In a season that has seen multiple teenagers set records at Premier League clubs, 15-year-old Joshua Abe could be the next wonderkid to make headlines.
August saw Rio Ngumoha become Liverpool’s youngest ever scorer at the age of 16 years and 361 days, before Arsenal’s Max Dowman became the youngest player in UEFA Champions League history, aged just 15 years and 308 days, in November.
Who is Joshua Abe?
Liverpool winger Joshua Abe is likely to be the next teenage starlet you will be hearing a lot about. But who is Joshua Abe?
Abe is an English winger who is already playing for Liverpool at U18 level, despite being just 15.
He generally operates on the right flank, from where he likes to cut inside onto his favoured left foot. After watching footage of his best goals and assists, many fans have likened Abe to England senior star Bukayo Saka, Liverpool legend Mo Salah and Ballon d’Or runner-up Lamine Yamal.
Abe has scored two goals and delivered two assists in five appearances for Liverpool in this season’s U18 Premier League, while he has netted three times in five games for England U16s since August.
Insiders within the national team camp believe that Abe could be the best English winger of his generation.
U15 Joshua Abe (Liverpool) another promising winger. It’s great to see England producing these players now #LFC 🏴🔥 pic.twitter.com/8FP8G2X5Ob
— TheSecretScout (@TheSecretScout_) September 5, 2024
Is Joshua Abe under contract with Liverpool?
Joshua Abe has been a Liverpool player for more than half a decade, having first joined the club at U9 level. But he has not yet signed scholarship terms with Liverpool.
Abe’s contractual situation — coupled with his growing reputation as a future superstar — makes him a prime target for poachers from other top teams around Europe.
Multiple reports suggest scouts from Arsenal and Chelsea have watched Abe and that both of those Premier League clubs are closely monitoring his situation.
Why Joshua Abe could join Arsenal
A potential ace up Arsenal’s sleeve in the battle to sign Joshua Abe is that the player’s father is a big fan of the Gunners, who were recently revealed as the most successful Premier League club in London derbies.
However, despite Abe being tipped for greatness, there is a concern that he could find his route to the Arsenal first team blocked by Bukayo Saka, who is still only 24 and seemingly has the right-wing position locked down.
Why Joshua Abe could join Chelsea
Chelsea lost Rio Ngumoha to Liverpool in 2024, so poaching Joshua Abe could be an ideal way for the Blues to get their own back.
But would Abe want to move to Stamford Bridge? On one hand, it would be a bold move to join a club where squads at every level are famously deep and therefore competition is sky-high.
However, Enzo Maresca has shown that he will give minutes to youngsters, with Chelsea having the lowest average age of all Premier League teams’ starting XIs this season.
