Ranking the 5 best young Premier League midfielders of the season

Everyone is so busy ripping apart the current Premier League for not being as good as it was, but instead of getting swept up in nostalgia, let’s actually appreciate some of the young guns who are rising in this league. Here are five young, under 23 center midfielders who are balling out right now.

5. Tim Iroegbunam, Everton

The Everton midfielders have been crazy underrated this season. Jack Garner is legitimately one of the best midfielders in European football right now, and the 22 year old defensive mid Tim Iroegbunam who, sometimes, starts next to him is also worth a shout.

Now, Iroegbunam is way too inconsistent to be even remotely considered one of the top overall midfielders in the Premier League, but when he is on his A game, he is tremendous. There are only a handful of midfielders who are as good as he is defensively. He is pretty close to an elite ball winner and is arguably the best one on one midfielder defensively. He has to be a name to watch on everyone’s radar going into the 2026/27 season once he starts really developing.

4. Yasin Ayari, Brighton

Yasin Ayari is a young man I have been very high on, and the Swedish international represents the continued excellence of Brighton’s recruiting, though he and several of his teammates are beginning to fly under the radar with the Seagulls no longer in the spotlight as European contenders.

This season, Ayari has contributed five goals and has really stepped up his game with more defensive involvements, actively winning possession for Brighton. A technical player and a crisp passer of the ball, Ayari’s numbers would look significantly better on a better team.

3. Alex Scott, Bournemouth

Now we get to the true breakout stars of the Premier League this season. Alex Scott is surely going to get recruited by Tottenham Hotspur or other big clubs in England soon, because he has been at the forefront of the Cherries playing some great football this season.

Scott is a top notch defensive presence with his ability to win possession, and he does a great job of progressing the ball with athletic forays into the final third as well as accurate passing.

2. Mateus Fernandes, West Ham

If West Ham United get relegated, some fortunate team is going to land Mateus Fernandes and reap the rewards, because for as terrible as the Hammers have been yet again this season, Fernandes, out of nowhere, has been absolutely brilliant in all phases of the game.

His numbers are outstanding on a relegation team. Fernandes has six goal contributions, a key pass per game, 1.4 fouls drawn per match, and nearly four combined tackles and interceptions per game this season. He has been a monster in possession with an eye to contribute to goals, and his motor on both ends of the pitch in the middle of the park will serve the 21 year old well. He has serious superstar potential.

1. Adam Wharton, Crystal Palace

But no U23 Premier League midfielder has the upside of Adam Wharton. The Crystal Palace star is going to be coveted by the elite of the elite this summer, and clubs in need of a deep lying playmaker who can set the tempo like Manchester United, Liverpool, and even the mighty Real Madrid should be lining up with him.

Wharton is so, so good at creating clear cut goal scoring chances out of nothing. There needs to be a little more development in his defensive screening in order for him to be a truly elite defensive midfielder, but he is still decent in that regard, and he is also well above average at holding the ball up and maintaing possession to recycle play. Wharton is a special talent.