Premier League Wonderkids XI (U21 outfield, U23 GK)
Method. Outfielders must be 21 or under; goalkeepers allowed to 23. Selections are about ceiling — who projects to the biggest careers — rather than who’s played best in August.
GK — Bart Verbruggen (Brighton, 23)
Already looks like the Netherlands’ long-term No 1 profile: 1v1 presence, clean technique, confident distribution and the temperament to live with Brighton’s high-risk build-up. The upside case is a modern, high-line sweeper-keeper who saves more than xG on a multi-season sample.
RB — Josh Acheampong (Chelsea, 18)
A rare RB/RCB hybrid who can dribble out, carry under pressure and defend big spaces. The “overlapping centre-back” analogy fits: you can build patterns around his ability to step in and break lines. If minutes arrive, his blend of recovery speed and poise gives him a huge runway.
CB — Leny Yoro (Manchester United, 19)
Elite composure at an age where most centre-backs are still learning body orientation. Projects as a back-four anchor who defends the box, eats aerials and progresses with disguise. If he adapts quickly to the league’s tempo, Young Player of the Year chatter won’t be fanciful.
CB — Yerson Mosquera (Wolves, 23*)
Explosive recovery pace, front-foot defending and a willingness to split lines rather than roll the safest pass. The ceiling case is a transition monster who can live high, recover, and still tidy up the area. (*Included as selected on the show; just over the U21 cut-off but treated as a breakout profile.)
LB — Myles Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal, 18)
Not a full-back by trade — and that’s the point. Inverting into midfield, he offers tight-space carry, body-shape feints and press resistance that suits a Pep/Arteta-style rest-defence. If he settles as a 6/8 long-term, the left-back reps will only accelerate his tactical education.
DM — Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace, 21)
Plays at a tempo most 21-year-olds don’t see yet. Stays still when it matters, receives on the half-turn, punches one-touches through pressure and sets the press-trigger picture for everyone else. Ceiling: an all-phase metronome around whom a possession team can be built.
CM — Lucas Bergvall (Tottenham, 19)
Thrust into big games early and never looked out of place. Can play 10/8/6, links thirds with crisp wall passes, arrives late, and has the frame to add duels. If the end-product comes, you’re looking at a complete interior midfielder.
CM — Max Dowman (Arsenal, 15)
Yes, fifteen. Unusually mature decision-making for his age, brave touches in traffic and the physical confidence to accept the ball anywhere. Short-term minutes may be wide, but the projection is clear: a central creator with elite ceiling if development stays linear.
RW — Estevão Willian (Chelsea, 18)
Already playing like a senior: first-touch picture, burst over five yards, repeatability in 1v1s and the composure to find the extra pass. If his usage holds on the right, he gives Chelsea a persistent advantage state — someone who tilts the pitch on demand.
LW — Alejandro Garnacho (Chelsea, 21)
The attitude discourse distracts from the on-grass truth: repeatability from the left with separation pace, hard cuts into the box and clutch moments. With structure around him, his shot selection and final pass should sharpen; the raw tools are Champions League-level.
ST — (Brighton) Evan Ferguson (20)
Old-school No 9 traits — timing, penalty-box craft, back-to-goal — married to enough mobility to knit play. The projection isn’t a pressing nine who runs channels all day; it’s a penalty-area forward who finishes above xG and punishes small errors.
Bench & honourable mentions
Archie Gray (Tottenham, 18) — versatility is the feature, not the bug; projects as a high-IQ 8/6 with engine.
Carlos Baleba (Brighton, 21) — range-covering ball-winner whose passing is underrated; could transform a midfield’s defensive behaviours.
Rio Ngumoha (Liverpool, 17) — winger with Sterling-like carry volume; once the chaos tidies up, the output will follow.
Rico Lewis (Manchester City, 19) — elite game-understanding; height limits certain match-ups but not his ceiling as a hybrid 2/6.
Lewis Miley (Newcastle United, 18) — pauser and progressor; reads third-man runs earlier than most seniors.
Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United, 20) — already playing like a veteran; left out only because the XI skews to wings/ceiling bets.
Facundo Buonanotte (Brighton, 20) — ball-secure wide 10; if finishing jumps, the valuation does too.
Tactical shape & usage
This XI flexes between 4-3-3 and 3-2-5 in possession:
Build-up: Verbruggen as the spare, Acheampong tucks to form a 3 with Yoro–Mosquera while Lewis-Skelly inverts next to Wharton (2).
Progression: Bergvall runs the connector lane; Dowman drifts into the half-space to receive on the spin; Estevão stays wide to force full-back decisions.
Final third: Garnacho attacks the back post; Ferguson pins and occupies centre-backs; overlaps come from Acheampong when the press is beaten.
Why this matters: these are players who already show skills that scale — press resistance, decision-making at speed, repeatable ball-progression, and off-ball timing. That’s what turns “talented kids” into Champions League adults.
Editor’s note: ages reflect the 2025-26 season start. Some clubs/registrations in the discussion were evolving; this piece follows the show’s thrust — projecting ceilings — rather than awarding early-season form.