5 Young Players I'm Excited To Watch In The 2025/26 Season
5 Young Players I'm Excited To Watch In The 2025/26 Season
I’ve always loved watching beautiful, exciting football—the kind that makes you stop and say “wow.” As an Arsenal fan who grew up idolizing Sergio Busquets and that iconic Barcelona side, it’s no surprise I’m drawn to intelligent, elegant football that feels like art.
But I also have a deep appreciation for the other side of the game, where it’s all about impact. No frills, just pure effectiveness: goal scorers, dominant midfielders, players who get the job done with ruthless consistency. That can be just as thrilling in its own way.
More than anything, though, I love watching young talents grow, seeing the raw potential, the flashes of brilliance, and watching them evolve into top players. There’s something special about following that journey from promise to greatness.
With the 2025/26 season around the corner, here are some players I can’t wait to watch. Some are stars, some are just emerging, but all of them have that spark that makes football so addictive.
Kenan Yıldız - Juventus
Kenan Yıldız is undoubtedly one of the most talented and exciting young players in the world right now. At just 20 years old, he has already been given the weight of the Juventus number 10 shirt donned by previous legends of the club such as Paulo Dybala, Carlos Tevez, Michel Platini, and most famously Alessandro Del Piero. As well as this, the former Bayern Munich academy star has already become the most valuable Turkish player of all time overtaking the likes of Hakan Calhanoglu and Arda Turan.
Yıldız’s mix of skill, flair, and versatility makes him dangerous whether he’s playing as a No. 10 or out wide on the left. He’s got quick feet, a strong shot from distance, and a knack for creating chances in tight spaces. His outstanding showing at the 2025 Club World Cup, three goals and two assists in just four games, proved he can shine when it matters most.
Juventus reportedly turned down a big Chelsea offer this summer, a clear sign they see Yıldız as central to their plans. With more eyes on him than ever, the 2025–26 season will show whether he can turn potential into consistent, top-level performances. If he does, he’ll firmly earn his place among Europe’s best.
Arda Guler - Real Madrid
If his Club World Cup form is anything to go by, Arda Guler, Real Madrid’s Turkish wonderkid is due to have a very good season. Once again, still only 20 years old, the talented midfielder has already become a household name amongst European football. At Real Madrid, he has already shown excellent glimpses and moments of sharp technique, vision and confidence of a player well above his age. After an injury-disputed first year at Madrid, he struggled for game time in his second season with the Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti ultimately giving preference to the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo, Vinicius Jr and Brahim Diaz. Despite this, Arda Guler still managed to finish off the 2024/25 season strongly, scoring key goals and proving he belongs at the highest level.
Güler stands out because of how smart and composed he is on the ball. He sees passes others miss, reads the game early, and controls the tempo with ease. Whether he’s cutting in from the right or playing through the middle, he mixes quick feet, smart positioning, and a sharp left foot. He plays with a calmness that’s rare for his age, always looking one step ahead. There’s a smoothness to everything he does, making tricky plays look simple and natural.
With Xabi Alonso as coach, Güler has been tested in a deeper midfield role as a deep lying playmaker, during the Club World Cup where he showed real promise with strong performances. This position gives him more time on the ball and a better view of the field, allowing him to showcase his ability to handle pressure and deliver long, accurate passes. This new role is unlocking a different side of his game. Real Madrid trusts him and hasn’t considered loaning him out, so this season could be his big breakthrough. If he stays healthy and plays consistently, Arda Güler won’t just be a player to watch, he’ll be impossible to overlook.
Evan Ferguson - Roma
Evan Ferguson made an electric start to his career at Brighton. His 22/23 season made the whole of Europe take notice of him, where he scored 10 goals and got 3 assists in 25 games as well as 3 goals for Ireland. All of this being as a teenager, his natural finishing ability, intelligent movement inside the box and calmness under pressure immediately he was immediately marked out as one of the brightest young players in England and attracted interest from the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United. Standing at 1.88 meters, he offers a powerful physical presence but combines it with sharp footwork and awareness, making him a modern number 9 capable of doing damage both in buildup and inside the box.
However the years that followed this breakout season were far from ideal. Ferguson suffered with injuries, surgery, and the natural inconsistencies that come with being a young player. A loan to West Ham came next where he had the chance to work under his previous manager Graham Potter whom he was so successful. Unfortunately the move didn't work out as expected. He struggled for consistency and game time and didn't manage to regain his manager's trust.
Now on loan at AS Roma with an option to buy for €40 million, Ferguson has a fresh chance to reboot his career in a league known for developing intelligent, tactically sharp strikers. Under manager Gian Piero Gasperini, who has a strong record of nurturing attacking talent, Ferguson will have the guidance and system to thrive. If he settles quickly, Roma’s setup, centered around a focal striker, could suit his strengths perfectly. With the European spotlight on him, this season isn’t just about regaining form—it’s about proving he belongs at the highest level and reminding everyone why he was once one of the most exciting young forwards in Europe.
Alberto Moleiro - Villareal
Alberto Moleiro is one of the most exciting players in Spain. At just 21 years old, Alberto Moleiro is an exciting attacking talent from the Las Palmas academy. Primarily a left winger, he can also play as a number 10. Moleiro plays like a more attacking version of Pedri, with quick footwork, precise passing, and an ability to find space in tight areas. He shows maturity and confidence beyond his years, making difficult plays look effortless. Calm under pressure, he breaks down defenses with clever passes and skilled dribbling, marking him as one of the most promising talents to come through Las Palmas’ youth system.
Although Moleiro demonstrated his talent at Las Palmas, the team’s difficulties meant he had to take on a heavy creative burden. This experience helped him develop, but it also made it challenging for him to consistently stand out. Now, with his move to Villarreal, he joins a more stable and technically focused team that suits his style far better. This is a great chance for him to progress and take the next important step in his career.
At Villarreal, Moleiro will join a team known for its structure and quality, which should give him the space to focus on his strengths, creating chances and controlling the game’s rhythm. With stronger teammates and better support, I believe he has everything needed to become a key player. This season could be a big one for him, offering the perfect opportunity to prove he’s ready to step up and show why he’s considered one of Spain’s brightest young talents.
Wilson Odobert (Spurs)
Wilson Odobert is emerging as one of the most promising young talents to keep an eye on in the 2025/26 season. He first made waves at Burnley, where his pace, skill, and direct attacking style quickly caught the attention of Premier League fans and scouts alike. His impressive performances earned him a high-profile move to Tottenham Hotspur, reflecting the club’s strong belief in his potential to become a key player. Comfortable playing on either wing, Odobert is a brilliant 1v1 dribbler who consistently causes problems for defenders and can change games with his creativity and speed.
However, his first season at Spurs was disrupted by injuries, limiting his opportunities to fully showcase what he can do. Despite these setbacks, he has already shown flashes of the dynamic and exciting player he has the potential to be. With Heung-Min Son’s departure, Odobert is now poised to take on a bigger role in Tottenham’s attack under new manager Thomas Frank. This shift offers him the perfect chance to step up, assume more responsibility, and prove that he can be a crucial part of the team’s future.
The 2025/26 season could be a defining one for Odobert. If he can maintain his fitness and build on the promise he displayed at Burnley and during his limited appearances for Spurs, there’s every reason to believe he’ll establish himself as a vital player for Tottenham and emerge as one of the Premier League’s most exciting young wingers.
Thanks for joining me on this journey through five young stars set to light up the 2025/26 season. These players represent the future of football—full of skill, passion, and promise—and I can’t wait to see how their stories unfold. If you want to stay updated, catch exclusive insights, and share the love of the beautiful game, follow me on social media:
Let’s keep the conversation going—see you there!
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