There are some special talents in world football right now and Max Dowman is threatening to be up there with the best.
The 15-year-old became Arsenal’s youngest ever starter during their fourth-round Carabao Cup win over Brighton.
Dowman made history for Arsenal in the Carabao Cup
8
Dowman made history for Arsenal in the Carabao CupCredit: Getty
He’s not old enough to have done his GCSEs yet, but the teenager is on a trajectory to take the world by storm.
“He's one of the best young players, if not the best young player in the world at the minute, at 15,” former Arsenal starlet David Bentley told talkSPORT after that victory over Brighton.
Ex-Arsenal star Adrian Clarke added: “He has got explosive speed when traveling with the ball at his feet and he's got beautiful balance.
“Then you look for his decision making. It reminds me of Bukayo Saka’s decision making when he came through.”
READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS
The world is Dowman’s oyster and as he does not turn 16 until December, he has time on his side to develop at his own pace.
So who is Dowman up against, talkSPORT takes a look at the top 10 most valuable Under-21 players in world football right now, with the help of Transfermarkt.
The Arsenal starlet is not quite there yet, but will no doubt be shooting up the list in the near future.
10. Adam Wharton, 21 - Crystal Palace (£52.8m)
The midfielder has been an absolute steal for Palace, who paid just £22m to Blackburn in January 2024.
He has been the heartbeat of Oliver Glasner’s side that won the FA Cup last season and the Community Shield at the start of this campaign.
Unsurprisingly, he has been linked to some of the biggest clubs in world football as a result.
Wharton is one of the brightest English talents in the game
8
Wharton is one of the brightest English talents in the gameCredit: Getty
Bayern Munich, Liverpool, and Manchester United are said to be big admirers of the youngster, but would likely take a sizeable sum to prise him away from Selhurst Park.
Palace chief Steve Parish told talkSPORT he is under no pressure to sell, but admitted Wharton will likely want Champions League football in the future.
9. Arda Guler, 20 - Real Madrid (£52.8m)
Guler has been growing in importance for Real Madrid since Xabi Alonso’s arrival in the summer.
He broke through into the Fenerbache first-team at the age of 16 and was quickly snapped up by Madrid after turning 18.
The 20-year-old already has a LaLiga title and Champions League to his name and made 49 appearances in all competitions last season.
Guler already has three goals and four assists in 10 LaLiga games this season as Madrid top the table by five points.
Guler has become an important cog in Alonso's midfield
8
Guler has become an important cog in Alonso's midfieldCredit: AFP
8. Carlos Baleba, 21 - Brighton (£52.8m)
Baleba is still one of the hottest talents in world football, despite his struggles in the 2025/26 season.
Manchester United made him a top target in the summer, but gave up their pursuit for the £115m-rated man.
Brighton have ruled out a January sale, but talkSPORT understands that he remains on their six-man shortlist for next summer.
7. Estevao Willian, 18 - Chelsea (£52.8m)
The teenager has settled well at Chelsea following his move from Palmeiras in the summer.
The Blues agreed a deal back in 2024 for Estevao to move to Stamford Bridge once he turned 18.
He showed the world what he could do at the Club World Cup, putting in impressive performances, including against his future club Chelsea.
Estevao has impressed after joining Chelsea
8
Estevao has impressed after joining ChelseaCredit: Getty
This season, he has three goals and one assist in his limited appearances for the club.
6. Dean Huijsen, 20 - Real Madrid (£61.6m)
Huijsen was one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League last season, looking assured beyond his years at Bournemouth.
Real Madrid activated his £50m release clause in the summer, amid plenty of interest from the top clubs around the world.
He is already a regular for Spain too and has established himself in Xabi Alonso’s starting XI.
Huijsen joined Real Madrid in the summer for £50m
8
Huijsen joined Real Madrid in the summer for £50mCredit: Getty
5. Kenan Yildiz, 20 - Juventus (£66m)
The attacker has quietly been building himself to be one of the most promising attackers in Europe.
He left Bayern Munich in 2022 and signed for Juve as a free agent, breaking into the first team the following year.
Yildiz won Serie A Player of the Month for September, starting the new season as he means to go on.
4. Pau Cubarsi, 18 - Barcelona (£70.4m)
Barca’s La Masia academy continues to produce superstar talents with Cubarsi the latest to break into the first team.
Despite still only being 18, he has already made 90 appearances for the club and been called up several times for Spain.
The centre-back has already established himself as one of the world's best in his position.
Cubarsi has established himself as one of the best defenders in the world
8
Cubarsi has established himself as one of the best defenders in the worldCredit: Getty
3. Joao Neves, 21 - Paris Saint-Germain (£79.2m)
Neves is already one of the best midfielders in the world for the reigning Champions League winners.
PSG signed him in a deal worth up to £60m from Benfica in 2024, helping them win the treble in his first season.
The 21-year-old has already won the Nations League with Portugal too.
This season has seen him miss several weeks with injury, before making his return to the squad at the end of October.
2. Desire Doue, 20 - Paris Saint-Germain (£79.2m)
The PSG squad is packed with talent and Doue is up there with the best of the lot.
He enjoyed a breakout season in 2024-25, scoring 16 goals and providing 16 assists in 61 games as PSG won the Champions League for the first time alongside a domestic double.
However, he has endured injury problems this season and was stretchered off in tears in the draw with Lorient.
Desire Doue kisses the Champions League trophy
8
Doue helped PSG win the Champions League last seasonCredit: Getty
1. Lamine Yamal, 18 - Barcelona (£176m)
The undisputed king of the list has to be Yamal, not only one of the best young players in the world but among the best players full stop.
He came second in the Ballon d’Or voting and is the favourite to win the award in 2026.
Read More on talkSPORT
Yamal does not turn 19 until next July, but has already played 114 times for the club and 23 times for Spain.
The teenager has already won two LaLiga titles and the Euros - next on his targets will be the World Cup next summer.
Yamal came second in the Ballon d'Or in 2025
8
Yamal came second in the Ballon d'Or in 2025Credit: Getty