There’s always at least one player who has a ‘breakout’ season but, as far as the 24-25 Premier League campaign was concerned, this SBOTOP writer has selected four who stood out more than most.
Some of their progress was quicker than expected, others came from left field, but they all contributed to Premier League 2025 highlights for their clubs.
Indeed, it will be fascinating to see how their development progresses next term, particularly as one has only gone and been snapped up by the mighty Spanish giants Real Madrid.
In fact, let me start with Dean Huijsen who was excellent for Bournemouth throughout.
From being unwanted at Roma and Juventus to becoming one of the unsung stars of the campaign and earning a call-up to the Spain national team, Huijsen’s career trajectory shows the importance of making the right club move at the right time.
At Bournemouth, under the guidance of Andoni Iraola, he transformed into one of the most sought-after young defenders in Europe.
In total, he racked up 36 appearances across all competitions, chipping in with three goals and two assists and was named Bournemouth’s official Player of the Season.
Although few expected him to catch the attention of top clubs so quickly following his transfer, he has become a key figure for both his club and now, potentially, his country.
With no shortage of suitors, no wonder Madrid, pipped by Manchester United last summer to the signing of Lenny Yoro, acted so decisively to trigger his £50 million release clause and land a centre back who seems set to have a big future in the game.
The obvious question now is can Bournemouth’s scouting department pull off a coup like it again?
If such a move is testament to just how good his debut season on the south coast has been, a season in which Bournemouth secured a top 10 finish, a record points total and a best points tally against the big six – defying the Premier League 2025 betting odds in the process – there are other players who deserve honourable mentions.
It may have been a fairly miserable season for Manchester City but fans began to see the talent of Nico O’Reilly start to shine through on the bigger stage.
The midfielder had initially impressed with his performances in City’s youth teams, winning the Youth Premier League title before beginning to integrate into the senior squad.
This time, a series of injuries and Pep Guardiola’s tactical experiments allowed him to break into the first team and, while game time in the top flight was limited, his role in the FA Cup was more prominent.
A regular starter, he netted a match-winning brace against Plymouth and two assists against Bournemouth in the quarter-finals before starting both the semi-final against Nottingham Forest and playing the whole of the FA Cup Final.
That may have ended in heartache for the youngster but you suspect there will be other chances to come as Guardiola aims to rebuild his fallen champions.
My other choice is also a full-back in the shape of Myles Lewis-Skelly who, like O’Reilly, appeared on the first-team radar at just the right time.
Injuries to Riccardo Calafiori, and a lack of opportunities for Oleksandr Zinchenko and Kieran Tierney, opened the door for Lewis-Skelly to break into the starting line-up and he produced some mature performances, even managing to score a goal against City in February when he mimicked Erling Haaland’s ‘Zen’ celebration (cheeky or disrespectful, it suggested he’s not short of confidence).
An England call-up duly followed and he has now featured in two qualifying matches for the 2026 World Cup. After making life difficult for some of the league’s most fearsome wingers as the Gunners’ left-back, and displaying signs that he can contribute from an attacking perspective, Arsenal may well have produced a gem with a long-term future.
My final word goes to Elliot Anderson. A homegrown midfielder who Newcastle parted company with last summer to stay within the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules, their loss was Nottingham Forest’s gain as the 22 year-old combined an effective blend of grit and grace to become an integral part of Nuno Espirito Santo’s midfield.
Here is someone who can play in the 10 position and link up with the striker, but can also do the defensive work, picking up the ball from the back line and dictating play.
If he continues to display the form he has shown during Forest’s renaissance, England boss Thomas Tuchel may also be bringing him into the fold well before next year’s World Cup.
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