20 Best Young Players in the Premier League [Ranked]

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

1 Rico Lewis, Manchester City

Age: 20

We’ve seen it before, where Pep Guardiola falls in love with a new youngster and carefully guides them to hit the highest of heights. It worked out well for Phil Foden, 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 Kobbie Mainoo, Manchester United

Age: 19

The calm and composed teenage sensation tantalized Manchester United fans during the 2023 pre-season with assured displays against the likes of Arsenal. This saw Kobbie Mainoo rewarded with a start against Real Madrid. However, the 19-year-old would pick up an injury early on that ruled him out of the early stages of the campaign. Upon his return, Mainoo has been settled in the middle of the park, a much-needed presence with the likes of Casemiro and Mason Mount missing through injury. Nothing seems to faze the Englishman, who has the potential to act as the next Michael Carrick for years to come.

His sensational displays in the heart of United’s midfield earned him his first call-up to the England senior team, which he took by the scruff of the neck, becoming Declan Rice’s preferred midfield partner at Euro 2024 and proving he’s naturally more talented in that area of the pitch than Conor Gallagher and Trent Alexander-Arnold. Over the summer, many have coined England’s 2024 period as one that was epitomised by ‘Mainoo Mania’.

3 Savinho, Manchester City

Age: 20

A Manchester City summer signing in 2024, Savinho comes to the Premier League with a high ceiling, 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.

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 start to the 2024/25 season. Longevity holds him back, but if the electric wide man continues to shine, he could rise further up the rankings.

4 Malo Gusto, Chelsea

Age: 21

Following his arrival from Lyon, many thought Malo Gusto would operate as Reece James’ back-up. However, following the latter’s injury woes during the 2023/24 campaign, the young French defender was handed an opportunity to impress in the first team – and he’s taken the chance with both hands.

Arguably one of the best in his position in the league right now, the versatile defender has shown that he’s an effective player in the final third while proving to be a real asset in his own box. His stunning performances for the Blues in the 2023-24 campaign saw him earn his first international cap with his beloved France back in October.

5 Ethan Nwaneri, Arsenal

Age: 17

Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri is the youngest player on this list, but as we’ve seen with all of the above, age is no problem if you’re good enough. And the Gunners’ young star has talent in abundance. Becoming their 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.

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The teenager has already lived up the hype after netting twice on his first senior start against Bolton in the Carabao Cup.

2024/25 has seen him pick up minutes under Mikel Arteta’s tutelege, and fans have been impressed with what they’ve seen so far. He’ll have more opportunities going forward, and he showed what he’s all about with a fabulous strike in the Carabao Cup against Preston. If he can build on what he’s shown so far, Arsenal have a real gem on their hands.

6 Alejandro Garnacho, Manchester United

Age: 20

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 had to be patient in his pursuit of 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. This shouldn’t be a surprise, though, given the fact that he has learned from both Lionel Messi and Ronaldo.

7 Myles Lewis-Skelly, Arsenal

Age: 18

While Arsenal have tended to falter from an attacking sense, their defence – led by William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes – has remained relatively sturdy this season and youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly, despite his tender age compared to those in the north London dressing room, has been instrumental to that.

Defensively robust, the glittering 18-year-old is putting together a compelling case for England boss Thomas Tuchel to use him regularly in the future. Not only is he reliable from a defensive point of view but the Englishman’s threat in the final third is epitomised by his goal against Manchester City, even if the resultant celebration got fans talking.

8 Dean Huijsen, Bournemouth

Age: 19

When Juventus sold Dean Huijsen to Bournemouth in the summer of 2024, many of the Bianconeri faithful were perplexed. A lesser-known talent, the Spaniard has formed a formidable partnership with Illia Zabarnyi on the south coast and, at the time of writing, is an undroppable asset for Andoni Iraola.

His tactical intelligence is beyond his years, while his composure on the ball – combined with his sheer turn of pace – make him such a nuisance to play against. For his imposing size, Huijsen is unpredictably agile and will be turning the heads of some of Europe’s top sides, including Liverpool, with his performances this term.

9 Carlos Baleba, Brighton & Hove Albion

Age: 21

Over the years, Brighton & Hove Albion have become the leading team in terms of identifying talent and selling them on for big bucks – Moises Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister both spring to mind. Their rangy midfielder, Carlos Baleba, looks to be their next £100+ million departure following this season’s string of displays.

Seldom a goal threat, the 21-year-old’s is fondly admired for his defensive robustness with him often acting as a fulcrum ahead of the Brighton defensive line. A revelation under Fabian Hurzeler, the four-cap Cameroon international has a bright future ahead of him, regardless of whether that’s at the Amex Stadium or not.

10 Archie Gray, Tottenham Hotspur

Age: 18

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.