. However, any fan who has caught the young forward’s performances in Liverpool<\/a>‘s pre-season, understands why there’s so much excitement surrounding him right now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ngumoha became Liverpool’s youngest ever starter in the Reds’ FA Cup win over Accrington Stanley last season. And he’s already shown the kind of creativity and confidence required to slot straight into this Liverpool team. His sublime finish in the friendly win over Athletic Bilbao, plus a further goal and two assists in the tour of Asia in pre-season, point to a player who is about to announce himself to the football world in spectacular fashion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Man City \u2013 Sverre Nypan<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Man City have had some success in signing a Norwegian player in recent years. It would be asking a lot for new signing Sverre Nypan to emulate his countryman Erling Haaland at the Etihad Stadium. But the 18-year-old midfielder arrives with a budding reputation after making 62 appearances and scoring 14 goals for Rosenborg in the Eliteserien.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nypan has already shown that he has the kind of ultra-calm presence and superior technical ability required to play in a Man City midfield. And while he isn’t quite at the level to immediately succeed Kevin De Bruyne in Pep Guardiola’s team, Nypan could be afforded a handful of minutes this term as back up to the likes of Nico Gonzalez and Tijjani Reijnders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Man Utd \u2013 Chido Obi<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One of the most prolific forwards in youth football in recent years, Chido Obi’s move from Arsenal to Man Utd in 2024 certainly raised eyebrows. The Danish youth international’s development does not appear to have slowed down at Old Trafford. He hit a hat-trick on his U18s debut for the club against Nottingham Forest and became the youngest ever starter for the first team in the 4-3 defeat to Brentford at the end of last season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Still just 17, Obi has already made eight first-team appearances for the Red Devils. And while he’s yet to get off the mark, if his record at youth level is anything to go by it’s simply a matter of time. At 6’2″, Obi offers a physical presence and could quickly become the kind of focal point required to play as the central striker in Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Newcastle \u2013 Sean Neave<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At just 18, Sean Neave is not likely to be the ready-made replacement for Alexander Isak at the heart of the Newcastle attack just yet. But he certainly has a growing reputation at youth level as well as a terrific goalscoring record. So he could well be considered to be an option for Eddie Howe at times this season in the Premier League.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At 6’1″, Neave has the height but perhaps not yet the full physical profile required of a Premier League footballer. This is perhaps why he’s been left as an unused substitute on the handful of occasions he’s been named in the first-team squad for the Magpies so far. However, 12 goals in 12 appearances for England’s youth teams signpost an encouraging future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nottingham Forest \u2013 Zach Abbott<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Few players can claim to have played in an FA Cup semi-final before making their Premier League debut. But that’s exactly what Nottingham Forest<\/a>‘s Zach Abbott did last season when he started at right-back in the 2-0 defeat to Man City at Wembley, a sign of just how much trust the club are willing to put in their young defensive starlet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Captain of England U19s, Abbott signed a new four year deal at the City Ground this summer and is a centre-back by trade who is equally capable at full-back. With excellent awareness and instinctive defensive capabilities, Abbott is mature beyond his years and well placed to gain first-team minutes this season as Forest look for balance in a packed schedule as they return to European football.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sunderland \u2013 Chris Rigg<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Chris Rigg’s breakthrough at Sunderland has already come, but this will be the young attacking midfielder’s first season in the Premier League. He’ll be keen to expand on his already growing reputation with his boyhood club having already made 63 league appearances despite only turning 18 in June.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An England youth international at every level from U15 up to U19s, Rigg is a versatile forward player with elite technical ability averaging 1.3 chances created per 90 in the Championship last season, drawing comparisons to Man City’s Jack Grealish. But it’s his workrate out of possession that has won him plaudits from his teammates and coaches, combining on the ball brilliance with effective pressing and defensive contributions.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Tottenham \u2013 Luka Vuskovic<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Luka Vuskovic will have some job on his hands to displace Cristian Romero or Micky van de Ven from the Tottenham back four. But both of those players have been known to miss matches through injuries and suspension. And if the 18-year-old’s pre-season performances are anything to go by, he could well be ready to step up to the plate when required this season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Already a Croatian international, Vuskovic has gained plaudits for performances with Hajduk Split, Radomiak Radom and Westerlo already in his short career (scoring 10 goals across 58 appearances from centre back). And he has the physical profile to not be daunted by the task of stepping up to Premier League level despite his tender age.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

West Ham \u2013 El Hadji Malick Diouf<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

West Ham United<\/a> have the luxury of possessing two talented young left-backs going into the 2025-26 season, with new signing El Hadji Malick Diouf expected to compete for minutes with academy graduate Ollie Scarles. But Diouf comes with more first-team experience from his spells with Tromso and Slavia Prague and a price tag of \u00a319m to boot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At just 20 years old, Diouf has 11 goals in 71 career appearances and one Czech title to his name and fans got an entertaining glimpse into what their new man can offer in his outstanding performance in Senegal’s friendly win over England earlier this year. With a deadly cross and the ability to carry the ball from deep, he’ll offer a genuine attacking threat as well as a defensive tenacity to the Hammers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wolves \u2013 Mateus Mane<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Vitor Pereira has shown a desire to give chances to young players earlier in his career, but those chances were limited last season with Wolverhampton Wanderers<\/a> in desperate need of points. While the likes of Pedro Lima and Nathan Fraser look set to spend time away from the club on loan, one young man who was included in a handful of matchday squads last season was striker Mateus Mane.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Portuguese-born Mane made his first-team debut in the defeat to Brighton in May and is an energetic, powerful forward who can bring others into play. He featured seven times for England U18s last season and seems better placed to enjoy some inclusion within the first-team picture this season than some of his younger team-mates.<\/p>\n\n\n

Read more:<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n