The Young English PL rookie transfers to watch in 24/25

As the Premier League rolls around once again, we take a look at five exciting young English talents who look set to start making an impact in England’s top division!

Amario Cozier-Duberry | 19 Years Old | Winger | Brighton

One of Brighton’s many attacking signings this Summer, Amario Cozier-Duberry joins on a free transfer from Arsenal, where fans had started dubbing him “The Bukayo Saka regen”.

The young right winger earned the nickname after impressing at under 21 level while demonstrating remarkably similar traits to a young Bukayo Saka. The way he inverts from the right, his diminutive figure, the drop of the shoulder…even the way he runs with the ball. 

Ironically, the existence of Saka himself is likely why Cozier-Duberry ran his contract down at Arsenal and chose to seek a different path. The pathway to first-team football for a young right winger at Arsenal is tougher than it perhaps ever has been. 

Young manager Fabian Hurzeler arrives at Brighton with plenty of options in the position as well. Yakubeh Minteh arrives from Newcastle, Ibrahim Osman from Nodsjaelland…Cozier-Duberry will have to fight for his chances.

But given a chance, he’s an exciting one to watch. 15 goal contributions last season at Under 21 level is nothing to scoff at. Cozier-Duberry is an exciting, technical, and direct winger who can threaten with both feet (much like Saka…). He fights for possession and isn’t afraid to try and take players on. He’s a potential difference maker, with the need for senior experience to improve his composure and decision-making in those key moments. 

sporadic appearances throughout Brighton’s pre-season indicates that experience is something Cozier-Duberry will be afforded. Though I don’t anticipate a starting berth from the get-go, I’m hopeful the former Hale-End man will get meaningful minutes across all competitions this season.

Taylor Harwood-Bellis | 22 Years Old | Defender | Southampton

Spending £20M on a young central defender with no Premier League experience as a newly promoted side could be considered a great risk for a newly promoted Premier League side. But when you add the context surrounding Taylor Harwood-Bellis’s arrival at St Mary’s, the acquisition moves from “ambitious” to “necessary”.

With extensive Championship experience with Blackburn, Stoke, and Burnley (and a short stint in the Belgian top flight with Anderlecht), it was really only a matter of time before Harwood-Bellis earned a shot in the Premier League.

That chance has arrived following a successful loan spell at Southampton, promotion to the Premier League, and the activation of a permanent transfer. And boy are Southampton fans happy to part ways with £20M for him.

A progressive, technical, and intelligent defender who reads the game as well as defenders with significantly more senior experience. A fundamental piece of Russel Martin’s side, Harwood-Bellis should be considered a lynchpin for this Southampton side in their quest to stay in England’s top division. With a delightful passing range and the ability to clip the ball directly into attack, expect to see a handful of assists to his name by May 2025.

I believe the Saints have a player on their hands who may very well be destined for a sustained high-level career in the Premier League – they’ll obviously be hoping it’s in red and white on the south coast for the majority of it.

Jaden Philogene | 22 Years Old | Winger | Aston Villa

After arriving at Aston Villa as a 16-year-old prospect, Jaden Philogene earned just 10 minutes of Premier League football before a permanent move away to Hull in the Championship was sanctioned.

Now, at 22 years old, he’s back with a point to prove.

The social media addicts reading this thread may recognise the name from the outrageous viral clip that emerged in February – in which Philogene cooked a Rotherham fullback twice in quick succession, before dinking a ridiculous rabona into the far corner. Fair enough, really.

That clip really is a microcosm of what Jaden Philogene is. A throwback to the 2000s where wingers gambled in possession, utilised their flair, and sought out 1v1 opportunities with opposition defenders. 

Philogene was one of the top creators from take-ons in the Championship last season, using that agility and those quick feet to carve out chances. If you want to learn more about Jaden Philogene, we did a full profile on him earlier this year!

Whether he’ll be afforded the same creative freedom under Unai Emery remains to be seen, and a test of his tactical discipline may be the first barrier to overcome. With Villa expecting big things this season, chances may be limited, so he’ll have to impress when the time comes.

Ethan Nwaneri | CM | 17 Years Old | Arsenal

The youngest Premier League player of all time looks set to finally become a contributing member of Mikel Arteta’s squad.

His debut – a sub appearance against Brentford at 15 years old – seemed more of a gesture than a meaningful appearance. A sign from Arteta that Ethan Nwaneri is considered a top prospect at the club. Now, at 17, a very promising pre-season has put Ethan in a position to make a genuine impact.

The thing about Nwaneri is that he doesn’t look like a youth prospect on the pitch. He takes responsibility, searches for the ball, isn’t afraid to progress the play, while also maintaining the tactical discipline that’s required of Arteta’s Arsenal. 

Nwaneri already feels like a reliable option from the bench, or in an injury crisis. While elevating the level of a team that sits 2nd to only Manchester City is still some way off, his presence on the pitch doesn’t seem to drop the level in a noticeable way.

Last season might have been too soon – you don’t often see 16-year-olds starting week-in, week-out for top-flight clubs (Lamine Yamal the obvious exception), but at 17 there’s no reason why Nwaneri shouldn’t be picking up minutes in the upcoming campaign.

Arteta has taken some flak in recent months for not giving enough playing time to Hale End prospects. And that criticism does have some merit, with Arsenal giving just 13 Premier League minutes to teenagers last season. I expect Ethan Nwaneri to be the one to break that trend.

Archie Gray | CM | 18 Years Old | Tottenham

Ange and Spurs jumped out of the gate this Summer with the provocative signing of Archie Gray from Leeds United.

£30M for an 18-year-old from the Championship is always going to raise some eyebrows, but anyone with even a glancing knowledge of the youngster wasn’t particularly surprised with the fee.

Archie Gray (He just has one of those names where you have to say both, right?) was a godsend for Leeds last season, stepping confidently into the right-back position and covering with confidence and class.

And it’s that versatility that makes this move an exciting one. While it’s been made quite clear that most see his long-term future at central midfield, Archie Gray can play at fullback, especially for a team that looks to invert their fullback into midfield like Spurs.

Realistically though, the “6” spot at Spurs is already up for grabs, and it wouldn’t be a shock to see Archie Gray cement himself as the first choice in that position during the season. Hojbjerg is gone, Bissouma hasn’t looked the player he once was, and Archie Gray is going from strength to strength.

And confidence is not something this young man lacks. He’s spoken publicly about his desire to win the Champions League and captain England in the future. Jumping into a “big six” club and earning a starting spot under a demanding manager like Ange Postecoglou would certainly be a statement of intent.