2025-26: The best 10 best teenagers in the Premier League ranked
The new Premier League season is nearly here and there are 10 exciting teenagers ready to make their mark on the campaign.
The 2024/25 season saw another wave of talented youngsters step up for their respective clubs and after 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha showcased his talent to Liverpool supporters this pre-season there is set to be more incoming.
The 2025/26 campaign gets underway at Anfield, and the Premier League champions Liverpool set to start the defence of their crown against Bournemouth.
Ranked below are the best 10 teenagers to keep an eye on during the season.
10 – Vitor Reis (Man City)
Vitor Reis was signed by Manchester City in January for nearly £30million and this could be a breakthrough season for the 19-year-old.
City’s defence is still stacked with quality, and Ruben Dias has just signed a new contract, but Reis’ time at Palmeiras showed he is flexible at full-back or centre-back and is comfortable in possession.
Midfielder Rodri coming back to fitness could also have an effect, with Pep Guardiola perhaps more likely to give Reis an opportunity to showcase his talent with the Spaniard protecting the back four.
9 – Chris Rigg (Sunderland)
Chris Rigg shined as Sunderland, through the play-offs, claimed a place back in the Premier League after eight years away.
The 18-year-old was named the Championship’s Apprentice of the Season in his breakthrough campaign at the Stadium of the Light.
Left-footed, Rigg was not only dynamic and a threat going forward from midfield, but also tenacious and a hard-working contributor out of possession.
Everton and West are both exploring a move for Rigg, with Sunderland potentially allowing the academy graduate to depart the Stadium of Light.
8 – Max Dowman (Arsenal)
The star of Arsenal’s pre-season tour, Max Dowman hasn’t even been allowed to make his Premier League debut yet and the 15-year-old is already being touted as the future of the club.
Dowman came on to great effect against Newcastle in pre-season, winning a penalty off Joelinton after a strong forward run into the penalty area.
A graduate of Arsenal’s Hale End academy, Dowman will be able to feature in Premier League matches this season, adding further depth to Mikel Arteta’s options.
Domwan’s record at Under-18 Premier League level shows he deserves an opportunity to showcase his talent in the first team.
| Apperances | 22 |
| Goals | 17 |
| Assists | 10 |
7 – Rio Ngumoha (Liverpool)
Another player who has taken their opportunity in pre-season, Ngumoha has excited Liverpool fans with his performances.
The 16-year-old scored a wonderful solo goal against Athletic Bilbao, which has gotten supporters to sit up and take notice of the forward.
With Luis Diaz freeing up a space on the left flank, some fans believe Ngumoha should receive minutes next season.
Ngumoha has already made his full debut for the club, in the FA Cup against Accrington Stanley, becoming the youngest player to play in the competition for Liverpool.
6 – Leny Yoro (Man United)
Leny Yoro will be hoping to stay injury free to be able to showcase his defensive qualities next season.
Yoro’s performance against Everton in the Premier League summer series caught the eye of Man United supporters, with the Frenchman particularly strong in his duels.
The 19-year-old was signed under former Man United boss Erik ten Hag, but he did not make his debut under the Dutchman after suffering a foot injury last July.
Now the Red Devils are under the management of Ruben Amorim and Yoro is fighting to ensure he starts the Premier League opener against Arsenal.
5 – Marc Guiu (Chelsea)
Marc Guiu joined Chelsea from Barcelona last summer after coming through the ranks of Spanish club, including making his Champions League debut and scoring in the competition.
The 19-year-old has to showcase his goalscoring talent in the Europa Conference League at Stamford Bridge, when he hit a hat-trick against Shamrock Rovers.
Sunderland look set to take Guiu on a loan deal for the new campaign, where he will get regular minutes at the Stadium of Light, in a move which could boost his future prospects at Chelsea.
4 – Archie Gray (Tottenham)
Archie Gray signed for Spurs as a midfielder last summer, but with injuries in defence the 19-year-old slotted in at centre-back under Ange Postecoglou.
Gray will move back to his familiar midfield post under Thomas Frank and he has already proven in the Championship with Leeds he has the composure and passing range to be a success under the Dane.
There is competition for places at Spurs, but Gray is the future of Frank’s midfield if he is given the opportunity.
3 – Jorrel Hato (Chelsea)
Jorrel Hato has recently become a new acquisition for Chelsea after the Blues paid £37million for the 19-year-old.
Able to play at centre-back or left-back, Hato was named the Eredivisie Talent of the Year whilst at Ajax and was named vice captain during his time at the club.
| Apperances | 111 |
| Goals | 4 |
| Assists | 9 |
Those qualities are why Maresca has added to his defensive ranks as Chelsea look to become title challengers.
2 – Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal)
Ethan Nwaneri is another graduate of Arsenal’s Hale End academy, and when an injury struck Bukayo Saka last season the 18-year-old took his place.
Keeping Raheem Sterling out of the team, Nwaneri’s breakthrough meant Arsenal remained dangerous down the right flank.
Nwaneri scored a spectacular goal against Manchester City in the Gunners’ 5-1 rout of their title rivals and overall contributed four goals and two assists in 28 Premier League appearances.
Also capable of performing in the Champions League, Nwaneri will continue to be a useful asset to Arteta in the forthcoming campaign.
1 – Myles-Lewis Skelly (Arsenal)
Myles Lewis-Skelly has claimed the left-back spot as his own at Arsenal, and he only made his debut for the club last September.
The 18-year-old plays the inverted full-back role, and is comfortable taking possession in the middle of the park.
Lewis-Skelly also has the ability to contribute going forward whilst being excellent defensively and not compromising Arteta’s solid foundations which he has built at the club.
His performances earned him a senior England call up and on his debut Lewis-Skelly opened his goal scoring account for the Three Lions.
With the World Cup next summer, Lewis-Skelly will be targeting a spot in Thomas Tuchel’s squad.