15 Best U21 English Players in World Football (2025)

English football has produced some incredible players over the years. From the likes of Bobby Moore and Bobby Charlton, who helped deliver the 1966 World Cup, to the Golden Generation of Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Wayne Rooney, and co.

As things stand, the current crop has some very special names too. Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka immediately spring to mind. Before long, this modern era will be boosted by a few more shining lights. Jude Bellingham, for instance, has already established himself as a key man in the Three Lions setup, while Arsenal’s teenage duo of Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly look destined for notable international careers.

This leads to a key question: Who are the best under-21 England players right now? With one eye naturally drawn to the 2026 World Cup, here’s a closer look at the best young talents in the country right now who may feature in the tournaments of the future.

Ranking Factors

• Senior club appearances
• Senior England appearances
• Transfer value
• Importance to their team
• Appearances in European competitions
• Potential

Related

25 Best Young Players in World Football (Ranked)

The most gifted young footballers on the planet have been ranked in order.

15

Jobe Bellingham (19)

Sunderland

The younger brother of Real Madrid superstar Jude, Jobe Bellingham is busy carving out his own career right now with Championship side Sunderland. Another all-action type midfielder, Bellingham is propelling the Black Cats’ push for promotion back to the Premier League in this current 2024/2025 campaign.

11 goals and four assists in 82 matches across all competitions thus far for Sunderland is an indication of the kind of potential he has, and it is no surprise that clubs already in the top-flight are reportedly interested in securing his services ahead of next season. If the younger Bellingham can be even almost as good as his older brother, then England has another superstar in the making.

14

Carney Chukwuemeka (21)

Chelsea

Aston Villa clearly thought very highly of Carney Chukwuemeka as they handed him a Premier League debut when he was still only 17. Chelsea were obviously aware of his talents too, as they convinced him to head to west London in the summer of 2022.

Unfortunately, fitness issues have slowed his momentum with the Blues so far, but his quality has shone through in glimpses. Chukwuemeka won the trust of Mauricio Pochettino too, starting the first two Premier League games of the 2023/24 season (scoring in one) before getting injured. If he can keep himself healthy, Chukwuemeka could earn the faith of Enzo Maresca at Stamford Bridge, but with just two appearances to his name so far this season, he is a little off the first-team squad

13

Lewis Miley (18)

Newcastle United

Often a young player needs to be in the right place at the right time to break into the senior team and this has very much been the case for Lewis Miley. Still only 18, the young midfielder has already starred in some vital games for Newcastle – including Champions League ties against Paris Saint-Germain, AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund.

As talented as he is, Miley may not have gotten his chance had Sandro Tonali not been hit with a 10-month ban in August 2023 for betting before an injury crisis swept across the rest of the senior squad. Since things have normalised at St James’, the teenager has taken a backseat role, but he is still a star waiting to burst.

12

Alex Scott (21)

Bournemouth

Alex Scott’s lofty reputation was reflected by the £25m fee Bournemouth splashed on the former Bristol City midfielder in the summer of 2023. Injury has prevented him from showing his absolute best for the Cherries so far, but he offered flickers and flashes of his abundant talent.

On a rare Premier League start during his debut season, Scott slalomed between a queue of Fulham players, dancing his way into the box before teeing up Justin Kluivert for a simple finish. He is still not a regular started at the Vitality Stadium, but Scott is getting plenty of game time and becoming a more established figure at his club.

11

Omari Hutchinson (21)

Ipswich Town

Having come through the Arsenal academy, Omari Hutchinson made the brave move to leave the Gunners to join Premier League rivals Chelsea and join their set-up. It was a decision that the talented winger would not have taken lightly, and while he was then sent out on loan to Ipswich Town, there is no doubt that he is beginning now to realise the potential he has shown previously.

A key reason as to why Ipswich gained promotion to the Premier League under manager Kieran McKenna in the first place, Hutchinson has been given ample game-time in the English top-flight to showcase what he can do. Given his age, and Ipswich’s likely candidacy to go straight back down to the Championship, you would imagine that clubs might look to lure him away this summer.

10

Harvey Elliott (21)

Liverpool

Seeing as he made his Premier League debut aged 16 years and 30 days (the youngest-ever at the time, although later beaten by Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri), it feels as though Harvey Elliott has been around forever. And considering some of the youth Liverpool have leaned upon in recent years, the 21-year-old may well be one of the more senior players around at Anfield.

Elliott has already played over 100 times for the Reds, helping them win the League Cup twice, as well as the Club World Cup. He was also part of the England side to lift the Euro U21 trophy. Purely based on talent, he would likely be higher, but his unfortunate luck with injuries has derailed his momentum and sent him tumbling down the order for the time being.

9

Lewis Hall (20)

Newcastle United

One of several Newcastle starlets, Lewis Hall completed a permanent move to the north in the summer after the Magpies fulfilled the £35m obligation to buy clause in the deal with Chelsea. Many at Stamford Bridge weren’t happy to see the talented left-back leave, and it’s easy to understand why.

Although he was initially used sparingly by Eddie Howe, the versatile left-footer has become a more common face for the St James’ Park faithful in recent times, putting in a series of excellent performances. His efforts have been rewarded too, with the defender being named in Lee Carsley’s final Nations League squad, meaning that Hall could be in line for his Three Lions bow.

8

Archie Gray (19)

Tottenham

In the face of a bubbling mutiny from the fanbase, Leeds United felt compelled to release a statement explaining why they had let Archie Gray join Tottenham Hotspur in the summer of 2024. The Yorkshire giants described themselves as “heartbroken” to lose one of the club’s most exciting academy products in recent memory.

The great-nephew and son of two former Leeds players, Gray had already amassed more than 50 senior appearances in all-white before Spurs triggered a release clause worth between £25m and £30m. Comfortable in a range of positions, lining up anywhere between the middle of the backline and attacking midfield, the upright 19-year-old could become a staple of Ange Postecoglou’s side for the next decade before even reaching his peak.

7

Jamie Gittens (20)

Borussia Dortmund

For those who don’t pay attention to football outside the Premier League, Jamie Gittens might not be a familiar name. Even those with a passing interest in the Bundesliga may be slightly confused as the English forward has opted to drop his double-barrelled surname Bynoe-Gittens going forward. Following the same path as Jadon Sancho and Jude Bellingham, the winger left England for Borussia Dortmund and has already seen plenty of first-team action.

Only recently out of his teens, Gittens has surpassed 60 appearances for the Bundesliga club. And with three goals to his name in four Champions League games in the 2024/25 term, the fleet-footed wide man has already delivered on one of the biggest stages of all.

Chelsea’s 34 signings under Todd Boehly ranked

Ranking every signing that Todd Boehly has made since taking charge at Chelsea in 2022.

6

Adam Wharton (21)

Crystal Palace

Premier League fans only got their first glimpse of what Adam Wharton is all about in the second half of the 2023/24 campaign following his mid-season move from Blackburn Rovers. By the summer, he was an unexpected selection in Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2024 squad. The rapid ascent even took his family by surprise. “He’s sat next to Harry Kane for breakfast,” Wharton’s father breathlessly pointed out ahead of the tournament.

Boasting remarkable ease in possession and a refreshingly progressive approach to passing, Wharton offers a unique playing profile for a national team which too often lacks penetration. Crystal Palace have certainly reaped the rewards of Wharton’s particular set of skills.

5

Rico Lewis (20)

Manchester City

There aren’t many teenagers who could have convinced Pep Guardiola (in the middle of a treble-winning season, no less) that they are good enough to become a regular in his team. But Manchester City starlet Rico Lewis isn’t like many young players.

Now 20 years of age, he featured in 23 games while City marched to glory in the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup. With Kyle Walker’s recent struggles, it’s the teenager who has been bearing the load on the right at the Etihad, but for England, he has often been utilised off the left given the lack of availability of certain players in that area of the pitch.

4

Kobbie Mainoo (19)

Manchester United

It may feel as though Kobbie Mainoo’s rise in football has been overnight, but those at Manchester United have long-viewed the young midfielder as a potential superstar for the future. Had it not been for an ankle injury suffered while impressing in the 2023/24 pre-season, the teenage phenom may well have stolen headlines a lot sooner than he did.

Mainoo won February Goal of the Month with his dazzling solo effort against Wolves, and after starring in Man United’s thrilling FA Cup win over Liverpool, Southgate had little choice but to promote him to the senior England squad. It’s impressive for any 19-year-old to shine so brightly in the English top flight, but to do it with such calm in this chaotic Manchester United squad suggests Mainoo is a special player. Hopefully the arrival of Ruben Amorim, a former midfielder himself, will take the teenager’s game to the next level.

3

Ethan Nwaneri (18)

Arsenal

One of the most exciting talents in world football right now, Ethan Nwaneri has been an absolute revelation for Arsenal in the 2024/2025 Premier League campaign. Having of course made his top-flight bow as a 15-year-old when he came on as a substitute against Brentford, Nwaneri has come on leaps and bounds in what has been a major breakthrough season for him.

Bukayo Saka’s injury and lengthy absence has forced Nwaneri further into the spotlight, and the English teenager has more than repaid his manager’s faith – moreso perhaps than some of his more senior colleagues and teammates. Nwaneri’s penchant for the spectacular goal – his coming inside and curling the ball into the far corner is quickly becoming a trademark – has instantly made him a fan favourite at the Emirates, and he looks set for a glittering career.

2

Myles Lewis-Skelly (18)

Arsenal

If Nwaneri’s rise has been rapid, then perhaps Myles Lewis-Skelly’s ascent to superstardom has been even quicker. Given Arsenal’s stock of left-backs, the fact the teenager has quickly made that position his own in the 2024/2025 campaign speaks volumes of the kind of ability and nous he possesses to gain Mikel Arteta’s trust.

So much so that even England manager Thomas Tuchel recognised his quality and afforded him a call-up to the senior squad during the March international break. Lewis-Skelly took that opportunity with both hands and even scored on his Three Lions debut, and if he doesn’t revert back to his midfield position in the future, looks set to nail a starting berth at left-back for the years to come for both club and country.

1

Jude Bellingham (21)

Real Madrid

There was only ever going to be one winner on this list. Not only is Jude Bellingham the best young Englishman in the country, but given that he finished third in the 2024 Ballon d’Or standings, he is arguably the country’s best player full stop.

After leading Real Madrid to glory in La Liga and the Champions League – boasting an outrageous 23-goal haul from midfield in his debut season – as well as helping England reach the final of Euro 2024 – he has dropped off in his second season with the arrival of Kylian Mbappe supposedly impacting his ability going forward. Regardless, he still remains number one.

All stats from Transfermarkt (correct as of 03/04/2025)