Chelsea’s long-term investment in emerging football talent is beginning to yield results, as the club boasts a leading number of nominees on the 2025 Golden Boy shortlist. The prestigious award, honoring the most outstanding under-21 player in European football, features ten Premier League representatives—three of whom are current or future Chelsea stars. The inclusion highlights the effectiveness of the Blues’ aggressive youth recruitment strategy, placing them on par with European heavyweights Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain.
Golden Boy Award: A Glimpse into Football’s Future
Founded by Italian outlet Tuttosport, the Golden Boy award celebrates the most impressive young male footballer in Europe each calendar year. To qualify, players must be under 21 and compete in a top-tier European league. Notable past winners include Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, and Jude Bellingham.
The 2025 shortlist includes 25 players—20 selected through the Football Benchmark Index, which factors in performance, playing time, and club strength. An additional five wildcard entries are handpicked by Tuttosport’s editorial team.
Chelsea’s Youth Movement Gets the Spotlight
Chelsea’s dominance in the youth market has paid off, with three players already under contract and another set to join soon making the cut. Brazilian sensation Estevao Willian is widely seen as the Premier League’s best bet to win the award, showcasing dazzling form and a high ceiling.
Jorrel Hato, a versatile defender, and Mamadou Sarr, currently on loan at Strasbourg, also represent Chelsea’s deep bench of young talent. Joining them is Geovany Quenda, who is expected to arrive from Sporting CP at the end of the season, further strengthening the club’s youth core.
With four names tied to the club, Chelsea have more prospective winners than any other Premier League side and even edge out Real Madrid in total number of players connected to the club.
Premier League’s Bright Young Stars Make Their Mark
The Premier League contributes ten players to this year’s shortlist, reflecting the league’s continued emphasis on developing homegrown and international youth talent.
Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri earn nominations, though Lewis-Skelly’s stock has dipped after losing his starting role to new signing Riccardo Calafiori. Tottenham’s duo of Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray ensures North London is well represented, with both players showing immense promise.
Elsewhere, Leny Yoro (Manchester United), Giovanni Leoni (Liverpool), and Nico O’Reilly (Manchester City) round out the Premier League contingent, providing hope for the future of English football.
Complete List of 2025 Golden Boy Nominees
Top 20 via Benchmark Index:
- Eliesse Ben Seghir (Bayer Leverkusen)
- Lucas Bergvall (Tottenham)
- Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona)
- Désiré Doué (PSG)
- Victor Froholdt (Porto)
- Archie Gray (Tottenham)
- Arda Güler (Real Madrid)
- Jorrel Hato (Chelsea)
- Dean Huijsen (Real Madrid)
- Myles Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal)
- Senny Mayulu (PSG)
- Franco Mastantuono (Real Madrid)
- Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal)
- Geovany Quenda (Sporting CP → Chelsea)
- Nico O’Reilly (Manchester City)
- Mamadou Sarr (Strasbourg, on loan from Chelsea)
- Estevao Willian (Chelsea)
- Kenan Yildiz (Juventus)
- Leny Yoro (Manchester United)
- Warren Zaire-Emery (PSG)
Wildcard Picks:
- Jobe Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund)
- Giovanni Leoni (Liverpool)
- Rodrigo Mora (Porto)
- Francesco Pio Esposito (Inter Milan)
- Aleksandar Stankovic (Club Brugge)
Chelsea’s Youth Philosophy Gains Validation
For Chelsea, this shortlist isn’t just a moment of recognition—it’s a signal that their ambitious approach to youth recruitment is working. By securing the signatures of top-tier prospects across the globe and providing development pathways through loan systems and affiliated clubs like Strasbourg, the Blues are building a foundation for sustained success. While the award will ultimately go to just one player, Chelsea’s significant representation suggests the club is positioning itself as a long-term powerhouse in player development.
