Two Tottenham kids included 

©TM/IMAGO

Excitement has ramped up with the 2024/25 Premier League season getting underway this weekend. It’s been almost three months since Manchester City made history by winning their fourth consecutive Premier League title with Arsenal narrowly missing out. 

It all gets underway on Friday night with Manchester United welcoming Fulham to Old Trafford with Erik ten Hag looking to banish the memories of their worst ever Premier League finish. Kobbie Mainoo was a silver lining for United and several other young talents made their breakthrough seasons. Oscar Bobb got minutes for Man City, Adam Wharton shone after moving to Crystal Palace and Lewis Miley became a first-team regular for Newcastle United. But which starlets could make their breakthrough this season? We’ve analysed eight U21 players yet to start in the Premier League with aspirations of showcasing their talent and making an impact. 

Eight U21 starlets to watch in Premier League this season

Tottenham Hotspur beat Barcelona to Lucas Bergvall’s signature in January, spending €10 million to sign the Swedish midfielder. The 18-year-old has already been capped by his country and he’s impressed in pre-season since joining Tottenham in the summer. Bergvall epitomises the modern midfielder as he’s incredibly press resistant and comfortable in possession. Bergvall needs to improve his physicality and acclimatise to the demands of English football but he’s an excellent talent, who should receive regular gametime for Ange Postecoglou’s men. 

In September 2022, Ethan Nwaneri became the youngest Premier League debutant ever aged just 15 when he was introduced against Brentford. Perhaps surprisingly, Nwaneri has only made one additional senior appearance for the Gunners with Mikel Arteta handing the second fewest minutes to U21 players in the league last season. But the 17-year-old has dazzled in pre-season and he’s expected to be a bench option for Arsenal next season. 

Liverpool are the only Premier League club yet to make a signing this summer but Trey Nyoni has emerged as an exciting prospect during pre-season. The midfielder made his senior debut against Southampton under Jurgen Klopp and he earned Arne Slot’s praise for his starring display against Real Betis in pre-season. Nyoni also grabbed his chance to impress by scoring in the 4-1 win over Sevilla at Anfield on Sunday.

Toby Collyer made his Manchester United debut off the bench in the Community Shield and he’s been used regularly in pre-season. United handed more minutes to U21 players than any other Premier League club last season with Ten Hag entrusting youth players. It’s understood that United won’t let Collyer head out on loan as there’s question marks over the futures of several midfielders in Casemiro, Scott McTominay and Christian Eriksen and the former Brighton kid could be propelled up the pecking order.

Mikey Moore is a generational talent and the best Tottenham have produced since Harry Kane. The versatile attacker signed his first professional contract on his 17th birthday on Monday. Ange Postecoglou has singled out Moore for praise during season and Transfermarkt compiled an in-depth profile on the Spurs starlet earlier this summer. The Europa League will provide the perfect platform for Moore to be integrated into the first-team and he made his Premier League debut against Manchester City last season. 

Wolves paid €10m to Sport Recife to sign Pedro Lima this summer, edging out competition from Chelsea for his signature. The 18-year-old is regarded as one of the best right-back prospects in the world and he decided to join Wolves to play regular first-team football. The Brazilian will likely start for Wolves against Arsenal on the opening day with Nelson Semedo suspended and Lima has acclimatised well since moving to England in a squad littered with Portuguese speakers. 

Pep Guardiola handed Nico O’Reilly his professional debut in Man City’s triumph over Man United in the Community Shield. It was an experimental midfield and O’Reilly is unlikely to start once City’s international’s return but he’s highly regarded. O’Reilly possesses the quality to develop into a first-team regular and City will be conscious not to let another academy graduate slip through their fingers after Cole Palmer’s impact at Chelsea. 

Newcastle United signed Alfie Harrison from Manchester City on deadline day in January and it’s regarded as a major coup. The attacking midfielder had trained with City’s first-team but he decided on moving to Newcastle in search of first-team football. Harrison has impressed with Newcastle’s youth teams and he’s expected to make his senior debut this season.