26 September 2026
Every manager game has the same first move: find the teenagers who'll be worth ten times as much in three years, and get them before the AI does. Real life is the best scouting report there is, so here are the young Premier League players worth chasing this season, whatever you're playing.
We've stuck to players under 21 at the start of 2026/27 who are either already in a first team or very close to it.
Max Dowman, Arsenal, 16. The most talked-about teenager in England. Youngest ever Champions League debutant, youngest ever Premier League goalscorer (against Everton), six league appearances and a winner's medal last season. Arsenal will be careful with him, but he's a starter in waiting. In any game with a realistic database, he's the most expensive 16-year-old on the planet and still worth it.
Rio Ngumoha, Liverpool, 17. Started five league games last season and looked electric in all of them. Pace, dribbling, and a finish that's improving. With Liverpool in transition under Iraola, this is his season to become a regular.
Estevao, Chelsea, 19. Arrived from Palmeiras with an enormous reputation and has lived up to most of it. A proper first-team player already, so not cheap, but the ceiling is as high as anyone's in the league.
Kobbie Mainoo, Manchester United, 21. Right at the top of the age bracket but included because he's the model: technically complete, already a full international, and still improving.
Brian Madjo, Aston Villa, 17. Scored on his debut in the Super Cup against PSG after Villa won an appeal to play him before his 18th birthday. Five goals in pre-season. Emery has a lot of forwards, but he's forced his way into the conversation.
Luca Williams-Barnett, Tottenham, 17. De Zerbi called him a potential special player after pre-season. A creative midfielder who needs to add physicality, which is the usual story at 17. Spurs are building around youth and he's part of it.
Trey Nyoni, Liverpool, 18. Was expected to go on loan, stayed after impressing Iraola in pre-season. A deep midfielder who's comfortable under pressure. Might not start many games, but he'll play.
JJ Gabriel, Manchester United, 15. Doesn't turn 16 until October. Scored 20 in 21 for the under-18s last season and won the U18 Premier League Player of the Season. Can't sign a professional contract yet, which in most games means you can't buy him either, but keep an eye out.
Nico O'Reilly, Manchester City, 21. Another at the top of the bracket. Won a lot of admirers last season as a versatile midfielder and full-back, and Maresca's system suits him.
These signed for Premier League clubs this summer and are worth a look because their value hasn't caught up with their ability yet.
Marco Palestra, Chelsea, 21. Serie A's best defender last season at Atalanta, a full-back who can play either side and carries the ball like a winger.
Johan Manzambi, Aston Villa, 20. One of the standout young players at the World Cup, with five goal contributions for Switzerland. Villa paid a club record for him as the Morgan Rogers replacement.
Luka Vuskovic, 19. A 6ft 4in centre-back who made the Bundesliga team of the season and was Croatia's youngest ever World Cup player. Now at Tottenham.
Josh Abe, Marli Salmon, Sean Steur, Landon Emenalo. Academy players who travelled with senior squads in pre-season and might get minutes if injuries hit. In a manager game these are the ones you sign for nothing and loan out.
Adam Wharton, Crystal Palace, 22. Just over the age line but included as a warning: he'll be linked with every big club by January and his price will double.
Buy young, play them when you can, and sell one big every summer to fund the next two. The trick is to find the player whose real-world reputation is one season behind his ability. Right now that's Ngumoha, Madjo and Palestra.
If you're playing Manager of Football, the same rule applies: the youngsters are cheaper than they should be at the start of the season, and considerably less so by May. Play it free in your browser.
For a free football manager game live for the 2026-27 season, check out www.manageroffootball.com.