The English Premier League has the best of the best talent around the world, right? Well, as ESPN's list of the top 39 players aged 21 or under shows, that's not the case. Six of our top 20 come from Barcelona, while the Premier League has only one representative in the top 10. So, despite Chelsea's focus on trying to sign the best young talent for millions of dollars, has there been a shift in where they want to play?
For the seventh straight year (read 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 here) our resident scout Tor-Kristian Karlsen has ranked the hottest prospects around. Now 22, last year's No. 3 Jamal Musiala (of Bayern Munich) is too old to be included, while some others from 2024's top 10 -- namely Barça's Pedri, Real Madrid's Eduardo Camavinga and Man United's Rasmus Højlund -- are also over the age limit.
With multiple teams and leagues around the world, you have to cast a wide net to find the best, so we examined the game's youngest players with input from ESPN's reporters in the Netherlands, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Africa, Asia and Australia. The Premier League is still well represented but who has done enough to land a place on this year's list, what are their particular qualities, and how can they get even better?
Why 39?
For the past two years, 39 has worked well, and from an initial long list of 100 players, those remaining are the ones who best satisfied the main criteria: appearances at the highest level, consistent performance over a sustained period and the potential to develop into a top-level footballer.
What types of research were conducted?
I used a sounding board consisting of professional scouts and sporting directors from several top European clubs before deciding on the final ranking, as well as some online scouting platforms. Personal preference also played a role.
Is there a reason attacking players dominate the list?
In general, forwards get more playing time at a younger age than, say, central defenders (like PSG's Lucas Beraldo) or goalkeepers (such as Toulouse's Guillaume Restes), who tend to need more time to develop tactical awareness, positioning and understanding of the game. Beyond those who made it, other defenders considered included: Atalanta's Giorgio Scalvini (missed out through injury), Newcastle's Lewis Hall, Man City's Abdukodir Khusanov, Liverpool's Conor Bradley, and Man United's Patrick Dorgu.
It speaks volumes about the array of attacking talent that players such as Bayern Munich's Mathys Tel, Eintracht Frankfurt's Hugo Larsson, Spurs' Lucas Bergvall and Porto's Samu Aghehowa, Lyon's Rayan Cherki and Liverpool's Harvey Elliott didn't make the final cut.
Notes:
Players included must be age 21 or under on April 1, 2025.
Transfer values are taken from Transfermarkt.
Positions are: GK (goalkeeper), LB (left back), RB (right back), CB (center back), DM (defensive midfield), CM (central midfield), AM (attacking midfield), FW (forward), ST (striker).
Stats correct as of March 27 via ESPN's Global Research team.
THE LIST
39. Yankuba Minteh, FW
Club/country: Brighton / Gambia
Age: 20
Estimated transfer value: €30m
Signed from Newcastle for £30m in July 2024, Minteh took some time to emerge fully as he went on loan to Feyenoord last season, but has experienced an incredible ascent since the turn of the year and is now one of the most exciting wingers in the Premier League.
Strengths: Minteh is a terrific dribbler who makes a huge impact in the transitional phase. As a lightning-quick winger/wide midfielder, his one-on-one skills are his main weapon and his ability to shift in an instant from running to execution has served him well. At least three of his five goals this season have originated from cutting inside from the right before applying a Bukayo Saka-esque finish with his left foot.
Minteh's combinational play is also improving as he builds a deeper understanding with his teammates, and the Gambia international's defensive input deserves a mention too; he tracks back, attempts to win the ball in advanced positions, and his 2.8 tackles per 90 minutes are within the top 1% of Premier League wingers.
How he can improve: Minteh could benefit from some improved decision-making and to stop relying so much on his stronger left foot. His lack of confidence in his weaker foot narrows his options when taking on defenders -- making him slightly predictable -- and having to move the ball to the left each time can slow down his deliveries.
One key stat: He is one of two players aged 20 or younger with 8 or more goal contributions and is the only U20 player with a multigoal game in this Premier League season.
38. Nico Paz, AM
Club/country: Como / Argentina
Age: 20
Estimated transfer value: €20m
After graduating from Real Madrid's academy and accumulating only a handful of minutes for the first team last season, the Argentina international moved to Como in July for just €2m and has enjoyed a splendid first season in Serie A. He could find himself back in Madrid soon, though, as the Spanish giants inserted a clause to re-sign him for €8m if they choose.