The Premier League remains fiercely competitive, and that intensity can make sustained development for teenagers difficult. Still, eight players aged 21 or under when the campaign began have stood out and earned nominations for Young Player of the Season. This piece ranks them on merit, consistency and involvement.

Kobbie Mainoo (Appearances: 26, Goals: 1, Assists: 2). Mainoo has made an enormous impact for Manchester United since returning from exile under Michael Carrick. His form alongside Casemiro has been instrumental to his side’s ascent up the standings, serving as a damning indictment of Ruben Amorim’s managerial ability. Despite impressive moments, he has started just 14 matches and it is only since the turn of the year that he has earned regular minutes. Mainoo should not really be included in the conversation this year.

Lewis Hall (Appearances: 28, Goals: 1, Clean Sheets: 3). The 21-year-old left back has missed eight matches through injury and has started 22 of Newcastle United’s 36 games to date. He has been a positive amid a gloomy campaign but has struggled to offer enough consistency or end product. Three clean sheets and two goal involvements are modest returns for a nominee.

Mateus Fernandes (Appearances: 34, Goals: 3, Assists: 3). Fernandes has shone despite West Ham United’s stodgy campaign, which could yet end in relegation. The 21-year-old Portuguese midfielder has registered six goal involvements across the league season and has combined tenacity with artistry. It is increasingly obvious that Fernandes will not be donning claret and blue after an impressive campaign amid the turmoil, and Europe’s elite are lining up for him ahead of a likely big-money move.

Michael Kayode (Appearances: 35, Goals: 1, Clean Sheets: 8). Kayode’s long throws and powerful launches have become a real weapon for Brentford, but his defensive work has been equally important. The Italian right back has been integral to a strong campaign for the Bees, contributing eight clean sheets and helping the side chase a possible European berth.

Alex Scott (Appearances: 36, Goals: 3, Assists: 1). The 22-year-old midfielder has been central to Bournemouth’s remarkable season under Andoni Iraola. Scott combines a powerful engine with technical craft, shifting between intense pressing and playmaking. There have been calls for his inclusion in England’s World Cup squad after a season of recovery from several nasty injuries.

Junior Kroupi (Appearances: 31, Goals: 12, Assists: 0). The 19-year-old French striker has produced a phenomenal breakout at Bournemouth, with 12 goals and a goal-to-minutes ratio second only to Erling Haaland in the Premier League. Linked with Arsenal, Barcelona and Manchester City, Kroupi can operate as a No.9 or behind Evanilson and appears on an encouraging development path.

The second half of the 2025-26 season has already produced a steady stream of kit reveals and leaks for 2026-27. Across the division, manufacturers and clubs are leaning on retro references, subtle details and new commercial partners.

Arsenal’s reported home shirt appears traditional at first glance but carries small refinements. The design reportedly includes a burgundy collar with a zig-zag pattern and multiple shades of red. There is also discussion that golden Premier League badges could be applied to the home attire for the campaign.

Aston Villa’s leaked home kit takes a clear step back in time. The design is said to draw on the club’s 1969 attire and will feature a sky blue collar on a polo-style shirt. The choice is notable given Villa’s position around the bottom end of the Second Division in that era and their relegation to the third tier in 1970.

Bournemouth have agreed a new multi-year partnership with Hummel, described as a club-record kit deal. The Cherries have moved away from Umbro and the new supplier will coincide with a fresh front-of-shirt partner for the 2026-27 season.

Brentford will replace Hollywood Bets with Indeed as principal sponsor. Teasers show the club retaining its classic red and white stripes while a subtle wave motif has been worked into the fabric.

Chelsea’s expected home shirt uses sharp yellow accents known as Midwest Gold to cut through royal blue. The club’s lion badge may be layered across the centre and could gain prominence if a permanent front-of-shirt sponsor is not secured. IFS, signed in February, is due to expire at the end of the season, a commercial gap that has had financial consequences for the club.

Leeds United are set to wear horizontal stripes at home for the first time in the club’s history. Designers appear to have taken some inspiration from the 2005-06 Admiral shirt, which featured vertical blue and yellow pinstripes.

Liverpool’s leaks point to a darker take on the Candy-sponsored shirt of 1989-91. That vintage coincided with the club�s last long spell of domestic dominance, capped by the 1989-90 title, a 10th crown in 15 seasons before a 30-year wait for the next.

Manchester City’s home shirt looks largely traditional with a fade from sky blue to white at the hem, which could encourage some fans to pair it with white shorts. Manchester United mock-ups featuring Bruno Fernandes attracted attention after the Red Devils’ feel-good derby victory that marked Michael Carrick’s debut of his second spell. The leaked United shirt shows a clean collar and white accents.

Newcastle’s proposed design keeps stripes as the defining element but experiments with varying bar widths and narrowing black stripes that bleed out from each large section, a pattern some observers liken to a Doppler effect visual.

Several clubs are preparing for a summer tussle to sign Anthony Gordon, with Chelsea identified by The Athletic as the latest contender. The move would be part of a wider summer clear-out at Newcastle as the club plans to rebuild ahead of the 2026–27 season.

Newcastle are said to be considering early sales to allow time to recruit replacements. Yoane Wissa has been linked with an exit barely 12 months after his £55 million ($74.4 million) move. Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimarães are also reported as assets the Tynesiders could part with, but Gordon is presently viewed as the most likely to leave.

Gordon arrived at St James’ Park in 2023 for £40 million ($54 million) from Everton, and Newcastle are reportedly confident they can sell him for a profit. The Magpies, currently 14th in the Premier League table, could demand as much as £75 million ($101 million) for their leading scorer.

Arsenal, Liverpool and Bayern Munich have all been linked with Gordon. Chelsea’s interest comes amid criticism of their transfer strategy and comments from co-owner Behdad Eghbali that the club may shift toward signing more “ready-made” stars. A reported transfer for Gordon would address Chelsea’s stock of wide players and a particular need down the left, but the club’s pursuit is said to be conditional on Champions League qualification.

Qualification appears unlikely at present, although a sixth-place finish would qualify in the event Aston Villa win the Europa League. There was scepticism when Newcastle invested heavily to sign Gordon three years ago, and there is surprise at the level of interest now.

Gordon produced 21 Premier League goal contributions in his first full season at St James’ Park, though his domestic productivity has since declined. He scored 10 times in the Champions League this season and was among the competition’s top scorers at the time of Newcastle’s round of 16 exit. He can be inconsistent in front of goal, with much of his ruthlessness this calendar year saved for 45 minutes in Baku, but clubs admire his relentlessness in all phases, his willingness to penetrate behind defenses and the work he does out of possession.

England manager Thomas Tuchel has previously been effusive in his praise: “He [Gordon] is a direct player, I think this is his biggest strength, to go direct and go again and again,” the German said last October (via FanSided ).