The English Premier League is often regarded as home to the finest talent globally. However, as evidenced by ESPN’s compilation of the top 39 players aged 21 and under, this assertion is not entirely accurate, with only one of the top 13 players hailing from the league. This raises questions about Chelsea’s strategy of investing millions to acquire the best young talent—has there been a change in their preferred destinations?
For the eighth consecutive year (refer to 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 here), our scout Tor-Kristian Karlsen has evaluated the most promising prospects. Florian Wirtz (Liverpool), last year’s No. 2, is now too old for inclusion, while Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Xavi Simons (Tottenham Hotspur), and Benjamin Sesko (Manchester United) have also surpassed the age limit.
Given the multitude of teams and leagues worldwide, a broad search is essential to identify the best talent. Therefore, we analyzed the youngest players with insights from ESPN’s correspondents in the Netherlands, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Africa, Asia, and Australia. The Premier League maintains a notable presence, as anticipated, but which players have earned a spot on this year’s list, what distinguishes them, and how can they further enhance their skills?
Why 39?
The number 39 has proven effective over the past three years. From an initial longlist of 100 players, those remaining best met the key criteria: appearances at the highest level, consistent performance over time, and the potential to evolve into elite footballers.
What types of research were conducted?
A panel of professional scouts and sporting directors from various top European clubs was consulted before finalizing the rankings, along with insights from online scouting platforms. Personal preferences also influenced the decisions.
Is there a reason attacking players dominate the list?
Generally, forwards tend to receive more playing time at a younger age compared to central defenders or goalkeepers, who typically require more time to develop tactical awareness, positioning, and game understanding. Among those considered but not included were new Liverpool acquisition Jérémy Jacquet and Chelsea’s Jorrel Hato.
This highlights the depth of attacking talent, as players like Endrick, Ethan Nwaneri, Konstantinos Karetsas, Alejandro Garnacho, Jamie Gittens, and Yankuba Minteh did not make the final list, some due to limited playing time. Last year’s No. 8, Gavi, faced injury challenges throughout the year, while Malick Fofana was also sidelined for an extended period.
Notes:
-
Players must be 21 or younger on April 1, 2026.
-
Transfer values are sourced from Transfermarkt.
-
Positions include: GK (goalkeeper), LB (left back), RB (right back), CB (center back), DM (defensive midfield), CM (central midfield), AM (attacking midfield), FW (forward), ST (striker).
-
Statistics are accurate as of March 31, provided by Opta/ESPN’s Global Research team.
THE LIST
Jump to: No. 30 | No. 25. | No. 20. | No. 15. | No. 10. | No. 5. | No. 1.
39. Assan Ouédraogo, CM
Club/country: RB Leipzig/Germany
Age: 19
Estimated transfer value: €28 million
2025 position: Unranked
Ouédraogo has attracted attention from scouts at major European clubs since a young age. Since his transfer to RB Leipzig from Schalke 04 in the summer of 2024, he has showcased significant improvement in the technical and creative aspects of his game.
He possesses a unique combination of physical attributes and style, standing tall at 6-foot-3 as a central midfielder with remarkable balance and body control, strong technical skills, excellent dribbling, the ability to advance the ball quickly, and proficiency in shooting with both feet. Primarily utilized as a box-to-box No. 8—though his role often resembles that of a No. 10 behind the striker—he excels in making incisive dribbles and is adept at executing clever touches, flicks, and one-twos to generate opportunities for his teammates.
While Ouédraogo’s potential could place him higher on this list, persistent injuries have impeded his development.
Key stat: His inclination to penetrate advanced areas is evident in his average of 5.41 touches in the opposition box per 90 minutes—the highest among central midfielders in the German Bundesliga.
How he can improve: He should enhance his defensive contributions relative to his peers. Additionally, his first touch can be inconsistent at times.
38. Rayan, FW/ST
Club/country: Bournemouth/Brazil
Age: 19
Estimated transfer value: €40M
2025 position: Unranked
Bournemouth acted swiftly to acquire the Brazil international from Vasco da Gama for €28.5 million in January, outpacing several European giants. Although still developing, he has adapted well to the Premier League’s intensity and even netted a goal on his home debut against Aston Villa.
While Brazil is known for producing technically skilled attackers, Rayan distinguishes himself with his physicality and explosive acceleration when advancing with the ball, particularly in wide areas. From these positions, he can convert transitions into offensive threats and utilize his powerful left foot to challenge the goalkeeper.
However, as he continues to hone his instincts as a penalty-area poacher, Rayan’s overall skill set raises some tactical considerations. Currently, he appears more suited to a wide-forward role—potentially succeeding Antoine Semenyo at Bournemouth—where his speed and directness can be fully utilized, rather than being confined to a central No. 9 position.
Key stat: Although based on a limited sample size, Rayan has won 1.87 of his aerial duels for Bournemouth, ranking him favorably among other strikers. He averages 0.4 goal contributions per game, the fifth-highest among Brazilian-born players in the Premier League this season.
How he can improve: Rayan should work on reducing his reliance on his left foot to become less predictable, especially in one-on-one situations where shifting the ball in either direction could open up more options. To evolve into a complete center forward, he also needs to refine his link-up play, balancing his instinct to make runs behind the defense with the ability to hold up the ball and connect with teammates.
37. Said El Mala, FW/AM
Club/country: FC Cologne/Germany
Age: 19
Estimated transfer value: €40M
2025 position: Unranked
El Mala emerged as a standout player after netting four goals in four matches at the U19 European Championship for Germany in 2025. Following two seasons in Germany’s third tier, the forward has had a breakout year in the Bundesliga, scoring 10 goals and providing three assists for Cologne while striving to keep the club clear of relegation.
His technical and physical attributes are impressive, but his results are particularly noteworthy. Operating mainly from the left flank, he can accelerate into space, fend off challenges with strength, and take on defenders. When cutting inside onto his stronger right foot, he frequently creates shooting or crossing angles around the edge of the box, aided by subtle feints and quick body movements.
At 6-foot-2, he is unusually tall for a wide player, a physical trait that can also aid his defensive responsibilities, yet he can maneuver past opponents in tight spaces and often relies on his quick footwork rather than just speed.
Key stat: El Mala averages 3.44 shots per 90 in the Bundesliga this season, with only Lamine Yamal surpassing his 10 goals among players 21 or younger from Europe’s top five leagues.
How he can improve: El Mala’s most significant area for development is decision-making. At times, he can be overly selfish, holding onto the ball too long or opting for ambitious long-range shots instead of finding teammates in better positions. Enhancing his awareness during structured attacks—especially against deep defensive setups—would enable him to have a greater impact on matches.
play1:54Which upcoming stars could be set for big summer transfers?
Gab Marcotti and Julien Laurens predict which young players from the 39 best men’s U21 players in the world list could be set for a move in the summer transfer window.
36. Francesco Pio Esposito, ST
Club/country: Inter Milan/Italy
Age: 20
Estimated transfer value: €35M
2025 position: Unranked
The emergence of a classic No. 9 striker is always welcomed in Italy, and the 20-year-old has passed his initial test, scoring nine goals for his club during his debut Serie A season and adding three more for his national team.
Standing at 6-foot-3, Esposito fits the traditional center-forward mold but incorporates several modern elements. He engages physically with opposing center backs while also learning to navigate the penalty area and link up effectively with teammates. His timing for layoffs and combinations has improved this season, and his ability to create space and retain possession aids his team in advancing up the pitch.
Moreover, he often occupies defenders enough to allow others to move into more advanced positions, making him valuable even in matches where he does not score.
Key stat: Esposito has won 50% of his aerial duels and 49.7% of his ground duels this season, showcasing a level of physical competitiveness that is notable for a 20-year-old striker in his first Serie A campaign.
How he can improve: Much of his next step involves refining the technical aspects of his game. Greater composure when finishing under pressure, improved short passing accuracy, and a more reliable touch during layoffs and flicks would help him advance to the next level.
35. Archie Gray, LB/RB/CB/CM
Club/country: Tottenham Hotspur/England
Age: 20
Estimated transfer value: €35M
2025 position: 36
It is challenging to assess Gray during what has been a tumultuous season for Tottenham. Fans have expressed mixed opinions: some are frustrated with his occasionally inconsistent passing, while others view him as one of the few players who can reflect on the season with a sense of pride.
Part of the difficulty has stemmed from his positional shifts, which have been quite varied. Throughout his career, Gray has been deployed across the pitch, playing at center back, both full back positions, as a deep-lying No. 6 midfielder, and as a more advanced No. 8 midfielder (the latter likely being his best position). Such tactical adjustments would challenge even the most seasoned professionals, let alone a 20-year-old still adapting to the league’s demands.
What has stood out most this season is his attitude. Gray has approached challenges with resilience, never complaining and consistently striving to contribute wherever he is placed. At his best, he provides Tottenham with a valuable outlet for progression, as he is comfortable receiving the ball under pressure, capable of advancing past the first line of defense, and generally eager to move play forward rather than sideways. For these reasons, his long-term prospects remain promising.
Key stat: His 41 clearances in the Premier League season rank second among midfielders aged 21 or younger.
How he can improve: Developing more physical authority would enable him to win more duels (34.6% success on the ground and 36% in the air is low), while quicker decision-making in advanced areas—whether through the final pass or shot—would ensure he has a greater attacking impact.
34. Savinho, FW
Club/country: Manchester City/Brazil
Age: 21
Estimated transfer value: €40M
2025 position: 10
Although last year’s No. 10 still plays a role in Pep Guardiola’s winger rotation at City, his status has declined. He has shown moments of influence in cup competitions, proving to be a catalyst in knockout matches and contributing goals against Premier League teams, but his overall consistency has waned, reflected in his new ranking.
His qualities are evident: sharp acceleration over short distances, high-speed dribbling that enables him to outpace defenders on either side, excellent close control, and a signature move of receiving the ball wide before driving diagonally toward the box.
The primary challenge for Savinho is his end product. Too often, he appears indecisive after beating his full back; whether to shoot, cross, or recycle possession. His crossing can be erratic (24.1% success rate), and he sometimes struggles to impact games for extended periods. While his profile largely aligns with last season across most attacking metrics, the main difference is a 15% to 20% reduction in touches inside the opposition box, which helps clarify his decrease in goal contributions.
Key stat: Savinho’s 165 completed passes in the final third this Premier League season is the highest among Brazilian-born players aged 21 or younger.
How he can improve: Simplifying his final action would be a beneficial starting point to reverse this downward trend. Enhancing the timing of his off-the-ball movements—especially when attacks develop on the opposite flank—would also help him arrive in more advantageous positions, and he could learn from the way new teammate Antoine Semenyo times his blindside runs to attack the far post.
33. Mateus Fernandes, CM
Club/country: West Ham United/Portugal
Age: 21
Estimated transfer value: €35M
2025 position: Unranked
Last season, Fernandes faced relegation with Southampton despite winning both the Player of the Season and Fan’s Player of the Season awards for the club, but he managed to play only three games in the Championship before making a £40 million transfer to West Ham. However, he finds himself in a similar situation this season, as West Ham is also fighting to avoid relegation.
Fernandes is a central midfielder who brings both defensive and offensive qualities. On one hand, he excels at tackling, pressing effectively, and regaining possession—158 duels place him in the 95th percentile among midfielders—while he also possesses the vision to deliver long passes (61.1% success rate) and identify deep runs from teammates.
He generally covers significant ground and reads danger well, winning many loose balls, while he handles pressure adeptly and can shift play quickly. This, combined with his fine dribbling at high speed, makes him valuable at both ends of the pitch. His three goals this season—including the fastest Premier League goal of the campaign, scored just 29 seconds into a match against Aston Villa—demonstrate his ability to arrive in goal-scoring positions.
Key stat: Fernandes’ 143 recoveries (4.9 per 90) in the Premier League this season is the highest among players 21 or younger. He has also won (40) nearly as many fouls as he has committed (41).
How he can improve: Enhancing the quality of his crossing (26.1%) would significantly increase his threat level. His shots-on-target rate of 23% (five from 22 total) is also modest, given his positioning.
32. Hugo Larsson, CM/DM
Club/country: Eintracht Frankfurt/
