London’s top 50 youngsters: best academy stars across the capital
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London is full of talented young football players, and they could make London’s football scene even better.
It’s really important to develop young players. Football clubs have always cared about their academy players, but now they’re even more focused on making them into valuable assets.
The big goal is to find talented young players and turn them into stars. Players like Bukayo Saka, Reece James, Harry Kane, and Declan Rice have all come through the ranks of London’s top academies in recent years.
Nowadays, homegrown players are super important to clubs. When clubs sell academy players, they make a lot of money, which helps them keep their finances in order.
Some fans might be sad to see their favorite homegrown players leave, but selling them can help clubs spend more on new players. That means there’s a big competition to find the best young talents.
Brexit rules have made it even harder for clubs to sign young players from Europe, adding to the competition between London clubs.
The talent in Premier League academies is really strong right now. More and more players from these academies are proving they’re good enough to play in the big leagues.
Players like Kobbie Mainoo from Manchester United and some young Liverpool players are doing really well. This season, young players are getting more playing time than before.
People are really valuing young players right now, and London keeps producing a lot of talented players.
There are some really young players making waves too. Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri became the youngest player in Premier League history when he debuted at just 15 years and 181 days old. Tottenham’s Mikey Moore is also expected to do big things, and Chelsea’s academy is getting a lot of support from its new owners. Even teams outside of the top league, like Millwall’s Under-18s, are doing well.
There are so many talented young players in London right now, from goal-scorers to defenders. Here are 50 players, all under 18, who we think will become big names in London’s football scene.
Arsenal
Amario Cozier-Duberry (18, Forward)
Amario may have taken a bit longer to shine, but now he’s a big deal in Arsenal’s academy. He helped the team get to the FA Youth Cup Final last season. Jack Wilshere, the Under-18s manager, says he plays a lot like Bukayo Saka. You’ll often spot him on the bench for the main team.
Myles Lewis-Skelly (17, Midfielder)
Myles is a talented midfielder. The coaches think he could become a great left-back, kind of like Oleksandr Zinchenko. Right now, he feels he’s at his best as a No6 or No8. He’s learning a lot from watching Declan Rice. Also, his mom runs a podcast to help parents in the sports industry.
Ayden Heaven (17, Defender)
Ayden’s a tall guy who’s good at playing defense or midfield. He likes to use his size to make an impact on the game. Arsenal picked him up when he was 13 after West Ham let him go. He even got a spot on the bench for a Champions League match against Porto recently.
Josh Nichols (17, Defender)
Josh used to play for Chelsea, West Ham, and Tottenham before joining Arsenal’s Hale End. He’s learned to play more centrally from the right side, kind of like how Ben White does for the main team under Mikel Arteta. He’s also been focusing on improving his attacking skills.
You deserve this, Ethan ❤️ pic.twitter.com/X0gw2e51IE
— Arsenal Academy (@ArsenalAcademy) September 18, 2022
Ethan Nwaneri (16, Midfielder)
At just 15 years and 181 days old, Ethan Nwaneri made history in 2022 by becoming the youngest player ever in the Premier League. He shines best as either a No. 8 or No. 10, where he excels at controlling the ball, dribbling past opponents, and making significant contributions in attack. Arsenal secured him against interest from Chelsea and Manchester City, and he’s now poised to sign his first professional contract.
Chido Obi-Martin (16, Forward)
Chido Obi-Martin became an internet sensation in November after scoring an impressive 10 goals for Arsenal Under-16s in a 14-3 victory over Liverpool. Standing at over 6 feet tall, this Danish striker has garnered attention for his imposing physique, speed, and sharp finishing skills. Major European clubs like Ajax and Borussia Dortmund are already keeping tabs on him.
Max Dowman (14, Midfielder)
Despite being just 13 when he debuted for Arsenal Under-18s, Max Dowman has shown remarkable talent as a left-footed playmaker. Playing beyond his years, he’s already a part of the England Under-16 squad, known for his precise ball control and ability to create scoring opportunities with his passing.
Andre Grey (18, Defender)
Coaches say Andre is a smart and forward-thinking defender. He came up through the Kinetic Academy Programme, which helps young players balance school and football. Last year, he joined Brentford from Corinthian Casuals, a non-League team partnered with Kinetic.
Ollie Shield (17, Forward)
Ollie sees himself as similar to Mo Salah because he plays directly and can outmaneuver opponents one-on-one. He joined Brentford from Southampton last year and has done well in his first season. Ollie has a twin brother who plays for Plymouth Argyle.
Omaru King (17, Forward)
Omaru is the most promising player in Brentford’s Under-18s team, which started again in 2022. He’s a winger who admires Eberechi Eze and plays a lot like him, taking on defenders with close control. Omaru, like Andre, also came from Corinthian Casuals through the Kinetic program.
What a goal from Tyrique George in our U18s draw with Crystal Palace yesterday! ???? pic.twitter.com/MHjFs7XQwo
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) April 23, 2023
Chelsea
Tyrique George (18, Forward)
Tyrique George is a fast and direct player on the wings for Chelsea. He’s a standout in the Chelsea academy, known for scoring powerful long-range goals with both feet. He might soon play with the senior team, as he’s trained with them many times and made a good impression on Mauricio Pochettino.
Somto Boniface (18, Defender)
Somto Boniface is a versatile player on the left side of the field for Chelsea. He can play as a full-back or wing-back. Last season, he was named Chelsea Academy Scholar of the Year for his impressive runs and accurate crosses into the box. Coaches at Cobham rate him highly among other talented players.
Donnell McNeilly (18, Forward)
Donnell McNeilly is another speedy and strong forward for Chelsea. Despite being small, he’s great at scoring goals and setting up teammates. He’s in contention to be the top scorer in the Under-18s league, with Chelsea aiming for the South Division title.
Michael Golding (17, Midfielder)
Michael Golding is the youngest player to debut for the first team under Pochettino this season. He’s an attacking midfielder with good leadership qualities. He’s already captained England’s Under-16 and Under-17 teams. In his brief nine-minute appearance against Preston in the FA Cup, he almost scored and provided an assist at Stamford Bridge.
Kiano Dyer (17 years old, Midfielder)
Kiano is a smart and skilled midfielder who can play in different positions in the midfield. He got good at Chelsea fast after moving from West Brom in 2020. At just 15, he played his first game for the Under-18s. This season, he even trained with the main team when there were lots of injuries.
Kai Crampton (17 years old, Goalkeeper)
Kai is an exciting goalie talent. He already played for Concord Rangers, a team in the Isthmian League, during a short loan this season. He’s also part of Chelsea’s Under-17 team, which made it to the Premier League Cup Final after beating Manchester City recently.
Ollie Harrison (16 years old, Midfielder)
Ollie is the youngest player to be on Chelsea’s bench since Pochettino took over. He was there for their match against Manchester City in February, which ended in a draw. Ollie is a tall midfielder who came from Newcastle last summer. People say he plays like Michael Carrick.
Landon Emenalo (16 years old, Midfielder)
Landon is the son of Michael Emenalo, who used to be the technical director at Chelsea. He’s a left-footed midfielder who can play different roles on the field. Chelsea’s coaches at Cobham were impressed by him, so he moved quickly through the academy.
Crystal Palace
Zach Marsh (18, Forward)
Zach has been on fire this season, scoring an impressive 16 goals in just 12 games for the Under-18s Premier League. He’s even netted hat-tricks against Southampton, Fulham, Tottenham, and most recently, West Ham.
David Ozoh (18, Midfielder)
David is considered one of the top prospects in the Palace academy. Despite his young age, he’s already played nine times for the first team this season. He showed his strength and skill on the field, notably helping the team secure a 2-2 draw against Manchester City when he came on in December.
Mofe Jemide (17, Defender)
Mofe is a modern-day center-back who’s comfortable with the ball and has a knack for making accurate long passes. He’s a strong leader too, having captained the Palace Under-18s at times this season. He was also part of the England squad that made it to the quarter-finals of the Under-17s Euros last year.
Jesse Derry (16, Forward)
Jesse is a versatile winger who can play well on either the left or right side. He made his Under-18s debut last season and has since become a regular starter. His talent even earned him a spot on the England Under-17s team in September.
Samuel Lusale (16, Forward)
Samuel is a skillful winger known for his goal-scoring ability. He recently made his debut for Slovakia Under-17s and made an immediate impact by assisting their winning goal in a Euros qualifier against Switzerland. He’s been making waves for the Palace Under-18s this season too.
Fulham
Luc de Fougerolles (18 years old, Defender)
He might not be the tallest defender out there, but Luc makes up for it with his boldness in the air. Coaches at Fulham admire his consistency, and he showed his skills in his senior debut during a Carabao Cup victory against Ipswich in November. Plus, he’s been noticed by the Canada senior team, as he’s eligible to play for them through his father.
Callum Osmand (18 years old, Forward)
Callum is a speedy and skilled forward with a knack for finding the back of the net. He’s been in excellent form this season, scoring an impressive 17 goals for Fulham Under-18s. His lightning-fast pace is his trademark, and he really caught everyone’s attention with a stunning bicycle kick goal against Brentford last year.
90+7' Callum Osmand scores from a bicycle kick ????
— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) September 17, 2023
90+11' Ollie O'Neill unleashes a rocket ????
Just two of the six from #FFCU21s' win at Brentford… pic.twitter.com/gGBMarQurH
Josh King (17, Midfielder)
Josh is really good at dribbling and can play in any part of the midfield, but he likes playing as the No10 the most. He works hard to stop the other team and has started scoring more goals too. When he was younger, he was the captain of England’s Under-16 team. Now, he’s signed his first professional contract because he’s such an important player for Fulham Under-21s.
Jonathan Esenga (17, Defender)
Jonathan plays as a left-back and he’s been doing great for Fulham Under-21s this season. He got even better when he moved up to play with older players before the season started. Some people think he might end up playing in the middle of the defense eventually. Last month, he hurt his hamstring, and it might mean he can’t play for the rest of the season.
Seth Ridgeon (16, Midfielder)
Seth is a really exciting attacking midfielder. He usually plays on the left side, but he can also play in the middle. He’s tricky for the other team’s defenders because they can’t predict what he’ll do. Seth scores goals a lot, no matter what level he’s playing at. He just turned 16 in January, but he’s already playing with older players in the Under-18s to see how well he does.
Tottenham
Tyrese Hall (18, Midfielder)
Tyrese Hall is a young midfielder, just 18 years old. He’s been chosen to play for the England Under-19s team, which is a big deal. He’s really good at making scoring opportunities for his team, and he can use both feet equally well. He’s also great at dribbling the ball and scoring goals himself. His impressive performances for Spurs have caught the attention of Manchester City.
Leo Black (18, Defender)
Leo Black, also 18, has been having a fantastic season. He’s shown that he can play well in different positions, and he’s really comfortable with the ball. He’s even played as a right-back in a unique way that caught the eye of Ange Postecoglou. Leo has improved a lot over the past year and a half at Spurs, and he’s just been picked for the England Under-18s team for the first time.
Callum Olusesi (17, Midfielder)
Callum Olusesi, aged 17, is another talented player in Tottenham’s youth setup. He’s known for his ability to score goals from midfield, and people are starting to notice. Last season, he was part of the Spurs teams that won both the Under-17 and Under-18 Premier League Cups. Now, he’s likely to sign a new contract with the club because other top European clubs are interested in him.
Mikey Moore (16, Forward)
Many believe Mikey to be one of the best young talents in London. He’s a strong, skilled player with an impressive build. People love watching him dribble and score goals. Last season, he played a key role in Spurs winning the Premier League Cup, scoring two amazing goals in the Under-17 Final against Nottingham Forest.
Malachi Hardy (16, Defender)
Malachi is already taller than six feet and is the captain of England’s Under-16 team. He’s showing great potential as a central defender. Recently, he made his debut for Spurs’ Under-18 team and has been praised for his calm and mature style of play, both when defending and when his team has the ball.
Junai Byfield (15, Defender)
Junai is a tall and strong centre-back. Although he’s not yet old enough to officially join Spurs as a scholar, he consistently impresses while playing for their Under-16 team. He’s comfortable with the ball at his feet and has caught the attention of England’s youth teams.
Luca Williams-Barnett (15, Forward)
Luca is an attacking midfielder who usually plays on the left wing. He’s already gaining a reputation for his impressive skills, dribbling, and fantastic goal-scoring abilities. Both Tottenham and England have high hopes for him, and he’s been a standout performer for Spurs’ Under-16 team this season.
West Ham
Oliver Scarles (18, Midfielder)
Oliver is a talented player who can play in different positions, like left-back or midfield. He made his debut for West Ham when he was just 16, playing in the Europa Conference League in 2022. This year, he’s been on the bench for Premier League games a few times. With Aaron Cresswell likely leaving in the summer, Oliver might get more chances to play in the main team.
Lewis Orford (18, Midfielder)
Lewis is great with the ball and knows how to score goals. He was part of the talented group that won the FA Youth Cup last season. Being a lifelong fan of West Ham, he joined the club when he was only five. Although he hasn’t played for the senior team yet, like Oliver, he’s been part of the squad for recent games.
Josh Ajala (17, Forward)
Josh is a speedy striker who can use both feet well. He joined West Ham from Chelsea last summer and has quickly shown his goal-scoring skills. He was a top scorer for Chelsea’s youth teams and has already scored 11 goals this season for West Ham’s Under-18 team, who are leading the Under-18 Premier League South.
@westham Dan Rigge, remember the name ???? #WestHam #Football #WHUFC ♬ Aggressive Infernal Funk – DJ Oliver Mendes
Daniel Rigge (17, Midfielder)
Daniel is an attacking midfielder who likes taking risks and creating opportunities. He’s also good at scoring goals, as seen in his recent hat-trick against Aston Villa. He’s become an important player for Kevin Keen’s team this season.
Emeka Adiele (17, Defender)
Emeka is a dynamic left wing-back known for his attacking abilities. In his first full season with the Under-18s, he’s already made an impact with four goals and four assists. He’s considered one of the best prospects in the West Ham academy.
Chinaza Nwosu (15, Midfielder)
Chinaza is a strong midfielder with good passing skills. He’s impressed the academy coaches with his eagerness to learn. Despite being the youngest on this list, he’s been a regular for England’s Under-16 team this season, even winning a tournament in November. There’s a lot of excitement about his future at West Ham.
Millwall
Romain Esse (18, Midfielder)
Romain is an attacking midfielder who’s really versatile. He can play in different spots behind the main striker. He’s quick, skilled at dribbling, and has solid technical skills. Romain’s been playing regularly for Millwall’s main squad ever since he scored the winning goal against Middlesbrough at the start of the Championship season.
Josh Stephenson (18, Midfielder)
Josh led the Millwall Under-18s to a surprising victory over Chelsea in the FA Youth Cup quarter-finals last month. The team now gears up to face Leeds in the semis. Josh is a lefty who’s speedy, good at handling the ball, and isn’t afraid to get physical in midfield.
Kavalli Heywood (17, Forward)
Kavalli is the go-to guy for scoring in Millwall’s youth team, which is doing really well in the FA Youth Cup. He’s a solid finisher and can also dribble well to relieve pressure from the team when they’re under attack.
QPR
Charlie Street (age 15, Defender)
Charlie plays in the center of the defense and was recently chosen to join the Wales Under-16s team. He’s really good at passing the ball to his teammates. He’s done a great job playing for the Rangers’ academy teams this year. Plus, he’s good at scoring goals, so he can also play in midfield if needed.
Micah Mbick has signed his first professional contract with the club ????
— Charlton Athletic FC (@CAFCofficial) December 4, 2023
Congratulations, Micah! ????#cafc | @CharltonAcademy | @ValleyGold
Charlton
Patrick Casey (18, Forward)
Patrick is a really good goal scorer. Last year, he scored 42 goals for Charlton’s Under-18 and Under-21 teams. This year, he’s scored 31 more goals! He even got to play for the senior team once, coming in as a substitute against Oxford on New Year’s Day. His old coach says he’s like a player from the past because he puts a lot of pressure on defenders.
Micah Mbick (17, Forward)
Micah is another player who’s good at scoring goals. He’s played five times for Charlton this season and scored his first senior goal just three minutes into his first game in the FA Cup. Like Patrick, he wants to keep up Charlton’s tradition of having talented players.
Leyton Orient:
Dan Carter (16, Midfielder)
Dan is a really smart and skilled player who plays in midfield for Leyton Orient’s Under-18 team. His team has been playing really well this year. They didn’t lose any games in 2024 and got promoted to a higher league level. They hadn’t played at this level for seven years!
Justin Clarke: Our youngest ever senior player at the age of 15 and another talent from @AFCWAcademy ????
— AFC Wimbledon (@AFCWimbledon) November 18, 2023
Love to see it! ???? #AFCW ???????? pic.twitter.com/nv2K11gIEs
AFC Wimbledon
Kai Jennings (age 17, Midfielder)
He’s the leader of Wimbledon’s Under-18 team and this year, he made his way into the main team, playing three games. His talent caught the eye of Johnnie Jackson. He loves being in possession of the ball, moving it forward, and making opportunities. He was first noticed when he played at a session organized by AFC Wimbledon Foundation in Wimbledon Park, 12 years ago.
Justin Clarke (age 15, Forward)
Justin became the youngest player to debut for Wimbledon’s main team in November, when he was just 15. Before joining Wimbledon, he spent some time at Chelsea. He scored lots of goals while playing for Wimbledon’s Under-16 team, so he was moved up to older age groups.
