A new generation. Talents to watch in 2025 (Part 1)

In recent years, the average age at which footballers begin making their first steps at the professional level has significantly decreased. Nowadays, no one is surprised by a 17-year-old player who regularly starts in the starting lineup.

Dailysports has compiled for you the most promising talents that we recommend paying closer attention to in 2025.

Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal)
Position: Central forward
Age: 17

During all recent transfer windows, rumors have been circulating about Arsenal looking for a new scoring central forward who would provide the team with more than 10 goals per Premier League season. But perhaps the Gunners don’t even need to look for such a player in other clubs.

Ethan Nwaneri has already entered the history of English football, as he is the youngest footballer ever to play in the Premier League. Back in 2022, Nwaneri came on as a substitute against Brentford at the age of 15 years, 5 months, and 28 days. Surpassing this record will be extremely difficult.

But at that time, it was merely an advance from Mikel Arteta to Nwaneri. The Spanish coach showed that he noticed his progress and was counting on the lad in the future. Now, Nwaneri is already 17 years old, and he is starting to prove that transitioning to senior football will not be too problematic for him.

In the current season, Nwaneri has started to receive more playing time, and when he is on the field, he stands out significantly. So far, the Arsenal academy graduate has played in 16 matches and scored 4 goals. However, it should be noted that Nwaneri has only started in the EFL Cup, where in 3 games he scored 3 goals.

As for the Premier League, Nwaneri usually comes on only in the final minutes, but even so, he has already managed to score his first goals at this level. In the game against Nottingham Forest, the 17-year-old prodigy played only 8 minutes and made the score 3-0. And yesterday, Nwaneri started against Brighton and opened the scoring in the match.

Nwaneri stands out with excellent speed and the ability to orient himself in tight spaces. It is also worth noting Nwaneri’s ability to take shots on goal from any position. His finishing is at a very good level.

It is obvious that in 2025, Nwaneri will receive even more playing time, and watching his progress is extremely exciting.

Rodrigo Mora (Porto)
Position: Attacking midfielder
Age: 17

Practically every year, the top Portuguese clubs gift the world new super talents. And now it’s the turn of Porto’s academy graduate, Rodrigo Mora.

For a long time, scouts from the best clubs in Europe have been watching this 17-year-old prodigy, as at the junior level, this short-statured lad stood out among all his peers with incredible technique, game understanding, and the ability to shoot from outside the penalty area. In his playing profile, Rodrigo Mora strongly resembles Philippe Coutinho during his Liverpool days.

For the first time, Rodrigo Mora gained significant attention last season, when he won two individual awards. First, the Porto academy graduate became the top scorer of the UEFA Youth League with 7 goals, and then he won the top scorer title of the U17 European Championship, scoring 5 goals.

In the current season, Mora began with Porto’s second team, but over time, he began training regularly with the main team and has already shown himself excellently at the Primeira Liga level. Initially, Mora only came on as a substitute late in games, but even that didn’t prevent him from scoring a goal against Arouca and providing an assist against Estrela Amadora.

In Porto’s last two matches against Moreirense and Boavista, Rodrigo Mora started from the first minute. And in both, he managed to score a goal and provide an assist. In total – 3 goals and 3 assists in 220 minutes in the Primeira Liga. Wow.

The release clause in Mora’s contract is only 45 million euros. Top clubs should hurry while he doesn’t cost twice as much.

Sverre Nypan (Rosenborg)
Position: Central midfielder
Age: 18

Next on our list is a representative of a league that isn’t often in the spotlight, but there’s no doubt that we will already see this player in a top championship this winter.

Sverre Nypan only turned 18 this month, yet he is already a key player for Norway’s most titled club. Although Rosenborg is going through not the best of times, Nypan has managed to attract the attention of the giants of European football.

It’s hard to believe, but at such a young age, Nypan has already played two full seasons at the senior level. Back in November 2022, he debuted for Rosenborg at the age of 15 years, 10 months, and 18 days, becoming the youngest footballer in the club’s history. And for two seasons now, he has been a regular starter.

The Norwegian Eliteserien operates on a spring-to-winter system, so the last season in this league has already ended. By its conclusion, Nypan managed to score 8 goals and provide 7 assists. Thanks to his playing style, in Norway, Nypan is already being called the new Martin Ødegaard.

Recently, information emerged that Manchester United is interested in Nypan, but Borussia Dortmund is showing the most concrete interest in him. Chelsea and RB Leipzig are also eyeing the young Norwegian. There is no doubt he won’t stay in his home club for long.

Ayyoub Bouaddi (Lille)
Position: Defensive midfielder
Age: 17

No club in France has produced more talents for top teams in recent years than Lille. It is already evident that Bouaddi will be the next Lille academy graduate to step up to a higher level.

At just 17 years old, Bouaddi has already broken into Lille's first team and currently seems absolutely indispensable for the squad. Initially, Bouaddi’s talent was spoken of cautiously, as in France, it’s entirely normal for a 17-year-old to become an important player for a top club. Recent examples, like Warren Zaïre-Emery and Leny Yoro, are very illustrative here.

The loudest discussions about Bouaddi began after his performances in the Champions League. Lille is sensationally occupying eighth place in the group stage after six rounds, and Bouaddi started in three games. His most impressive performance came in the victory over Real Madrid: 98% pass accuracy, 51 touches, and 3 interceptions. Bouaddi practically didn’t allow Jude Bellingham to create anything, showcasing a very mature game.

In terms of his style, Bouaddi is a classic modern defensive midfielder. Many compare his profile to Sergio Busquets, but stylistically, this Lille talent resembles Rodri more.

Most likely, Bouaddi will finish this season at Lille, but by the summer, his name will undoubtedly be frequently mentioned in connection with transfers to top clubs.

Marc Bernal (Barcelona)
Position: Defensive midfielder
Age: 17

Could such a ranking exclude graduates of La Masia? Of course not. Especially in times when Barcelona is heavily constrained in signing new players and relies on their own academy products.

Marc Bernal had everything last summer to become one of the biggest revelations of the season. Due to a lack of depth in the defensive midfield position, Hansi Flick began to trust the 17-year-old prodigy with a spot in the starting lineup. However, in the match against Rayo Vallecano, Bernal tore his cruciate ligaments, which sidelined him for nine months.

Even the three matches Bernal played were enough to reveal the huge potential of this player. Bernal has all the qualities to truly become the player who replaces Sergio Busquets at Barcelona. Even his physique strongly resembles the club legend.

Despite the severe injury, Barcelona has already extended Bernal’s contract until the summer of 2026 with an option to extend for another three years. This move by the club demonstrated their faith in their talent and their anticipation of his return to the field.

There’s no doubt that by the summer of 2025, Bernal will be back in Barcelona's main squad, and discussions about his chemistry with Lamine Yamal and Cubarsi will resume with renewed strength.