20 Best Young Players in the Premier League [Ranked]

The Premier League has long been home to some of the best talents in world football. From Eric Cantona to Thierry Henry, Didier Drogba to Cristiano Ronaldo, and more recently Mohamed Salah to Erling Haaland, England’s top flight has been star-studded ever since its rebranding in 1992. That’s not to say that the division solely focuses on the biggest and brightest stars. English football has quite the track record when it comes to producing and developing some of the finest young talent in the game.

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 prodigies in the sport. Despite the money that floods into the competition every season, it hasn’t stopped clubs investing in their future. Whether that be through developing talent in their own youth system or taking a risk by bringing in unproven individuals full of potential, the Premier League remains the home of some of the next generation’s biggest names.

Here, we have taken a look at the Premier League’s best players at the age of 21 or under and whittled them down to a top 20. 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.

Ranking factors

While compiling the top 20 list, the following was taken into account:

• Appearances
• Potential
• Goals
• Assists

20Mathys Tel, Tottenham Hotspur

In January, the young and talented Mathys Tel was a wanted man. Unfancied by Vincent Kompany in Bavaria, the youngster was given the opportunity to learn new tricks elsewhere. Ruben Amorim’s Red Devils men were keen, as were Tottenham Hotspur, and it was the latter who won the tug-of-war for his services.

He’s yet to make much of a goalscoring impact for Spurs, with two goals and the solitary assist club colours at the time of writing – but, at such a young age, the raw Frenchman will need time and, should he be given such promise by the north Londoners’ powers that be, there is every chance that he could be the next up-and-coming superstar.

19Abdukodir Khusanov, Manchester City

Abdukodir Khusanov’s Manchester City started rather poorly – his debut is recognised as one of the worst in football history. Against Chelsea, the Uzbekistan international made an error leading to a goal, picked up a yellow card and was subbed in the 54th minute. Things have, however, drastically improved for the defender.

He still is young, however, and he has plenty of time to master his craft in England’s top flight. Having the chance to learn from the likes of Ruben Dias and John Stones will make him a better player moving forward – and there’s every chance that Guradiola has struck gold with the 21-year-old.

18Romeo Lavia, Chelsea

While on the books of Southampton, the ground-eating Romeo Lavia looked to be the next big thing – and he stood out in the club’s engine room thanks to his energetic displays and rangy demeanour. Since moving to west London, in the summer of 2023, that’s yet to be the case for the 21-year-old.

A once-capped Belgium international, Brussels-born Lavia is clearly a talented central midfielder – but his importance is yet to be seen in its full glory, especially as the Blues continue to add new bodies to their engine room. Time will tell whether Chelsea’s outlay will be a shrewd bit of business but if he can re-find his form from his St. Mary’s Stadium days, there is every chance that Enzo Maresca will have a world-beater on their hands.

17Andrey Santos, Chelsea

Rio de Janeiro-born Andrey Santos proved last season why he is such an exciting prospect in world football. Still just 21 years of age, his midfield talent is revered in international circles – as evidenced by his two caps for Brazil – and he should be able to prove himself in England’s top flight.

For the latter half of last term, he spent time on loan at Strasbourg and became one of Ligue 1’s best engine room destroyers in the process. Chelsea were said to be thrilled with the youngster’s development in France – but whether that translates into more minutes under Maresca will be an interesting aspect of the current campaign.

16Yankuba Minteh, Brighton & Hove Albion

Yankuba Minteh has wasted little time in showing the Premier League exactly what all the hype is about. For fairly obvious reaons, Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United 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 21-year-old tear teams apart for someone else.

Starting slowly, he’s now managed to accrue a grand total of six goals and four assists so far for the Seagulls and Minteh’s nimble footwork and electric speed have given clubs plenty of problems since he arrived on the coast. He could be the latest gem to develop where Moises Caicedo, Alexis Mac Allister and others once honed their craft.

15Jorrel Hato, Chelsea

There’s a reason that Jorrel Hato was admired by Chelsea and Arsenal before he got his move to the former, right? Born and raised in Rotterdam, the 19-year-old has emerged as one of world football’s most exciting defenders. Able to maraud up the left while remaining defensively resolute, Hato’s well-roundedness is particularly interesting.

Despite his tender age, the uncapped Dutchman was pivotal for his former club, Ajax – and that’s evidenced by the fact he played a total of 50 matches across all competitions last time out. Should be able to provide the same level of output for the Blues, they could have landed on a gold mine.

14Lucas Bergvall, Tottenham Hotspur

Alongside the likes of Archie Gray (more on him later!), Lucas Bergvall moved from Djurgarden to Tottenham Hotspur in the summer of 2024 and proved that Daniel Levy and his entourage were investing more time and money into the exuberance of youth – and he’s kickstarted his career in north London reasonably well while playing the majority of games across all competitions.

Last season, thanks to Ange Postecoglou’s options – or evident lack thereof – causing the Greek-Australian boss a myriad of problems, the young Swede was relied upon more than initially expected, but that’s not to say that he wasn’t up to the task. Instead, he’s taken it in his stride and has become a certified one to watch.

13Archie Gray, Tottenham Hotspur

A highly-rated central midfielder while on the books of boyhood club Leeds United, Archie Gray’s signature was secured as a means of adding a layer of youth to their engine room – but amid a string of injuries to central defenders, the youngster has largely played out of position.

A mature head on young shoulders, the versatile ace has – despite his age – proven his knack of leading by example and has performed relatively well out of position. It’s not unfair to say that Gray, 19, will improve in months to come when allowed to flourish in his favoured position. His leadership qualities are already seeping through and the Tottenham Hotspur faithful were impressed.

12Leny Yoro, Manchester United

The truth is, judging Leny Yoro in such a porous Manchester United backline may seem unfair, but 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 that’s part and parcel of being one of the most sought-after youngsters in world football.

However, given the fact United – who were managed by Erik ten Hag at the time – managed to beat Real Madrid and Liverpool to his signature should say a lot in itself and the rangy Frenchman impressed last season, despite a slow start. Sure, he looks exceptional, but only time will tell whether he’s his club’s answer to being the optimal replacement for Raphael Varane remains to be seen.

11Alejandro Garnacho, Manchester United

The Argentine wizard has already produced some spectacular moments in the early stages of his career: a late winner against Fulham in 2022, two goals that sparked Manchester United’s comeback against Aston Villa a year later, and, of course, the Puskas-worthy overhead kick at Goodison Park.

With stiff competition on the wing, Garnacho has often needed to be patient in his pursuit of a run of starts. Initially, his dynamic nature was a breath of fresh air during what has been a turgid time at Old Trafford, but things have turned sour, and he’s looking for an exit plan. Chelsea are interested in his signature and he’d certainly be a top, and exciting, option for a club pushing for top four credentials in the Premier League.