Soccer

Premier League Rookies to watch in the 2024/25 season!

Every Premier League season brings with it a new crop of breakthrough stars, and 2024/25 promises to be no different. Last year, players like Kobbie Mainoo, who was relatively unknown outside of Manchester United circles, rose to prominence, eventually starting in the Euro 2024 final for England against Spain.

Similarly, Cole Palmer made waves at Chelsea, racking up an impressive 22 Premier League goals, while Adam Wharton broke into Crystal Palace’s first team and earned a spot in the England squad. The Premier League consistently produces breakout talent that surprises and excites fans, so the question on everyone’s mind is: who will be the standout rookies this season? In this article, we’ll explore the young talents poised to make their mark on the Premier League stage in 2024/25.


Archie Gray – Tottenham

Archie Gray is one of the most exciting young talents to watch this season. After a standout campaign with Leeds United, where he made 52 appearances and won the EFL Championship Young Player of the Season, Gray made a high-profile move to Tottenham for £40 million. His versatility, having played both in central midfield and as a right-back, combined with his composure on the ball and ability to win duels, makes him a perfect fit for Ange Postecoglou’s system. With Tottenham likely to give him significant minutes, Gray could quickly become a key player in their push for European qualification.

Ethan Nwaneri – Arsenal

Ethan Nwaneri, who made history as the youngest player to debut in the Premier League at just 15, is set to have a breakout season with Arsenal. Now 17, Nwaneri has signed his first professional contract and is highly regarded for his ability to dominate possession and impact the final third. I caught a glimpse of him in Arsenal’s pre-season game against Manchester United and he looked assured on the ball and comfortable in possession.

With Arsenal’s busy schedule, Nwaneri is likely to get opportunities to prove himself and potentially become a regular in Mikel Arteta’s plans.

Nwaneri is the youngest ever player in the Premier League
(Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Dean Huijsen – Bournemouth

Dean Huijsen, a Dutch 19-year-old center-back, was signed by Bournemouth from Juventus and is already being touted as a future star. Standing at 6’6″, Huijsen combines physical presence with technical ability. Last season, he made a brief but impactful appearance for Juventus before being loaned to Roma, where he further showcased his potential.

Bournemouth will be looking to him to add solidity to their defense as they aim to improve on last season. He is also a goal threat. He ranked in the 99th percentile for goals p90 amongst centre-backs. He uses his height to his advantage to get above the opposition in the penalty area and is often the target man when a goal is needed. Sounds like the reincarnation of Marouane Fellaini.

Rodrigo Gomes – Wolves

Rodrigo Gomes is a player to keep an eye on after his move from Braga to Wolverhampton Wanderers. Last season, he impressed in a wing-back role for Estoril, contributing 9 goals and 8 assists. Gomes is expected to play a more advanced role at Wolves, stepping into the shoes of Pedro Neto. With his attacking mindset and ability to deliver in the final third, Gomes could be a key player for Wolves this season.

Jake O’Brien – Everton

Jake O’Brien, who joined Everton from Lyon, is another young defender to watch. Known for his aerial ability and strong defensive skills, O’Brien will be crucial to Everton’s plans to shore up their backline. His experience in Ligue 1 has prepared him well for the challenges of the Premier League, and he could quickly become a key player for Sean Dyche’s side as they look to improve defensively this season​. He is also a goal threat, averaging a 0.15 goals p90. The thought of him and Jarrod Branthwaite running onto a whipped ball from Dwight McNeil is scary!

Jake O'Brien will form a scary partnership with Jarrod Branthwaite
(Photo by ANP via Getty Images)

Liam Delap – Ipswich

Liam Delap, formerly of Manchester City’s academy, could be the firepower Ipswich Town needs to stay in the Premier League. Last season, while on loan at Hull City in the Championship, Delap demonstrated his ability to lead the line by averaging 2.1 shots per game and scoring eight goals in limited minutes, a statistic that highlights his eagerness to find the back of the net​. With regular playing time at Ipswich, Delap has the potential to develop into a reliable goal scorer, helping Ipswich in their battle against relegation.


By Nicky Helfgott – NickyHelfgott1 on X (Twitter)

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