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News
- 35 minutes ago
10 Premier League wonderkids to watch this season
Cameron Smith
- Updated: 14 Aug 2025 15:39 BST
- 6 min read
Analysis
The 2025-26 Premier League season is right around the corner and several young players are expected to enjoy breakout campaigns this year.
Top English clubs have once again splashed the cash in the transfer market this summer, but a number of teenagers could still burst onto the scene throughout the course of the campaign.
Below, FootballTransfers runs through 10 Premier League wonderkids to watch this season.
Josh Acheampong (Chelsea)
Josh Acheampong made 14 first-team appearances for Chelsea last campaign and he is now an established member of Enzo Maresca’s senior squad at Stamford Bridge.
His pathway to regular minutes at right-back is admittedly blocked by Reece James and Malo Gusto, but Levi Colwill’s ACL injury could open up the possibility for Acheampong to receive significant game time as a central defender this term.
Maresca is a known admirer of the 19-year-old and he could be set for an improved role at Stamford Bridge this year.
Current ETV
Josh Acheampong
D (R)
Chelsea
Josh Acheampong
D (R)
Chelsea
ETV Range
€14M - €17.1M
Josh King (Fulham)
Back-up goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte is the only player Fulham have signed so far this summer and this lack of activity could hand a chance to 18-year-old academy star Josh King.
The teenager played 11 times for Marco Silva’s side throughout the course of last campaign and he started all three of their friendlies during pre-season.
King is therefore a strong contender to play a significant role at Craven Cottage in 2025-26 and the midfielder could be set for a breakout year.
Max Dowman (Arsenal)
Max Dowman is now eligible to play for Arsenal’s first-team and although he is still just 15 years old, he has been tipped to receive minutes in the senior squad this season.
The England youth international impressed during several cameo appearances in pre-season and although he won’t be a regular by any means, he is likely to become one of the youngest ever Premier League players this term.
Dowman is capable of playing as an attacking midfielder or as a right winger, and he could enjoy an eye-catching year at the Emirates Stadium.
Ayden Heaven (Man Utd)
Ayden Heaven made the decision to leave Arsenal for Manchester United in January and he likely would’ve made more than his six appearances during the back-end of last season if it weren’t for a foot injury.
He is now back to full fitness and although there is significant competition for places at Old Trafford, Heaven is likely to play a substantial amount of Premier League games this campaign.
The 18-year-old is perfect for Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-3 system and he could well usurp both Luke Shaw and Lisandro Martinez as the favoured left-sided central defender.
Estevao Willian (Chelsea)
Estevao Willian is expected to play a major role during his debut campaign at Chelsea and if pre-season is anything to go by, he could be in for an excellent year.
The 18-year-old established himself as one of the world’s most promising youngsters at Palmeiras and while he’ll need an adaptation period to life in England, he is likely to start a hatful of Premier League games this season.
His on-pitch relationship with Cole Palmer is already strong and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he’s Chelsea preferred right winger by the end of the campaign.
Triston Rowe (Aston Villa)
Aston Villa’s academy has always been strong and Triston Rowe could be the latest wonderkid to break into the club’s senior team.
The 18-year-old started Villa’s final pre-season fixture against Villarreal and he will compete with Matty Cash for a starting berth at right-back this term.
Rowe may not be a regular from the off, however he could well establish himself as a legitimate option for Unai Emery throughout the season.
Charalampos Kostoulas (Brighton)
Brighton spent a whopping €35 million to bring Charalampos Kostoulas to the south coast this summer, with the Greece U21 international becoming their second-most expensive signing of all time in the process.
Current ETV
Charalampos Kostoulas
F, M (C)
Olympiakos
Charalampos Kostoulas
F, M (C)
Olympiakos
ETV Range
€18.5M - €22.6M
Danny Welbeck is expected to start the season as Fabian Hurzeler’s preferred striker, but Kostoulas will challenge the veteran for a starting berth once he is settled at the AMEX Stadium.
The 18-year-old scored six goals in 21 league games for Olympiacos last season.
Chris Rigg (Sunderland)
Chris Rigg made 47 first-team appearances for Sunderland last season, scoring four goals, and he played a key part in their promotion via the Play-Offs.
The 18-year-old has been heavily linked with some of Europe’s biggest clubs over the past 12 months, however he has remained at the Stadium of Light ahead of their first Premier League season since 2016-17.
Sunderland’s summer business means that Rigg may play a slightly less significant role this season, but the teenager is still regarded as one of the top prospects in English football and his development in the Premier League should be exciting to watch.
Rio Ngumoha (Liverpool)
Liverpool have splashed over €290m on new signings so far this summer, yet teenage wonderkid Rio Ngumoha was arguably their most eye-catching performer during pre-season.
The 16-year-old scored two goals and provided two assists in four matches, and he firmly established himself as a credible back-up option to Cody Gakpo in the process.
The teenager arrived at Liverpool from Chelsea’s academy last year and although he is unlikely to become a regular at Anfield this season, he could be rewarded with substitute minutes in the Premier League. If so, watch out for his incredibly quick feet and dribbling prowess.
Eli Junior Kroupi (Bournemouth)
Eli Junior Kroupi joined Bournemouth during the January transfer window, after Andoni Iraola’s side beat Chelsea to his signature, before returning to Lorient on loan until the end of the season.
In total, the 19-year-old scored 22 goals in 30 Ligue 2 appearances last term as he helped Lorient win the title in the second-tier of French football.
As the club’s most expensive signing ever, Evanilson is still expected to keep his place as Bournemouth’s striker this campaign, but Kroupi may be in for a big season.
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