It’s a big year for English players. New national team manager Thomas Tuchel will select his team to travel to the United States for the 2026 World Cup at the end of the season, so it’s a last chance to impress with the hope of landing a seat on the plane.
As three of Europe’s top five leagues kick off this week, we’ve picked out ten English players to watch this season.
Jack Grealish
Everton
- Age: 29
- Position: Left winger
Former Aston Villa captain and Manchester City’s £100 million man is taking a bit of a gamble this summer, joining David Moyes’s Everton on a season-long loan.
Grealish’s form took a hit last year, making only 20 Premier League appearances with one goal and one assist. But the 29-year-old will aim to recapture his form with regular minutes at the new Hill-Dickinson Stadium in the lead up to the 2026 World Cup.
Liam Delap
Chelsea
- Age: 22
- Position: Striker
There was fierce competition for Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap at the start of the summer, with several Premier League clubs looking to activate the 22-year-old’s release clause. In the end, it was Chelsea who won the race for the striker.
Delap has already appeared eight times for Chelsea in preseason and Club World Cup matches, most recently scoring twice against AC Milan. However, Delap is now competing with fellow new signing Joao Pedro for the starting striker position, which is a battle he’ll need to win if he wants to continue the momentum he gained last campaign.
Morgan Rogers
Aston Villa
- Age: 23
- Position: Attacking midfielder
Attacking midfielder Morgan Rogers flourished in his second season at Aston Villa after joining from Middlesbrough. In 54 appearances, the 23-year-old scored 14 goals and added 13 assists, earning his first England call-up in November.
Rogers was one of the most exciting players to watch in the league last season, but will enter this year with much higher expectations now that he’s shown what he’s capable of.
Adam Wharton
Crystal Palace
- Age: 21
- Position: Central midfielder
21-year-old Crystal Palace central midfielder has been considered one of England’s most exciting prospects for several seasons now.
After two solid first seasons in South London, with glimpses of brilliance, Wharton will hope to contribute more regularly this season after missing a chunk of games through injury last year. With a fantastic range of passing, Wharton will need to add more assists to his game, after notching just two last year.
Jamie Gittens
Chelsea
- Age: 21
- Position: Left winger
Newly signed Chelsea left winger Jamie Gittens returns to England after five years in Germany. The 21-year-old joined Borussia Dortmund from Manchester City’s academy in 2020.
Gittens showcased immense talent and athletic ability in a breakout season last year, scoring eight Bundesliga goals and four goals in the Champions League. He’ll now look to translate that success to the Premier League, under more pressure from fans and the English media.
Angel Gomes
Marseille
- Age: 24
- Position: Midfielder
A player who often flies under the radar for England supporters, Angel Gomes is preparing for another year of action in French Ligue 1, this time with Marseille after leaving Lille this summer.
Gomes was a standout performer for Lille in 2022/23 and 2023/24, earning his first England call-up under Gareth Southgate. Now at a new club, Gomes looks to recapture that form and earn the attention of Thomas Tuchel ahead of the World Cup.
Elliot Anderson
Nottingham Forest
- Age: 22
- Position: Defensive midfielder
22-year-old defensive midfielder and Newcastle academy product Elliot Anderson made the move from Tyneside to Nottingham last summer and enjoyed a fantastic first season at the club.
Anderson ranked third overall in average match rating amongst Forest players according to FotMob statistics, and finished with two goals and six assists in 30 Premier League appearances, all while ranking third in the side for tackles per 90. A well-rounded player, he should be in for another big season in 25/26.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall
Everton
- Age: 26
- Position: Midfielder
Former Leicester City talisman Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall joined Chelsea just last summer, but despite winning two trophies in just one season, Dewsbury-Hall didn’t quite make the impact he would’ve wanted in the Premier League.
One year later, he’s switched the blue of Chelsea to the blue of Everton, joining the Toffees on a permanent deal. He was a fantastic player for Leicester and will have the opportunity to recapture that form with regular minutes in David Moyes’s Everton side.
Jarell Quansah
Bayer Leverkusen
- Age: 22
- Position: Centre-back
22-year-old Liverpool defender went the other way amidst the big-name signings of Florian Wertz and Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen to Liverpool.
After a promising 23/24 season in the Liverpool first team, he didn’t quite build on that momentum last year. Now Quansah will hope to join the growing group of English players who’ve boosted their careers with moves to Germany.
James McAtee
Manchester City
- Age: 22
- Position: Attacking midfielder
Manchester City youngster James McAtee looks to be on his way to Nottingham Forest in what will be the biggest move of his career so far. The 22-year-old attacking midfielder spent two seasons on loan with Sheffield United, performing well in both, before staying at Manchester City for his first full season last year.
The attacking midfielder scored seven goals in 27 appearances, most of them off the bench. If the expected move to Nottingham Forest goes through, McAtee could have a big year ahead of him.
