Find out more about the eight outstanding academy stars who have been shortlisted for their displays in 2025/26
Eight young players have been nominated for the 2025/26 Premier League Under-18 Player of the Season award.
The nominees have been selected by the Premier League Football Development Panel, who will also decide the winner. That winner will be announced at the Premier League Youth Development Conference on Tuesday 12 May.
Watch: Highlights of the eight nominees
*Scroll across to see full table on mobile. CS = Clean sheets
Mathis Eboue (Chelsea): Eboue signed his first professional contract following his 17th birthday in February this year, a reward for the creative forward’s sparkling form and continued progress that saw him claim 11 goals and five assists.
Chizaram Ezenwata (Chelsea): In his first full-time season as an Under-18, Ezenwata’s sharp footwork and clinical finishing produced 22 goal involvements, scoring 15 times and providing seven assists.
Joseph Junior Gabriel (Man Utd): Gabriel scored an incredible 20 goals in just 21 league appearances for Manchester United’s U18s this season. The 15-year-old also gained valuable experience by joining in with the first-team squad’s training.
Teddie Lamb (Man City): Sixteen-year-old Lamb used his ability to hold up the ball and link up play in forward positions brilliantly in a productive campaign that yielded 18 goals and four assists.
Albert Mills (Man Utd): A big part of why Man Utd’s defence proved so difficult to breach, having conceded the fewest goals in the league. Towering centre-back Mills has already trained with the senior squad.
Joe Roberts (Middlesbrough): Able to play as an attacking midfielder or out wide, Roberts’ energy and creativity has been a big influence in Boro’s midfield this season.
Joshua Sonni-Lambie (Liverpool): Sonni-Lambie’s terrific form for Liverpool’s U18s earned a promotion to Rob Page’s U21 side in March, making his first PL2 start at Crystal Palace. His searing pace and an eye for goal – he netted 16 times this season – has troubled defences in 2025/26.
Tyler Tingey (Spurs): Versatile Tingey has impressed at centre-back and also when called upon to play a central midfield role. Leading by example this season, Tingey has produced more blocks (24) and interceptions (26) than any team-mate.
