JJ Gabriel is not the only talented teenager desperate for a Premier League debut.
Across the country, the stars of academy football are knocking on the door of the first team as they dream of realising their potential on the grandest stage.
Gabriel’s dispute with Manchester United, and the storm it created across the game, shows that youth players are big business these days. Liverpool took Rio Ngumoha from Chelsea and the 18-year-old is now in the full England squad. Once he has regular playing time, Arsenal’s 16-year-old attacking midfielder Max Dowman will not be far behind.
In partnership with prominent scouting platform Eyeball, and their football intelligence lead Alfred Frank, Daily Mail Sport has settled on the 16 most exciting youngsters yet to make their first appearances in England’s top flight.
Don’t be surprised if this lot are soon following in the footsteps of Ngumoha and Dowman…
1. Brando Bailey-Joseph (Arsenal)
Age: 17, Position: Winger, Nation: England
The 17-year-old joined Arsenal aged eight and has become a skilful, pacy winger.
Bailey-Joseph’s speed on the left flank set him apart with Arsenal’s Under 21s – for whom he featured regularly last season – and made the team far more potent on counter attacks.
The teenager struck nine goals and seven assists across all competitions last season and headed into this campaign full of confidence, having made his senior Arsenal debut in the Champions League in January against Kairat Almaty.
He recently suffered a major blow, sustaining an ACL injury in July which will see him on the sidelines for a significant period of time following surgery. A huge setback, yes, but one he can rebound from. Isaan Khan
Likelihood of PL debut this season: 2/5
Brando Bailey-Joseph struck nine goals and seven assists across all competitions last season and made his senior Arsenal debut in the Champions League in January against Kairat Almaty
2. Ceadach O’Neill (Arsenal)
Age: 18, Position: Central midfielder, Nation: Northern Ireland
The 18-year-old has quietly risen to prominence in the Arsenal youth set-up. His 18 goals in 30 appearances last season made him the academy’s top goalscorer, scored across three age levels.
It culminated in O’Neill being rewarded with his senior international debut, coming on for Northern Ireland in a 1-0 win over Guinea in June 2026.
O’Neill is one of Arsenal’s more intriguing young attackers because of his versatility and technical ability. Comfortable as a winger or an attacking midfielder, it’s his ability to beat defenders and play confidently in tight areas which makes him stand out.
The youngster courted a lot of interest from the Irish media in the mixed zone after Arsenal’s pre-season defeat by Real Betis in August.
He’s in the headlines at present amid a tug of war over who he will represent at international level, as he can still switch to the Republic of Ireland if he wishes. He pulled out of Northern Ireland’s latest squad to face Georgia on Friday with an injury. Isaan Khan
Ceadach O’Neill has quietly risen to prominence in Arsenal’s academy, scoring 18 goals in 30 games last season across three age groups
3. TJ Carroll (Aston Villa)
Age: 19, Position: Centre back, Nation: England
Carroll is a ball-playing right-sided centre back who has been with Villa since the age of eight.
He featured during pre-season and trains regularly with the first team, including twice in the final week before the international break, in which Villa recorded two wins.
Following the sale of Ezri Konsa to Arsenal, Unai Emery decided to keep Carroll in the summer, rather than allowing him to leave on loan – though he may do so in January if first-team opportunities have not arrived by then.
He owes his impressive ability on the ball to his early days as a deep-lying midfield playmaker. Tom Collomosse
Likelihood of PL debut this season: 2/5
TJ Carroll owes his impressive ability on the ball to his early days as a deep-lying midfield playmaker
4. Reggie Watson (Chelsea)
Age: 16, Position: Central midfielder, Nation: England
You see Watson and think: ‘He’s 16? Really?’
He already carries a formidable frame, and yet he was the youngest player on Chelsea’s pre-season tour of Australia and Asia under Xabi Alonso, who was giving him personal advice about being a central midfielder.
He grew up in football as the son of former Premier League player and Wigan Athletic FA Cup hero Ben Watson, so knows what it takes to make it.
Given Chelsea’s situation in midfield after failing to sign anyone on deadline day, some fans think this kid should be a substitute option already. He has continued to train with the first team here and there. He’s on a promising pathway. Kieran Gill
Likelihood of PL debut this season: 4/5
You see Reggie Watson play and think: ‘He’s 16? Really?’
5. Braiden Graham (Everton)
Age: 18, Position: Forward, Nation: Northern Ireland
Everton’s threadbare squad may be bad news for David Moyes, but it’s good news for Graham.
Had things played out a little differently in the transfer window, the 18-year-old may well have headed out on loan to an EFL club. Instead, he is almost guaranteed to feature in most Premier League matchday squads given the Toffees’ lack of attacking options.
Graham still has a boyish physique, but his ball-striking is excellent and he has been prolific at youth level. Former Leeds striker David Healy, Graham’s manager at former club Linfield, was a key early influence. He received his first Northern Ireland call-up in June and was again named in Michael O’Neill’s squad this international break.
A striker with Everton’s Under 21s, Moyes sees Graham’s future at first-team level in a different role given his lack of physical presence.
‘I don’t think he’s a striker, first of all,’ said Moyes recently. ‘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.’ Alex Jennings
Likelihood of PL debut this season: 4/5
Braiden Graham still has a boyish physique, but his ball-striking is excellent and he has been prolific at youth level
6. Alfie Cresswell (Leeds United)
Age: 19, Position: Centre back/centre midfield, Nation: England
The younger brother of Charlie Cresswell, who is now with Rennes, Alfie is hugely admired by Leeds boss Daniel Farke and trains regularly with the first-team squad.
Farke believes Cresswell can operate on the right of a back three, using his natural ease in possession to step into midfield. For Leeds’ Under 21s side, Cresswell mostly operates in central midfield, as he did in the 4-3 win at Barnsley in the EFL Trophy on September 22.
Cresswell’s rapid progress suggests a senior debut is close, although breaking into any Premier League team is tough, especially one performing as consistently as Leeds at the moment. If he is made available for loan in January, though, there will be no shortage of takers in England and overseas. Tom Collomosse
Likelihood of PL debut this season: 4/5
Leeds head coach Daniel Farke believes Alfie Cresswell can operate on the right of a back three, using his natural ease in possession to step into midfield
7. Joshua Abe (Liverpool)
Age: 16, Position: Winger, Nation: England
The most talented kid in Liverpool’s academy and the best compliment he can be paid is to list the clubs that tried and failed to poach him this year: Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea, Real Madrid (and surely many more).
Liverpool tied him down, though, and Abe has already trained with the first team several times and featured on their pre-season tour. He is out injured at the moment with a shoulder issue that required minor surgery.
The winger has magic in his boots, can beat his man with ease and knows where the goal is. He is still very young, though, so patience must be advised but it would be a surprise if Abe does not break through. Lewis Steele
Likelihood of PL debut this season: 2/5
Joshua Abe has magic in his boots, can beat his man with ease and knows where the goal is
8. Mor Talla Ndiaye (Liverpool)
Age: 18, Position: Centre back, Nation: Senegal
This signing was one straight from Fenway Sports Group’s Moneyball playbook, with Matt Newberry’s global talent team to thank for identifying Ndiaye.
The Reds scouted him playing for Senegal at the Under-17 World Cup and he arrived from Amitie FC, who are owned by former Premier League striker Demba Ba, for £1million.
Ndiaye is tall and left-footed, which gives him an advantage. He impressed in pre-season though fellow youngster Ifeanyi Ndukwe pushed ahead of him. He has been on the first-team bench a few times already. Lewis Steele
Likelihood of PL debut this season: 2/5
Liverpool scouted Mor Talla Ndiaye playing for Senegal at the Under-17 World Cup and he arrived from Amitie FC, who are owned by former Premier League striker Demba Ba
9. Will Wright (Liverpool)
Age: 18, Position: Striker, Nation: England
The 18-year-old was in talks with Arsenal throughout the summer of 2025 until Liverpool swept in at the last minute and poached him from Salford City, where he had made four first-team appearances.
It was a whirlwind weekend: he signed his contract on the Friday, passed his driving test on the Saturday and then played at Anfield in a friendly the next day.
His first year at the club saw him sidelined and needing surgery with a medial ligament injury. The striker is back now and played on the pre-season tour of America. He is a poacher with physicality beyond his years and fast when running in behind. Lewis Steele
Likelihood of PL debut this season: 2/5
Striker Will Wright is a poacher with physicality beyond his years and fast when running in behind
10. Floyd Samba (Manchester City)
Age: 17, Position: Central midfielder, Nation: England/Germany
The surname might feel familiar, with Samba the son of former Blackburn Rovers and Queens Park Rangers centre back Chris.
He has been in City’s youth set-up since he was a boy, having been scouted by City stalwart Mike Hayes at Wilmslow Football Academy and excelled throughout the age groups.
Samba has a surprising mentor in City’s first-team squad. Despite his shy personality and the fact he has not yet mastered English, Abdukodir Khusanov has been one of the key figures in helping Samba make the step up, along with Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Khusanov will have been bursting with pride when Samba enjoyed a fantastic senior debut in a Carabao Cup clash with Norwich a few weeks ago.
The 17-year-old scored twice, saying: ‘To get a debut like that is mind-blowing. The first-teamers have all been brilliant with me – before the game, giving me advice like, “Play your game, be you”. Those words have given me confidence. This is just the beginning, I have got a big career ahead of me.’
Bold words. But you suspect Samba will back them up. Jack Gaughan
Likelihood of PL debut this season: 4/5
Floyd Samba enjoyed a dream Manchester City debut against Norwich this month, scoring twice
11. Amir Ibragimov (Manchester United)
Age: 18, Position: Forward, Nation: Russia
Deployed as a false nine as part of the Under 21s’ shift towards mirroring the patterns of play of the first team, Ibragimov’s stocks are on the rise again this season.
The versatile Russian played as a deep-lying playmaker for Darren Fletcher’s Under 18s last season and is now the focal point of the Under 21s’ attack.
Ibragimov has been a slow burn compared to many of his peers, who have been fast-tracked into the first-team training group, but those at United now believe the diminutive Russian is coming into his own.
‘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 Under 21s boss Adam Lawrence said recently. Nathan Salt
Likelihood of PL debut this season: 2/5
Versatile Russian Amir Ibragimov played as a deep-lying playmaker for Darren Fletcher’s Under 18s last season and is now the focal point of the Under 21s attack
12. Tynan Thompson (Manchester United)
Age: 18, Position: Winger, Nation: England
The latest Ineos project player, and one who will cost as much as £8million if he ends up realising the potential the likes of Jason Wilcox and Co see in him, having moved from Tottenham over the summer.
Thompson is yet to appear for the first team in a competitive match but has shown a real zip for the Under 21s, even without displaying the blistering pace that would propel him to a higher level in and of itself.
He doesn’t look first team ready just yet – physically he needs building up slowly – and is unlikely to get in ahead of Marcus Rashford, Amad Diallo, Bryan Mbeumo or Shea Lacey. But he is a player Ineos have invested time and money in – and they will want to see that recognised at the top level. Nathan Salt
Likelihood of PL debut this season: 2/5
Tynan Thompson is the latest Ineos project player, and one who will cost as much as £8million if he ends up realising the potential the likes of Jason Wilcox and Co see in him
13. Matheos Ferreira (Newcastle United)
Age: 18, Position: Winger, Nation: England/Italy/Brazil
He’s still just 18 but Ferreira has been around Newcastle since 2020 after joining the academy from Berwick Rangers. He has Italian and Brazilian heritage and that shows in his wing play.
He can play on either flank and is fast and direct – although his end product needs to improve. Until then, Matthias Jaissle is unlikely to call on him unless injuries force his hand. Craig Hope
Likelihood of PL debut this season: 2/5
Matheos Ferreira can play on either flank and is fast and direct – although his end product needs to improve
14. Sam Alabi (Newcastle United)
Age: 17, Position: Midfielder, Nation: England
The 17-year-old midfielder joined from Oldham aged 14 in 2023, and it was regarded as something of a coup at the time.
He has since captained England at youth level and, last season, Eddie Howe named him on the bench several times after Alabi held his own in training with the seniors.
He is one Newcastle insiders talk about as having all the attributes to emerge as a first-team player. Craig Hope
Likelihood of PL debut this season: 3/5
Sam Alabi has captained England at youth level and, last season, Eddie Howe named him on the bench several times after the midfielder held his own in training with the seniors
15. Luca Williams-Barnett (Tottenham Hotspur)
Age: 17, Position: Midfielder/winger, Nation: England
An outrageously gifted attacking midfielder or winger who loves to run with the ball at his feet and has outstanding poise and balance. Williams-Barnett sees a pass, creates and scores, and is supremely confident in possession, some might say to the point of arrogance. He scored a Panenka penalty in a pre-season shootout against Sydney.
Signed from Luton at nine, he was in the Spurs first-team squad as soon as he turned 16, on the bench in a Champions League tie. He made his first senior appearance as a substitute in the Carabao Cup against Doncaster last season and came off the bench in the same competition last month against Charlton.
Roberto De Zerbi admitted he wanted to bring him on for a Premier League debut at Brentford on the opening day of this season but abandoned the plan because Spurs were 3-0 down and struggling. Matt Barlow
Likelihood of PL debut this season: 4/5
Luca Williams-Barnett is an outrageously gifted attacking midfielder or winger who loves to run with the ball at his feet and has outstanding poise and balance
Centre back Malachi Hardy has been at Spurs since the age of eight. He is quick and strong, aggressive in the tackle and composed on the ball
16. Malachi Hardy (Tottenham Hotspur)
Age: 18, Position: Centre back, Nation: England
Centre back Hardy has been at Spurs since the age of eight. He is quick and strong, aggressive in the tackle and composed on the ball.
The 18-year-old is predominantly right-footed but can play on either side. He is 6ft 3in and good in the air in both boxes.
Often described as an old head on young shoulders, Hardy captained England through his age groups and forged a central defensive partnership for club and country with Jun’ai Byfield, who made his Premier League debut in February. He has even trained with Thomas Tuchel’s senior group during this international break.
He has been in Tottenham’s first-team squad on several occasions and he impressed De Zerbi during this summer’s pre-season tour Down Under. Hardy signed a new long-term deal at Spurs in April and made the permanent step up to the first-team squad this season. Matt Barlow
Likelihood of PL debut this season: 2/5
