Many players seek a shot at playing regularly in the Premier League, and given what is happening in this summer’s transfer window, several players might get it next season.
Liverpool, Manchester City, Brentford, and Tottenham are among those expected to let go of some of their stars, either because they don’t fit into the manager’s plans and timeline, or are looking to add more funds, which means new opportunities for those who are left behind.
As we look ahead to the 2025-26 English top-flight campaign, SBOTOP lists some of the top breakout candidates who might get their chance to create new Premier League 2025 highlights for their respective teams. Because all of them are young and have high upside, they can use this as a stepping stone to turn into a full-fledged star.
Conor Bradley, Liverpool
Liverpool may have won the Premier League this year, but they must face the reality of having to retool their aging roster. The Reds have given Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah new contract extensions, and they will continue to serve as the team’s grizzled veterans. Meanwhile, they’ve let go of Trent Alexander-Arnold and are reportedly keen on selling Andy Robertson.
Arne Slot’s side has spent a fortune to acquire Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, and Milos Kerkez. These additions should make the Reds the favorites to win the Premier League (again) next term, according to the preseason Premier League 2025 odds.
Kerkez and Frimpong are expected to be shoo-ins for the two full-back spots, but they’ll have to earn their starts with Conor Bradley around.
Bradley has recorded two assists in 19 league appearances in 2024-25, as he capitalized on Alexander-Arnold’s absence due to an ankle injury. Bradley, 21, is far from a finished article, but he fits well in Slot’s proactive tactics with his high work rate, and many argue he is a more natural right-back than Frimpong.
Rico Lewis, Manchester City
Similar to Liverpool, Manchester City have an open spot at the right-back position since Kyle Walker is expected to leave the Etihad permanently this summer. Walker suited up for AC Milan via loan in the second half of the 2024-25 season, leaving manager Pep Guardiola to play Matheus Nunes, a natural midfielder, at right-back or deploy an unusual 3-1-4-2 formation to compensate.
Enter Rico Lewis, who could take the starting right-back position for the Sky Blues next season. The 20-year-old notched one league goal and two assists across 28 Premier League games this year. He has been given his chance in the ongoing Club World Cup, but he will be suspended for two more matches after receiving straight red card against Wydad last Wednesday night. Charge it to experience, but time is on Lewis’ side to bounce back.
Kevin Schade, Brentford
Brentford are expected to sell Bryan Mbeumo this summer, with Manchester United as his top suitor, and the Cameroonian’s impending departure will surely leave a huge hole in their final third. Just like before, Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa stepped up after Ivan Toney’s move to Saudi Arabia, and Kevin Schade could take over once Mbeumo leaves the Bees.
Schade, 23, was the Bees’ third-leading scorer this year with 11 league goals and two assists. The young German can play as a winger or a striker, and he already has great chemistry with Wissa and Mikkel Damsgaard.
The only knock on Schade’s game is his decision-making. Whenever he drives towards the penalty box, he tends to overthink whether to shoot or cross, only to do neither when defenders converge on him. However, when he plays on his instincts, Schade is a brilliant player, and he should only get better as he plays more games.
Mathys Tel, Tottenham
Mathys Tel arrived at Tottenham last January via loan and has left a lasting impression, so much so that the Spurs decided to keep him permanently beyond this season. The Spurs had a £45 million buy option to keep the 20-year-old Frenchman, but they successfully negotiated the fee down to £30 million.
Tel made 13 Premier League appearances for Tottenham in 2024-25, recording two goals and one assist. The former Bayern Munich man and former backup for Robert Lewandowski played behind the likes of Dominic Solanke, Brennan Johnson, Richarlison, Son Heung-Min, Dejan Kulusevski, and Wilson Odobert. However, with Thomas Frank replacing Ange Postecoglou, Tel has a clean slate and can use the preseason to make a strong case for more playing time, especially since Richarlison, Son, and Kulusevski have dealt with injuries lately.
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