Each Premier League club's potential breakout star in 2026/27

Football writer Sam Cunningham identifies the young players most likely to enjoy a breakthrough season at each Premier League club in 2026/27.

Max Dowman (Arsenal) - 16, attacking midfielder

One of the most exciting players of his generation. Dowman set records tumbling last season: the youngest to play in the UEFA Champions League, before turning 16, then the youngest to score in the Premier League and then win the title after his birthday in December. Expectations are extraordinarily high for the season ahead in which he is likely to get more game time under manager Mikel Arteta.

Watch: Dowman's historic goal against Everton in 25/26

Brian Madjo (Aston Villa) - 17, striker 

Madjo was signed from Metz in January and has given head coach Unai Emery plenty to consider with his powerful performances in pre-season. Tall and commanding, he is regarded as one of the most promising young strikers in Europe and could be handed a chance in the first team this season after recently receiving clearance from FIFA to register for Aston Villa.

The teenager has underlined his potential by scoring five goals in pre-season, the joint-most among Premier League players alongside Joao Pedro. His tally includes a strike against UEFA Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday night.

Veljko Milosavljevic (Bournemouth) - 19, centre-back

The sale of Marcos Senesi to Tottenham Hotspur has created a space in Marco Rose’s defence and could present an opportunity for the young Serb. After signing from Red Star Belgrade last year, Milosavljevic already has seven Premier League appearances to his name – including making more clearances than any team-mate on his debut against Brighton & Hove Abion. He has also now played twice for Serbia.

Kaye Furo (Brentford) - 19, forward

A prolific goalscorer at youth level, Brentford have high hopes for the 6ft 3in forward. Furo was signed from Club Brugge in January, where he had already scored in the Belgian top flight. "His attributes are ones I like and feel we can develop within the environment we have created,” Brentford head coach Keith Andrews said. “I have no doubt he will be a big player for us."

Zadok Yohanna (Brighton) - 19, forward

Brighton are renowned for unearthing gems and Yohanna could well be the next find. The south coast club signed the Nigerian from AIK this summer for a Swedish record fee. Bold and direct, Yohanna led the way in the Swedish top flight for the most dribbles per match, most take-ons into the box and most take-ons inside the box, and he had the joint-most take-ons that led to a shot.

Reggie Watson (Chelsea) - 16, defensive midfielder 

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso said he was “impressed” by Watson, the son of former Wigan Athletic, Crystal Palace and Watford midfielder Ben Watson, after giving him first-team experience during pre-season. The tall defensive midfielder is composed on the ball and was part of Chelsea youth teams who won the Southern and National Premier League titles.

George Shepherd (Coventry) - 17, midfielder 

Local lad Shepherd played several times for Coventry’s Under-21s last season and caught the eye of head coach Frank Lampard. He trained with the first team and was named on the bench for games against Blackburn Rovers and Watford. “He’s impressed me with his training, his work ethic and he’s a really good lad,” Lampard said.

Joel Drakes-Thomas (Crystal Palace) - 17, forward

Drakes-Thomas became Crystal Palace’s youngest player in the Premier League and UEFA Conference League last season, well before his 17th birthday. The forward started his first senior match in the FA Cup against Macclesfield Town and was frequently named on the bench in matchday squads.

Harrison Armstrong (Everton) - 19, midfielder

What heights can Armstrong reach as he continues to stake a claim for a place in Everton’s first team? The midfielder has already appeared 16 times across the last two seasons and could be a key figure this season. "He's not looked out of place in the Premier League,” manager David Moyes said. “That's the biggest compliment I could give Harrison.”

Jonah Kusi-Asare (Fulham) - 19, forward

The 6ft 5in forward was prolific for Fulham’s Under-21s and made 10 first-team appearances while on loan from Bayern Munich last season. The club were impressed enough to make the deal permanent in the summer.

Calvin Okike (Hull) - 18, defender

Okike, who can play at left-back or in central defence, was Hull’s academy player of the year for 2025/26. The Nigerian was around the first team last season, and was on the bench for a Championship match against Norwich City. He also starred for the Under-21s and impressed while on loan at National League club Hartlepool United.

Luca Fletcher (Ipswich) - 19, forward

The pacey forward came through Manchester City’s academy, part of sides who reached FA Youth Cup finals in 2024 and 2025. Last season, he went on loan to Ipswich and scored six times in Premier League 2 (PL2). After Fletcher signed permanently, manager Gary O’Neil has taken notice of his progression.

Alfie Cresswell (Leeds) - 19, midfielder

Since shining for the Under-21s, Cresswell is edging closer to the first team, following in the footsteps of his father, Richard, and older brother, Charlie, who both played for the club. The midfielder captained the Under-21s last season and made the bench for the seniors in Leeds’s last two Premier League games.

Rio Ngumoha (Liverpool) - 17, winger

After announcing himself with a dramatic Premier League debut winner against Newcastle, Ngumoha is considered one of the brightest teenage talents in Europe. He made 29 appearances for the first team last season, adding another goal against Fulham, and was handed his England debut in a friendly against New Zealand. It could be a huge season ahead.

Watch: Ngumoha’s stunning goal v Fulham in 25/26

Ryan McAidoo (Man City) - 18, winger

McAidoo has excelled in City’s highly competitive academy. He scored five times and set up seven goals in PL2 last season – his goal involvements surpassed only by team-mate Reigan Heskey who left the club this summer. New Man City head coach Enzo Maresca described him as “the type of winger I love” after watching him shine in a pre-season friendly against Internazionale Milano.

Watch: McAidoo's goal v Exeter in the FA Cup last season

JJ Gabriel (Man Utd) - 15, forward

Gabriel started training with the first team shortly after he turned 15 and head coach Michael Carrick asked him to join them on their pre-season tour in the summer. Gabriel came off the bench and impressed in a friendly against Atletico Madrid. Last season, he scored over 20 goals, winning the club’s young player of the season award and named the Under-18 Premier League Player of the Season. He will become Man Utd’s youngest Premier League player if handed his debut this season.

Watch: JJ Gabriel's sensational double for Man Utd's U18s

Park Seung-soo (Newcastle) - 19, winger

The South Korean attempted 4.7 dribbles per 90 minutes in PL2 last season and his direct, brave style might see him play in the first team this season. With Anthony Gordon’s departure to Barcelona, there are likely to be more opportunities for Park to demonstrate his abilities on the left wing.

Kalum Thompson (Nottingham Forest) - 17, winger

Thompson was Forest’s scholar of the year for his performances last season. At 16 years old, he was playing for the club’s Under-21s and his six goal involvements in PL2 were the most of any Forest player.

Chris Rigg (Sunderland) - 19, midfielder

Rigg is expected to be a central figure for Sunderland as they embark on a second season back in the top flight and a first European campaign in 53 years. The teenager starred as they won promotion to the Premier League in 2024/25, then made 18 appearances in the top flight last season.

Watch: Rigg's goal in pre-season v York

Luca Williams-Barnett (Spurs) - 17, attacking midfielder/forward

The skilful forward has stood out in Spurs’ pre-season friendlies and head coach Roberto De Zerbi hailed him as a "precious diamond". Last season, he began playing for the Under-18s, but was regularly part of the first-team squad, making his debut in an EFL Cup match against Doncaster Rovers. In PL2, he registered 1.25 goal involvements per 90 minutes.

Watch: Williams-Barnett's Panenka penalty v Sydney FC