Best 10 Breakout Young Premier League Stars This Season
The Premier League has long been a hotbed of some of the best talents in world football.
From Eric Cantona to Thierry Henry, Wayne Rooney to Cristiano Ronaldo, and Mohamed Salah to Erling Haaland, the English top flight has had some stellar names make their mark.
Given the huge financial investment that is constantly thrown into the game, the search for the very best talents is even more competitive. Some clubs develop talent within their own academy system, while others focus on bringing in unearthed gems full of potential.
With that in mind, this article delves into the youngsters who have made their breakthrough in the 2023/24 Premier League season.
Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United)
The calm and composed teenage sensation was touted for big things right from pre-season when he put in assured displays before picking up an injury that ruled him out of the early stages of the campaign.
Mainoo finally made his first league start for Manchester United in November 2023 and received the Man of The Match award in a 3–0 victory over Everton. The 18-year-old has since proved a bright spark in a tough season for United much like Alejandro Garnacho did in 2022/23.
Mainoo was awarded the Premier League Goal of the Month Award for February 2024 after a peach of a winning goal in the 97th minute against Wolves, his first league goal for the club. His performances have been so reliable that Sofyan Amrabat has fallen behind the teenager in the midfield pecking order.
Those sensational displays have recently earned him an England senior team debut in a 1–0 defeat to Brazil at Wembley Stadium.
Simon Adingra (Brighton)
The highly-rated 22-year-old made a goalscoring debut for Brighton as they defeated Luton Town 4-1 on the opening day of the Premier League season. Adingra has become a potent attacking force for Roberto De Zerbi’s men with six goals and an assist in the top flight.
The Ivory Coast international also won the AFCON 2023 Young Player of The Tournament following his last-gasp goal to send the quarterfinal against Mali to extra time and two assists with a Man of The Match performance in the final against Nigeria.
Jack Hinshelwood (Brighton)
The versatile ball-playing midfielder joined Brighton’s youth set-up at the age of seven and he is now one of the best young prospects in the Premier League. Hinshelwood made his debut on the final day of the 2022/23 season against Aston Villa and has grabbed his opportunities amidst injuries this term.
The 18-year-old has been deployed in midfield and both fullback positions due to his football intelligence and two-footedness, as well as a knack for getting forward. Hinshelwood scored his first career goal against Brentford in December and he has struck a couple more times since.
There is a feeling he is set to be a mainstay for years to come.
Destiny Udogie (Tottenham)
With the athleticism and tactical intelligence of a seasoned professional, Udogie plays way beyond his years as he’s been fundamental to Tottenham’s wonderful start under Ange Postecoglou.
The 21-year-old has produced two goals and three assists in the Premier League and a call-up to the Italy national team was only a formality. Udogie could yet cap off a breakout season at club level with a key role for Italy during Euro 2024 coming up this summer.
Conor Bradley (Liverpool)
The 20-year-old impressed on loan at Bolton last season and had to wait patiently for his opportunity this term.
A right-back who was educated as a winger, Bradley is perfectly suited to Jurgen Klopp’s style of play with his offensive threat and all-action displays. Since the Northern Irishman registered an assist on his Premier League debut in a 4–0 win over Bournemouth, he hasn’t looked back with many superb performances so far for the club.
Most notably, Bradley shone in Liverpool’s 4-1 win against Chelsea, where he scored his first senior goal and provided two assists. He was also a starter in the 2024 EFL Cup final against the same opponents, which the Reds won 1-0 after extra time.
Cole Palmer (Chelsea)
After scoring in the Community Shield and UEFA Super Cup early in the season, Palmer left Manchester City in search of more first-team football and Chelsea were grateful buyers on transfer Deadline Day.
The Blues are already getting much more than they expected as the 21-year-old has been sensational in Mauricio Pochettino’s frontline. Palmer has stepped up massively and is now a leading man in their attack, with 11 goals and eight assists in 24 league matches so far.
There have been coolly-taken penalties under intense pressure, sensational solo goals, jaw-dropping assists and overall maverick contributions to an underwhelming Chelsea side. It is hard to think where the Londoners would be without the dynamic touch of ‘Cold Palmer’.
Lewis Miley (Newcastle)
The midfielder joined the Newcastle United Academy at the age of seven and was making his Premier League debut only a decade later to become the club’s youngest-ever player.
The 2023/24 season has seen Miley go from strength to strength as injuries and suspensions opened up opportunities for game time, which he has seized by becoming the club’s youngest player to feature in the UEFA Champions League.
Miley scored his first league goal in a 3-0 win over Fulham and he has now established himself as a first-team regular with an unexpected level of maturity. The 17-year-old is set to remain crucial to Eddie Howe’s plans going forward and he is certainly one to keep an eye on.
Oscar Bobb (Manchester City)
The 20-year-old has had to wait patiently for a chance after rising up the ranks of the Manchester City academy. This season, however, Bobb has received a fair share of playing time and in December scored on his first Champions League start in a 3–2 victory against Red Star Belgrade.
Exactly a month later, the Norwegian was scoring his first Premier League goal in the 91st minute to secure a 3–2 comeback win at Newcastle United. He has also notched on the international stage with a first goal for Norway coming in November.
Bobb is an exceptional talent who is pushing for regular minutes in the forward line of arguably the best team in Europe. There is nothing more to be said about this prospect.
Malo Gusto (Chelsea)
The full-back was initially signed from Lyon in January 2023 as a vital back-up to Reece James, and the club captain’s worsening injury issues this season have afforded the 20-year-old more minutes than anticipated.
Gusto has proven up to the task as his athleticism and technical qualities have been instrumental for Chelsea from right-back. There have now been five assists in 20 league games and countless moments of superb defending alongside brilliant attacking moves.
Gusto has already earned a senior France National Team call-up and he is arguably one of the best right-backs in the league right now. Such have been his reliable performances that the Chelsea faithful have not missed James’ quality from that position.
Alex Scott (Bournemouth)
The 20-year-old turned heads in the EFL Championship with Bristol City, who were benefactors of his skill and creativity in a physically demanding league. It was only a matter of time before Premier League clubs came circling and Bournemouth were made to pay a record £25 million fee for the reigning EFL Championship Young Player of the Season.
A knee injury meant Scott did not feature in the opening months of the season, but he is gradually showing his immense quality having netted his first Premier League goal in a 3-1 defeat to Tottenham.