The 2025/26 football season is in full swing, and SuperSport viewers on DStv and GOtv are in for a thrilling season ahead.
While fan-favourite stars continue to make memorable moves on the pitch, a new generation of footballing brilliance is rising to challenge the elite.
Across La Liga, Serie A, and the Premier League, young talents are stepping into the spotlight bringing fresh energy, fearless ambition, and the promise of a new era.
From midfield maestros to explosive forwards and rock-solid defenders, these “Next Gen” players are ready to shape the future of the beautiful game. Here’s a look at the standout stars to watch across Europe’s top leagues.
Premier League’s Next Gen: Young Stars Set to Electrify England’s Elite Stage
From Chelsea’s flair to Arsenal’s finesse, meet the rising talents ready to shake up the 2025/2026 Premier League season. The Premier League remains the pinnacle of global football and now, its future stars are stepping up. With youth development at the heart of top clubs, these players are ready to bring energy, creativity, and unpredictability to England’s most competitive league.
Estevao Willian (Chelsea)
Estevão Willian is a dynamic winger with Chelsea, known for his pace, dribbling, and ability to unlock defences. At just 18, he’s shown flashes of brilliance in youth competitions and is knocking on the door of the senior squad. In the 2025/26 season, Willian’s impact could be significant as Chelsea look to blend youth with experience. His direct attacking style offers a fresh threat down the flanks, creating scoring opportunities and stretching opponents. If given consistent minutes, he could become a key player in Chelsea’s transition and attacking build-up, providing vital creativity and pace.
Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal)
Ethan Nwaneri, at only 18, has already made history as one of the youngest Premier League debutants. Arsenal’s academy star possesses excellent technical skill, vision, and maturity well beyond his years. In the 2025/26 season, Nwaneri’s impact could be transformative for Arsenal’s midfield creativity. With his ability to pick passes and control tempo, he could serve as a crucial link between defence and attack, injecting youthful energy and inventiveness. Arsenal’s commitment to youth development suggests he will see more senior minutes, potentially becoming a vital playmaker for the Gunners.
Claudio Echeverri (Manchester City)
Claudio Echeverri, a gifted attacking midfielder at Manchester City, has impressed with his flair, close control, and goal-scoring instinct. Coming from River Plate’s famed academy, his technical skill and vision fit perfectly with City’s possession-based style. In 2025/26, Echeverri could make a considerable impact by adding creativity and unpredictability to City’s midfield options. His knack for unlocking tight defences and contributing goals can relieve pressure on the frontline. As Pep Guardiola values versatile, intelligent players, Echeverri could emerge as a key rotational player or starter, shaping City’s attacking dynamics.
Adam Aznou (Everton)
Adam Aznou, a promising left-back at Everton, is known for his defensive solidity combined with strong attacking instincts. At just 19, Aznou has demonstrated impressive stamina and tactical awareness, contributing both defensively and offensively. In the 2025/26 season, his impact could be vital for Everton’s defensive resilience and transition play. His ability to overlap, deliver quality crosses, and support the attack while maintaining defensive duties makes him a dual-threat. Everton could rely on Aznou as a regular starter, enhancing the team’s width and balance, helping stabilize their backline and bolster offensive options.
Jorrel Hato (Chelsea)
Jorrel Hato rose through the ranks at Ajax with his maturity, composure, and tactical intelligence, before signing for Chelsea earlier this month. Comfortable both as a centre-back and left-back, Hato combines physicality with technical ability. In 2025/26, he could become a crucial figure in Chelsea’s defensive setup, providing reliability and adaptability. His strong reading of the game helps neutralise threats, while his calmness on the ball aids in building play from the back. As Chelsea integrates younger talent, Hato’s consistent performances could anchor their defence and offer much-needed stability during a transitional phase.
La Liga’s Future Icons: The Young Stars Set to Shine in Spain’s Topflight
From Barcelona’s youth revolution to Real Madrid’s Brazilian brilliance, meet the rising talents ready to shape the 2025/26 La Liga season. The 2025/26 La Liga season is more than just a battle for silverware—it’s a stage for the next generation of footballing brilliance. Whether it’s Barcelona’s homegrown prodigies, Real Madrid’s explosive new arrival, or Villarreal and Real Sociedad’s midfield maestros, these “Next Gen” players are poised to leave their mark.
Marc Bernal (Barcelona)
Marc Bernal is one of Barcelona’s most promising midfielders, blending physicality with technical poise and exceptional ball progression. At just 18, his calmness under pressure and positional intelligence stand out. In the 2025/26 season, Bernal could begin making senior appearances as a deep-lying playmaker or box-to-box option in Hansi Flick’s system. With Barcelona emphasising homegrown talent, Bernal has the opportunity to provide control in midfield, especially against pressing sides. His ability to shield the defence, retain possession, and dictate tempo could make him an important rotational player, gradually stepping into the long-term successor role in Barça’s midfield core.
Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona)
Pau Cubarsí is already being hailed as a generational talent at centre-back for Barcelona, and at 18, he’s shown maturity well beyond his years. Composed on the ball and confident in 1v1 duels, Cubarsí’s vision and passing make him ideal for Barça’s build-from-the-back approach. In the 2025/26 season, he is expected to continue as a reliable starter or high-rotation option, helping anchor a young but ambitious defence. His anticipation and clean tackling could solidify Barcelona’s back line, especially in big games. Cubarsí’s development trajectory suggests he could become the key defender around which the team is built.
Endrick (Real Madrid)
Endrick arrived at Real Madrid as a much-hyped Brazilian phenom with blistering pace, powerful finishing, and fearlessness in the final third. At just 19, he’s already a full Brazil international and has shown he can deliver on the big stage. In the 2025/26 season, Endrick is expected to bring explosive depth to Madrid’s forward line, either as a rotational striker or impactful substitute. His ability to attack spaces, create moments from nothing, and combine with stars like Vinícius Jr. and Kylian Mbappe could redefine Madrid’s counter-attacking threat. If he continues his development, Endrick may become one of the league’s top stars.
Javier Fernández (Villarreal)
Javier Fernández is a gifted midfielder at Villarreal known for his composure, balance, and creative passing under pressure. Still only 19, he’s beginning to break into Villarreal’s senior setup, offering vision and energy in central areas. In the 2025/26 season, he could be a key midfield rotation player, especially in domestic competitions. His ability to transition the ball forward and operate between the lines gives Villarreal extra attacking fluency. Under a coach who trusts youth, Fernández could become a cornerstone of the team’s future midfield, offering both stability and progression in possession-heavy matches.
Beñat Turrientes (Real Sociedad)
Beñat Turrientes is a technically sharp midfielder with Real Sociedad, known for his intelligence in possession and ability to link defence with attack. Though slightly older than some on this list (born 2002), he remains a U-23 prospect still carving out his role. In the 2025/26 season, Turrientes could establish himself as a regular starter in Imanol Alguacil’s system, particularly if Sociedad rotate for European competition. His composure and positional awareness make him suited to controlling tempo against higher-pressing sides. Turrientes could quietly become one of La Liga’s most reliable young midfielders if given consistent minutes.
Serie A’s Youth Surge: The Rising Stars Ready to Shake Up Italian Football
From Juventus to Como, meet the fearless young talents set to make their mark in the 2025/26 Serie A season. Serie A is embracing a youth movement, with clubs investing in bold, dynamic players who bring fresh energy to Italy’s tactical tradition. Whether it’s Juve’s creative spark or Lecce’s striking prodigy, these players are ready to challenge the status quo.
Vasilije Adžić (Juventus)
Vasilije Adžić is a creative attacking midfielder with exceptional technical flair, vision, and balance in tight spaces. After impressing in Montenegro and Juventus’ youth ranks, he’s now pushing for senior involvement. In the 2025/26 season, Adžić could provide Juve with added unpredictability and energy in advanced midfield roles. His ability to carry the ball and break defensive lines suits Juventus’ evolving emphasis on dynamic attackers. Though he may start with Coppa Italia and rotation minutes, his ceiling is high, and he could be one of Juve’s breakout players if integrated effectively under a more progressive system.
Francesco Camarda (AC Milan, on loan at Lecce)
Francesco Camarda, still just 17, is one of Italy’s most exciting striker prospects, known for his goal-scoring instinct and positional intelligence. Loaned to Lecce for the 2025/26 season, Camarda will likely gain valuable first-team minutes in Serie A, where his development can accelerate against top-tier defences. With Lecce expected to prioritise his growth, he could lead the line or play as a secondary striker. His movement in the box and finishing touch make him a threat even in limited chances. If he adapts physically, Camarda could emerge as Lecce’s main goal outlet and return to Milan with real top-flight experience.
Giovanni Leoni (Parma)
Giovanni Leoni is a commanding centre-back with a rare blend of strength, composure, and ball-playing ability. After impressing in Serie B, he’s expected to play a major role for newly promoted Parma in the 2025/26 Serie A campaign. At just 18, he already reads the game like a veteran and is poised to anchor the defence. Leoni’s poise under pressure and clean tackling make him a dependable option, especially in high-pressure relegation battles. If he continues to progress, Leoni could not only secure Parma’s survival but also earn interest from Italy’s top clubs and a potential U-21 national team call-up.
Assane Diao (Como)
Assane Diao brings flair, directness, and goal-scoring ability to ambitious Serie A side Como. Signed to strengthen their attack, Diao, still only 19, is expected to be a central figure in their hopes during the 2025/26 campaign. His pace and ability to beat defenders 1v1 give Como a dangerous counter-attacking outlet, especially against possession-heavy teams. He scored regularly in limited minutes last season and now has the platform to do so consistently. If he delivers, Diao could be one of Serie A’s breakout young stars, helping cement Como in the top tier while putting himself on the radar of bigger clubs.
Iker Bravo (Udinese)
Iker Bravo, formerly of Barcelona and Bayer Leverkusen, is rebuilding his trajectory at Udinese with a focus on physical development and consistent goal-scoring. A powerful forward with good hold-up play and movement, Bravo has the tools to thrive in Udinese’s counter-attacking setup. In the 2025/26 season, he may be leaned on as a rotational or starting striker, especially if he builds chemistry with Udinese’s creative midfielders. If he can find consistency in front of goal, Bravo could reignite his status as one of Spain’s top striker prospects, potentially becoming a double-digit goal contributor in Serie A by season’s end.
The Season Ahead: Drama Guaranteed
Across Europe, the 2025/26 season promises tactical battles, emotional rollercoasters, and managerial masterclasses. Whether it’s chasing titles, fighting for survival, or rebuilding legacies, these 15 coaches are the heartbeat of the storylines to come.
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