A group of 16 teenage prospects have been identified as the most exciting young players yet to make their Premier League debut, with Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham among the clubs represented.
The list highlights the growing number of academy players pushing towards senior football, following the breakthroughs of Liverpool’s Rio Ngumoha and Arsenal’s Max Dowman. It was compiled in partnership with scouting platform Eyeball and its football intelligence lead Alfred Frank.
Arsenal prospects lead the Premier League shortlist
1. Brando Bailey-Joseph, Arsenal — The 17-year-old England winger joined Arsenal at the age of eight and established himself as a dangerous, fast-moving presence for the Under-21s.
He scored nine goals and supplied seven assists last season before making his senior debut in the Champions League against Kairat Almaty in January. However, an ACL injury sustained in July means he faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines. His likelihood of making a Premier League debut this season is rated at 2/5.
2. Ceadach O’Neill, Arsenal — O’Neill scored 18 goals in 30 appearances last season across three age groups, making him the academy’s leading scorer. The 18-year-old Northern Ireland international can operate as a winger or attacking midfielder and is regarded as particularly effective in tight spaces.
He made his senior international debut in June during a 1-0 win over Guinea. O’Neill can still choose to represent the Republic of Ireland and withdrew from Northern Ireland’s latest squad with an injury.
The teenager also attracted attention after featuring in Arsenal’s pre-season defeat by Real Betis, with interest in his international future adding to his growing profile.
3. TJ Carroll, Aston Villa — Carroll has been with Villa since he was eight and is a right-sided, ball-playing centre-back. He featured during pre-season and has trained regularly with Unai Emery’s first team.
Following Ezri Konsa’s move to Arsenal, Emery chose to retain the 19-year-old rather than send him out on loan. A temporary move could still be considered in January if first-team opportunities remain limited. His prospects of a Premier League debut this season are rated at 2/5.
Carroll’s comfort in possession stems from his earlier role as a deep-lying midfield playmaker.
4. Reggie Watson, Chelsea — The 16-year-old midfielder was the youngest player on Chelsea’s pre-season tour of Australia and Asia under Xabi Alonso, who offered him personal guidance on playing in central midfield.
Watson has continued to train with the first team and is already physically imposing for his age. He is the son of former Premier League player Ben Watson, the Wigan Athletic FA Cup hero, and has been rated 4/5 for a top-flight debut this season.
Liverpool’s academy talent
5. Braiden Graham, Everton — Everton’s shortage of attacking options could bring the 18-year-old Northern Ireland forward into Premier League matchday squads more regularly than expected.
Graham may otherwise have left on loan to an EFL club, but he has remained at Goodison Park and has been included in Michael O’Neill’s latest Northern Ireland squad. He has been prolific at youth level and worked under former Leeds striker David Healy at Linfield.
Everton manager David Moyes believes Graham’s future may lie away from the central striker role. “I don’t think he’s a striker, first of all,” Moyes said. “He’s probably someone who would play off the sides for us. I like Braiden, he’s trained with us quite a lot and he played in pre-season. He’s certainly moving in the right direction.”
Graham’s likelihood of a Premier League debut is rated at 4/5.
6. Alfie Cresswell, Leeds United — The younger brother of Rennes defender Charlie Cresswell, Alfie is highly regarded by Leeds manager Daniel Farke and trains regularly with the senior squad.
The 19-year-old can play as the right-sided defender in a back three or move into midfield, where he usually features for the Under-21s. He started in central midfield during Leeds’ 4-3 EFL Trophy win at Barnsley on September 22.
His senior breakthrough appears close, although Leeds’ strong performances have made it difficult for him to force his way into the side. His Premier League debut prospects this season are rated at 4/5.
7. Joshua Abe, Liverpool — Abe is regarded as one of the most gifted players in Liverpool’s academy and attracted interest from Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea and Real Madrid before committing his future to the Reds.
The 16-year-old winger has trained with Liverpool’s first team and travelled on their pre-season tour, but is currently recovering from a shoulder problem that required minor surgery.
Abe is capable of beating defenders and has an eye for goal, although his age means Liverpool are likely to manage his progress carefully. His likelihood of making a Premier League appearance this season is rated at 4/5.
8. Mor Talla Ndiaye, Liverpool — The Senegalese centre-back was recruited after being scouted at the Under-17 World Cup and joined Liverpool from Amitie FC in a deal worth £1 million.
The 18-year-old is tall and left-footed, qualities which offer Liverpool an alternative at the back. He impressed during pre-season and has already been named on the first-team bench, although fellow young defender Ifeanyi Ndukwe has moved ahead of him in the pecking order.
Ndiaye’s prospects of a Premier League debut this season are rated at 3/5.
9. Will Wright, Liverpool — Liverpool moved for the 18-year-old striker after he had been in talks with Arsenal, signing him from Salford City in 2025 following four first-team appearances for the League club.
Wright signed on a Friday, passed his driving test the following day and then played in a friendly at Anfield. His first season was disrupted by a medial ligament injury and surgery, but he returned for Liverpool’s pre-season tour of the United States.
He is described as a natural finisher with considerable physical strength and the pace to run in behind. His likelihood of making his Premier League debut is rated at 3/5.
Manchester City and Manchester United hopefuls
10. Floyd Samba, Manchester City — The son of former Blackburn Rovers and Queens Park Rangers centre-back Chris Samba, Floyd has been part of Manchester City’s academy since childhood.
The 17-year-old midfielder was scouted at Wilmslow Football Academy and has developed with help from senior players including Abdukodir Khusanov and Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Samba has already made a senior appearance in the Carabao Cup against Norwich, scoring twice on his debut. “To get a debut like that is mind-blowing,” he said. “The first-teamers have all been brilliant with me – before the game, giving me advice like, ‘Play your game, be you’.”
He added: “Those words have given me confidence. This is just the beginning, I have got a big career ahead of me.” His likelihood of making a Premier League appearance this season is rated at 4/5.
11. Amir Ibragimov, Manchester United — The Russian forward has moved from a deep-lying midfield role with United’s Under-18s to becoming the focal point of the Under-21 attack, where he has operated as a false nine.
Ibragimov’s progress has been more gradual than that of some of his contemporaries, but United believe he is beginning to establish himself. Under-21 manager Adam Lawrence said: “There’s obviously still loads more to come and to work on but he’s definitely moving in the right direction and I think he’s feeling quite confident and fit and strong at the moment, which is great.”
His likelihood of a Premier League debut this season is rated at 2/5.
12. Tynan Thompson, Manchester United — United signed the 18-year-old winger from Tottenham during the summer, with the deal potentially reaching £8 million if he fulfils his potential.
Thompson has shown promise for the Under-21s but is not considered physically ready for regular first-team football. Competition from Marcus Rashford, Amad Diallo, Bryan Mbeumo and Shea Lacey also stands in his way.
He has yet to make a competitive first-team appearance and is rated at 2/5 for a Premier League debut this season.
Newcastle and Tottenham’s next generation
13. Matheos Ferreira, Newcastle United — Ferreira joined Newcastle’s academy from Berwick Rangers in 2020 and is eligible to represent England, Italy or Brazil.
The 18-year-old can play on either wing and is quick and direct, although his final product still requires improvement. Newcastle manager Matthias Jaissle is unlikely to select him unless injuries create an opportunity. His Premier League debut prospects are rated at 2/5.
14. Sam Alabi, Newcastle United — Alabi joined Newcastle from Oldham at the age of 14 and has since captained England at youth level.
The 17-year-old midfielder was named on the bench several times by Eddie Howe last season after holding his own during training with the senior players. Newcastle insiders believe he has the attributes to develop into a first-team player, and his likelihood of a Premier League debut is rated at 3/5.
15. Luca Williams-Barnett, Tottenham Hotspur — Williams-Barnett is a confident attacking midfielder or winger who carries the ball well, creates chances and contributes goals.
Tottenham signed him from Luton when he was nine and included him in their first-team squad shortly after his 16th birthday. He has since made senior appearances in the Carabao Cup against Doncaster and Charlton.
Spurs manager Roberto De Zerbi had intended to introduce him in the Premier League against Brentford on the opening day, but abandoned the plan when Tottenham fell 3-0 behind. Williams-Barnett is rated at 4/5 to make his top-flight debut this season.
16. Malachi Hardy, Tottenham Hotspur — Hardy has been with Spurs since the age of eight and is a 6ft 3in centre-back who can operate on either side of the defence.
The 18-year-old is quick, strong and composed in possession, as well as being effective in the air. He captained England through the age groups and formed a defensive partnership with Jun’ai Byfield, who made his Premier League debut in February.
Hardy has been included in Tottenham’s first-team squads and impressed De Zerbi during the club’s pre-season tour of Australia. He signed a new long-term contract in April and has now made the permanent step up to the senior squad, although his likelihood of a Premier League debut this season is rated at 2/5.
