Dowman, Ngumoha set to shine in 2025-26: Premier League's top young talents to watch this season

Sports Mole looks at the top young talents to keep your eye on in the 2025-26 Premier League campaign, including Max Dowman and Rio Ngumoha.

The Premier League has long showcased some of the world's brightest young talents, and as the 2025-26 season quickly approaches, a select group of players appear poised to emerge and make a lasting impact on one of the biggest stages in club football.

These players have already shown glimpses of their ability at the highest level and possess a blend of technical skill and physical readiness that suggests they could be the standout young talents of the upcoming campaign.

With expectations mounting ahead of potentially breakout seasons, here, Sports Mole looks at some of the most exciting young prospects to keep your eye on in the 2025-26 Premier League campaign.

Dowman is just 15 years old but has long been a standout figure within Arsenal's academy, with many touting the youngster to be the future of the football club.

The winger has begun more frequently training with the senior side and has even been involved in Arsenal's pre-season preparations ahead of the 2025-26 campaign, and Dowman has certainly impressed in his first matches for the Gunners senior team.

Dowman's three substitute appearances have come against AC Milan, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur, and the 15-year-old was particularly impressive against the Magpies, even winning a penalty against Joelinton after an impressive run into the penalty area.

The left-footed midfielder/winger possesses excellent technical ability, vision and a superb assuredness on the ball, drawing many comparisons to fellow Hale End graduates Bukayo Saka and Ethan Nwaneri - who only had his breakout season last term.

Dowman will be able to feature for Mikel Arteta's team in the upcoming campaign, and while his minutes may be limited in his first experiences of senior competitive football, we expect the youngster to demonstrate his talents against some of the world's best players.

Ngumoha is another budding talent that has made the most of his opportunities during pre-season, with the 16-year-old scoring two and assisting two in four appearances for Liverpool throughout their summer preparations ahead of the upcoming campaign.

Ngumoha has already made his competitive debut for Liverpool, playing 72 minutes in a 4-0 win over Accrington Stanley in the third round of the FA Cup last term - becoming the youngest player to play in the competition in the club's history.

Given his brilliance during their pre-season campaign, including scoring and assisting in the first five minutes of Liverpool's 4-1 win over Athletic Bilbao, as well as the departure of Luis Diaz, and the 16-year-old is anticipated to see much more senior action this term.

With his explosive pace, direct dribbling ability and confidence to break forward and take on opponents, Ngumoha has all the attributes to announce himself as one of the league's most talented young players.

One of two defenders that could be on this list from Manchester United, Heaven makes the cut above teammate Leny Yoro as the French defender has already made 93 senior appearances at club level for Lille and Man Utd, including playing 33 times last term.

In comparison, Heaven has played just seven senior competitive matches - one for Arsenal and six for Manchester United - but the defender has certainly shown his promising potential in those limited minutes.

Heaven, who joined the Red Devils in February 2025, has demonstrated a formidable defensive prowess on the left side of Ruben Amorim's back three system, with his physicality and understanding of the game allowing him to defend against even the toughest of opponents.

In addition, thanks to playing as a defensive midfielder throughout his formative years, Heaven possesses a superb ability on the ball, capable of driving forward with powerful runs or striking an incisive pass into a midfield or attacking player - both of which are hugely important to the way Amorim's back three are asked to play.

Heaven is expected to feature much more regularly for Man United throughout the 2025-26 campaign, and we believe that the 18-year-old could establish himself as one of the top centre-back prospects in world football throughout the season.

Josh King also made his debut in senior football last season, replacing Sander Berge to play the final 25 minutes in Fulham's 2-0 victory over Birmingham City in the second round of the EFL Cup in August 2024, while he earned his first Premier League start in December against Southampton.

Despite possessing a slim frame and standing at just 5'8", the midfielder is an extremely strong runner with the ball, able to nimbly weave his way between opposition defenders and hold off any potential challengers, while also having a keen eye for a pass.

King ended the campaign with 11 appearances for Fulham across all competitions, and having impressed in those outings, the 18-year-old is expected to play an even bigger role for the Cottagers in 2025-26 - and we are backing him to be one of the brightest young players next term.

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