The Premier League is home to some of the brightest young talents. Read on as we look at the best U18 players from each club.
Chido Obi – Manchester United
The Danish youngster is one of the best teenagers at United. He made his first team debut last season and has featured in all their pre-season games.
Obi’s clinical finishing makes him a highly-rated youngster. However, given United’s pursuit of a new striker, he may struggle for first-team opportunities next season.
Max Dowman – Arsenal
The English attacking midfielder is arguably the Gunners’ most exciting talent and has been promoted to the first team.
He caught the eye with a superb display in the pre-season friendly victory over Newcastle United. He can cut through defences with passes, is good at set-pieces, and is decisive in the final.
Rio Ngumoha – Liverpool
The England youth international became the youngest player to feature for Liverpool in the FA Cup when he started against Accrington Stanley in January.
His flair and creativity have been in full flow in the Reds’ pre-season games. He scored in the 3-1 victory over Yokohama FM on Wednesday.
Landon Emenalo – Chelsea
Manager Enzo Maresca named the left-footed defensive midfielder in the matchday squad for the Europa Conference League match against Legia Warsaw in April.
He has good passing ability and composure on the ball. He is also versatile as he can play at left-back and centre-back.
Stephen Mfuni – Manchester City
The talented centre-back was named in the squad for last summer’s pre-season tour to the United States.
Mfuni has an impressive physical prowess, making it easy to keep opposing forwards quiet in games and also possesses a good passing ability.
Jun’ai Byfield – Tottenham Hotspur
The 16-year-old defender is currently with the first team squad for the pre-season tour to Hong Kong and Korea, showing how highly he is rated.
Byfield has the makings to be a standout modern-day centre-back. He is adept with the ball at his feet, athletic, powerful and composed on the ball.
Bradley Burrowes – Aston Villa
Burrowes was named on the bench for the FA Cup third round win over West Ham United in January.
He is ‘a quick and powerful winger‘ who can play on either wing or as a striker. He is also comfortable on the ball with both feet.
Ben Casey – Crystal Palace
He was Palace’s top scorer in the U18 Premier League last season with 11 goals. He was the only player at the club who did not miss a game last term.
He is good with the ball and knows how to run in behind. He could debut for the U21s next season and get involved with the first team if he continues to improve.
Seth Ridgeon – Fulham
He committed his future to the Cottagers this summer, turning down advances from Man United, Liverpool and Chelsea.
He is an ‘energetic and exciting box-to-box midfielder’. He made his debut for the U21s last term.
Emeka Adiele – West Ham United
The 17-year-old can play effectively as a left back and wing-back due to his pace and ability to combine both offensive and defensive duties.
He featured regularly for the U18s and U21s last season, providing eight league goal involvements for both sides.
Nedved Owusu – Brentford
The 16-year-old joined the Bees last summer and immediately joined the U18s.
Described as a ‘crafty winger’, he had a brilliant end to the last campaign, registering six goals and three assists across all competitions. He also scored on his debut for Brentford’s ‘B’ team.
Henry Johnson – Newcastle United
The young defender joined the Magpies at age 10 after leaving his local boys club, Hetton Juniors.
His versatility and leadership traits make him a standout talent. He played every U18 Premier League North game last season and scored once.
Tyler Silsby – Brighton & Hove Albion
Silsby scored nine goals and assisted once in 17 U18 Premier League games last season.
He can play from both offensive flanks and as an attacking midfielder. He possesses a unique first touch, incredible footwork, a goalscoring instinct, and is deadly with set-pieces.
Mateus Mane – Wolverhampton Wanderers
Mane made his first team debut against Brighton, making him the youngest debutant for the club in the Premier League. Manager Vitor Pereira has confirmed that he will be part of the first team this term.
The English youngster has a good off-the-ball movement, an impressive work rate and is adept at finishing.
Justin Clarke – Everton
He joined Everton 2024 and impressed in his debut campaign for the U18s, bagging 10 goals in 16 league games. He also debuted for the U21s in February.
He is a wide forward who knows how to get into goalscoring positions.
Isaac Davies – Nottingham Forest
The left-footed Welsh midfielder was sublime for Forest’s U18s in the last campaign, tallying six goals and three assists.
He has been described as ‘a skilful, exciting attacking midfielder, with a box of tricks‘.
Malcom Dacosta -Bournemouth
Dacosta joined the Cherries at U11 level and was promoted to the reserve team this year.
The Ecuador youth international is a box-to-box midfielder known for his physical prowess and recovery of possession.
Marcus Neill – Sunderland
Neill stood out in the U18 Premier League last term, scoring 16 goals in 22 games with only two players outscoring him in the division.
His proficiency in front of goal marks him down as an excellent future prospect. He will be hoping to make his first team debut soon.
Samuel Alker – Leeds United
He debuted for the U18s last season and made quite an impression, registering a goal and two assists in six games.
Alker can operate in the attacking and central midfield roles on the left wing. He is expected to get more game time with the U18s next term.
Kian McMahon-Brown – Burnley
McMahon-Brown has played as an attacking midfielder and striker for the Clarets’ youth teams. He chipped in with 34 goals and 15 assists last season.
He played a key role in helping the Republic of Ireland qualify for the U17 World Cup for the first time in the country’s history.
