Rising stars to watch

With data at the heart of decision-making in football, TransferRoom’s insights help clubs identify not just today’s stars but tomorrow’s game-changers.

TransferRoom's Potential Rating shows us who is on their way to becoming a top player, and we can reveal the 10 by their Potential Rating  at the 2025 UEFA Under-21 European Championship being hosted in Slovakia this summer.

These 10 talents may not yet household names, but our data suggests they’re on a steep upward trajectory - combining rapid development, increasing minutes, and high-impact performances.

The top 10 shows the dominance of the Premier League when it comes to gathering young talent, with three representatives across Arsenal, Liverpool and Brighton & Hove Albion, while Mathys Tel, who was on loan at Tottenham Hotspur from Bayern Munich in 2024/25, continues to impress.

Close behind is the Portuguese Primeira Liga, highlighting the country’s reputation as a youth development powerhouse. Sporting CP and SC Braga combine for three entries  including the list’s No.1, Geovany Quenda, who is joining Chelsea in the summer of 2026, with a 94.1 Potential Rating at just 18.

The Eredivisie continues its tradition of nurturing top-tier youth with two standouts from AZ Alkmaar and Ajax.

Interestingly, there are no players from the Bundesliga, La Liga, Serie A or Ligue 1 in this top 10 - a sign that talent is thriving outside the traditional "big five" leagues or that top young stars from those competitions are already well-established.

Top 10 revealed

10. Mathys Tel (20, Tottenham Hotspur)
TR Potential | 89.7
xTV | €61.1M

Tel is a versatile forward with blistering pace and clinical finishing. After his loan move to Spurs, he continues to demonstrate why he’s regarded as one of Europe’s most lethal young attackers.

9. Jorrel Hato (19, Ajax Amsterdam)
TR Potential | 89.8
xTV | €44.9M

One of the standout young defenders in the Eredivisie, Hato’s versatility and maturity defy his age. Whether at left-back or centre-back, his defensive IQ and ball progression shine.

8. Brajan Gruda (21, Brighton & Hove Albion)
TR Potential | 90.3
xTV | €43.4M

A direct and dynamic winger, Gruda combines flair with end product. At Brighton, he’s flourishing in a system that rewards intelligent movement and technical excellence.

7. Harvey Elliott (22, Liverpool FC)
TR Potential | 90.5
xTV | €40.6M

A technically gifted midfielder with superb close control and vision, Elliott has carved out a key squad role at Liverpool. His intelligence in tight spaces and attacking creativity are hallmarks of his game.

6. Ryan Flamingo (22, PSV Eindhoven)
TR Potential | 90.5
xTV | €36.6M

A modern, ball-playing centre-back, Flamingo has impressed with his composure under pressure and ability to break lines with his passing. Now at PSV, his development continues at a rapid pace.

5. Rome Jayden Owusu-Oduro (20, AZ Alkmaar)
TR Potential | 90.7
xTV | €12.1M

Calm and composed with strong distribution, Owusu-Oduro has grown into a reliable presence for AZ. The Dutch U21 international looks poised to become the next top goalkeeper off the Eredivisie production line.

4. Ethan Nwaneri (18, Arsenal FC)
TR Potential | 91.4
xTV | €62.5M

A record-breaking Premier League debutant at 15, Nwaneri continues to rise through the ranks at Arsenal. Blessed with balance, vision and technique, he’s one of England’s most exciting attacking prospects.

3. Roger (19, SC Braga)
TR Potential | 92.1
xTV | €37.7M

An electrifying winger with pace and creativity, Roger is a constant threat on the flanks for Braga. Already producing in the Primeira Liga, his attacking instincts and versatility mark him as a future star.

2. Lukas Hornicek (22, SC Braga)
TR Potential | 92.3
xTV | €12.4M

SC Braga’s rising No.1, Hornicek is a commanding presence between the posts. With sharp reflexes and excellent shot-stopping, he's one of the highest-rated young goalkeepers in Europe.

1. Geovany Quenda (18, Sporting CP)
TR Potential | 94.1
xTV | €68.7M

A dazzling winger with explosive pace and flair, Quenda is one of the brightest talents to emerge from Sporting’s famed academy, and he's been rewarded with a move to Chelsea going through in the summer of 2026. His fearless dribbling and eye for goal have already seen him compared to some of Portugal’s greats.

From elite academies to smart scouting in emerging markets, these top 10 players represent the future of football — and clubs that are staying ahead of the curve. The blend of youth, positional diversity and rising market value is no coincidence. It’s data-driven insight in action.

TransferRoom’s Potential Rating is designed to surface these trends, cutting through the noise to highlight who’s on the path to greatness, even before the spotlight finds them.

Want to understand how Potential Rating works?

Find out more here: TransferRoom's Potential Rating — Explained

The Most Valuable U21 Players in Europe

While Potential Rating tells us who’s on their way to becoming a top player, Expected Transfer Value (xTV) shows us who’s already making a major impact.

These players are already commanding significant market attention, and for good reason. They’ve proven themselves at the top level and are already making waves across Europe’s elite leagues.

In this list we see an even higher dominance of the Premier League with six of the top ten playing in England's top league. 

Unlike many young talent lists which skew towards attackers, this top 10 includes three full-backs (Archie Gray, Ian Maatsen, Tino Livramento), one centre-back (Castello Lukeba), and a central midfielder (Elliot Anderson). This highlights how elite young defenders are becoming increasingly valuable, especially those comfortable in possession and progressive in style.

Quenda, the 18-year-old Sporting CP winger, ranks No.1 for both Potential Rating and xTV, showing he’s already delivering performances that command top-tier market value, not just promise. A breakout name worth watching closely, and that's why Chelsea have secured his services permanently from next summer.

Both Gray and Tel make the top four, showing Spurs’ smart investment in young talent. Tel, wh was on loan from Bayern, continues to rise in value thanks to consistent minutes and end product, while Gray's versatility and maturity make him a standout.

The xTV Top 10 list tends to feature slightly older players aged 21–23, like Ian Maatsen and Elliot Anderson, as they were aged 21 or younger when the qualification campaign for the U21 Euros started, making them eligible for the tournament. Their greater first-team experience boosts their market value despite a potentially lower upside.

In contrast, the Potential Rating Top 10 highlights younger talents, such as Roger and Owusu-Oduro, who are earlier in their development and may not yet command high market values. This suggests that while market value often rewards proven performance, clubs seeking undervalued talent should focus on high-potential players before their xTV catches up.

👉 Want to understand how Expected Transfer Value (xTV) works?

Check out our explainer here: TransferRoom's xTV — Explained