Updated: 21 May 2026 12:06 BST | 4 min read
Eli Kroupi, Max Dowman, Rio Ngumoha
© IMAGO
Robin Bairner
Robin Bairner | Chief Editor
Accredited football journalist and editor covering the game since 2006
Breaking into the first team of a Premier League side as a teenager is no easy task. Regardless of club, the standards demanded in England’s top-flight are so high that there is no room for error. But these five players have proven it is possible.
The 2025/26 season has seen some remarkable achievements delivered by teenagers, with several young stars emerging as contenders to become among the leading players in the world in the years to come.
Here are five who have shone the brightest.
Eli Junior Kroupi (Bournemouth)
Bournemouth took advantage of their link with Lorient last summer to snap up Kroupi, who has emerged as the brightest young goal scorer in the Premier League – if not the world. He has delivered 13 goals in 32 Premier League appearances at a rate of just over one every 100 minutes he’s been on the field.
The 19-year-old has been no flat-track bully either. He’s netted in both games against Arsenal and also struck against Manchester United on two occasions. It was his goal against Manchester City, meanwhile, that ultimately secured the league title for Arsenal.
Bournemouth have him under contract to 2030, but big clubs are already eyeing a possible summer deal.
Hat tip, too, to Kroupi’s teammate Rayan, who has shone since arriving at Bournemouth in January.
There was a buzz last summer when Liverpool whisked Ngumoha away from Chelsea to sign at Anfield, yet few might have imagined the impact the now 17-year-old would have after arriving on Merseyside.
It’s not been so much his direct goal output that has caught the imagination – although two goals and an assist in only 478 minutes has been promising – it’s the excitement that he’s brought to the game with his fearless dribbling and desire to make things happen.
If Arne Slot is sacked as Reds boss, his decision to replace Ngumoha against Chelsea, which was greeted with boos from the Anfield crowd, is likely to play a sizeable role.
Expect much more from the left winger in the years ahead.
Rio Ngumoha, Liverpool
© IMAGO - Rio Ngumoha, Liverpool
Estevao (Chelsea)
Chelsea’s transfer policy has been hit-and-miss when it comes to recruiting young talent, yet there is little doubt that BlueCo got it right when they signed up Estevao from Palmeiras last summer. Already, the €45 million they paid for the Brazilian is starting to look good value.
The 19-year-old has returned eight goals and four assists across all competitions this season and notably hit three in seven in the Champions League. He was outstanding against Barcelona.
Another fearless, direct winger, there is so much more to come from him if he can overcome the injury issues that have hampered his impact in the second half of the season.
Arsenal have long been excited about the impact that Max Dowman will make at the club, and while he has only played 91 Premier League minutes, the promise that the young attacking midfielder has is already evident.
He was handed his top-flight debut as a substitute against Leeds back in August and promptly delivered an assist in a 5-0 win. The hype on grew when he became the youngest scorer in Premier League history when he netted against Everton in March.
Ankle problems have prevented him from making more of an impact, but his potential is already evident.
Max Dowman, Arsenal
© IMAGO - Max Dowman, Arsenal
Jaydee Canvot – Crystal Palace
While the focus of this list has been on attacking prospects, don’t sleep on what Jaydee Canvot has done in the middle of the Crystal Palace defence, having been asked to replace Marc Guehi in the second half of the season.
The young Frenchman was signed from Toulouse last summer and handed a formidable job for Oliver Glasner’s side. He has approached it impressively, turning in a string of very steady performances.
While there is room for error among young attackers, centre-backs don’t have that luxury. Any mistake can cost a goal. Canvot’s ability to establish himself as a starter in South London aged just 19 and in his first season in England is, therefore, all the more impressive.