Football Manager 27 has identified 10 Cymru Premier players with the most potential, with Connah’s Quay Nomads dominating the list.
The popular football management simulation game ranks Iestyn Jones as the player with the highest potential in the Welsh top flight, with the Briton Ferry Llansawel defender currently on loan from Swansea City.
The rankings offer an interesting insight into some of the most exciting young talents in Welsh football, highlighting players who could have particularly bright futures according to the game’s player database.
Connah’s Quay are the best-represented club, with four players featuring in the top 10. Briton Ferry Llansawel and Holywell Town each have two representatives, while Haverfordwest County and Cardiff Met complete the list with one apiece.
The rankings are based on Football Manager 27‘s assessment of player potential, rather than an official Cymru Premier scouting list.
The 10 players with the most potential in the Cymru Premier, ranked in order.
Iestyn Jones – Briton Ferry Llansawel (on loan from Swansea City)
At the top of the list is Iestyn Jones, who is regarded as the Cymru Premier player with the greatest potential.
The defender’s arrival at Briton Ferry on loan from Swansea City provides an exciting opportunity for the youngster to gain valuable senior experience and continue his development away from the academy environment.
Jones has come through Swansea’s development system and has experience of playing at Under-21 level. His move to Briton Ferry gives him the chance to test himself against experienced senior players on a regular basis.
Since his arrival, he has appeared three times in the Cymru Premier, starting against Caernarfon Town, Llandudno, and Ammanford.
At 19, he has plenty of time to develop, and the opportunity to play regular first-team football in Wales could prove an important step in his career.
Callum West – Connah’s Quay Nomads
Callum West is already demonstrating why he is considered one of the most exciting young players in the Welsh top flight.
The Connah’s Quay Nomads midfielder has attracted attention beyond Deeside, with The New Saints making an approach for his services during January 2026.
And he has continued to make an impact, despite the speculation. This term, he’s got 10 assists and eight goals in all competitions, including a hat-trick of assists against Trefelin in August.
That combination of goals and creativity makes him particularly valuable. He is capable of contributing in the final third while also providing a link between midfield and attack.
The fact that a club with the stature of The New Saints previously showed an interest speaks volumes about the impression he has made.
If West maintains his current trajectory, it would not be surprising to see further interest in his services
Rhys Watson – Connah’s Quay Nomads
Another Nomads youngster making the list is defender Rhys Watson.
Born in April 2007, Watson is still only 19 but is already gaining valuable experience in the Cymru Premier.
The centre-back previously spent time in the Stockport County system, featuring in the EFL Trophy before moving into Welsh football.
He has made 13 league appearances for Connah’s Quay during the 2026/27 campaign. He’s been deployed at both centre-back, and at left-back.
Watson’s involvement is particularly encouraging given his age. Regular exposure to senior football can be crucial for a young defender, especially when it comes to developing positional awareness, decision-making and the physical side of the game.
Standing at around 6ft 1in, he also has the physical attributes to develop into an imposing defensive presence.
There is still plenty of room for improvement, but his experience at Nomads and previous involvement in the English professional game give him a solid platform to build on.
Jack Walker – Haverfordwest County
Haverfordwest County’s Jack Walker is another player who deserves recognition.
The Scottish defender joined the Bluebirds in the summer of 2026 and has quickly become involved in their first-team set-up.
Walker has recorded 14 league appearances in the 2026/27 campaign, scoring once. His first goal came during Haverfordwest’s 1-1 draw away at Connah’s Quay in September. He also was on the score sheet in the win against Cardiff Corries in the Welsh Cup.
His ability to contribute at both ends of the pitch is an encouraging aspect of his game.
At 20, Walker is still at an important stage of his development, and the regular first-team exposure he is receiving in the Cymru Premier should help him continue to improve.
Ollie Anderson – Briton Ferry Llansawel
Ollie Anderson is another exciting prospect at Briton Ferry Llansawel, with the young forward having already attracted reported interest from English football.
Wolves were reported to be interested in signing the 19-year-old earlier this year, but Briton Ferry managed to secure his future by agreeing a new contract with the youngster.
The reported interest from a then Premier League club underlines the impression Anderson has made, with his performances in the Cymru Premier attracting attention beyond the Welsh game.
Anderson has already demonstrated his goalscoring ability at senior level, having found the net six times in 23 league appearances during the 2025/26 campaign.
He has continued to feature regularly this season, making 14 appearances and scoring three league goals.
The forward has also accumulated over 1,000 minutes of football, demonstrating that he is being trusted with a significant role in the Briton Ferry side.
For a young striker, regular opportunities at senior level are hugely important. They allow him to develop his movement, improve his decision-making in the final third and learn how to deal with experienced defenders.
With Wolves having reportedly shown an interest and Briton Ferry having moved to secure his services on a new deal, Anderson is certainly one to watch.
Jordan Hodkin – Connah’s Quay Nomads
Jordan Hodkin is another Nomads signing who has the potential to become a major asset for the club.
The young forward arrived from Marine in September 2026, with Connah’s Quay paying an undisclosed five-figure transfer fee to secure his services.
It was a significant investment in a player who had only recently joined Marine after leaving Crewe Alexandra.
Hodkin came through Crewe’s academy and had already experienced senior football before making the move to Wales. His arrival at Deeside was accompanied by considerable interest, particularly given the financial commitment made by the Nomads.
The 19-year-old has made 10 Cymru Premier appearances during the 2026/27 season, scoring four goals in 729 minutes of football.
That is an impressive return for a young forward still adapting to a new club and a different league.
His goalscoring record suggests he has the instincts to make an impact in the final third, while his experience of English football adds another interesting dimension to his development.
The Nomads will be hoping their investment pays off, with Hodkin having the potential to become an important attacking player for the club.
Adam McCoy – Connah’s Quay Nomads
Adam McCoy is another young player at Connah’s Quay who deserves a place on this list.
The midfielder, born in September 2006, previously spent time in the Burnley development system.
McCoy is still at an early stage of his senior career, but the opportunity to work within the Nomads’ first-team environment should be beneficial for his development.
He has made seven Cymru Premier appearances during the 2026/27 campaign, according to the available player records, with 245 minutes. It’s been a case of waiting for a chance to come, having been introduced as a substitute, but in the last two matches, he’s earned starts.
His background in an English professional academy and the experience of training and playing alongside established Cymru Premier footballers provide a promising foundation.
McCoy will be looking to turn his opportunities into more regular first-team involvement as the season progresses.
Jack Tierney – Holywell Town
Holywell Town have two representatives on the list, with Jack Tierney one of their most interesting young defensive prospects.
The 21-year-old defender has been involved in the first-team picture during the 2026/27 season and has already gained valuable experience against some of the strongest sides in the division.
Tierney has made nine league appearances.
For a defender, consistency and reliability are important qualities, particularly when playing for a side competing against clubs with greater resources and experience.
Tierney’s continued involvement should help him develop his understanding of the defensive side of the game.
There is plenty for him to work on, but regular senior football at this stage of his career could prove important in determining how far he can progress.
Casey Bedford – Holywell Town
Holywell’s second representative is Casey Bedford, an 18-year-old defender with plenty of time to develop.
Bedford has already been exposed to senior football despite his young age, with his involvement in the Cymru Premier providing an important opportunity to test himself against experienced opposition.
The youngster has made nine league appearances during the 2026/27 campaign in the latest available statistical records, accumulating 368 minutes.
Bedford’s age is a particularly encouraging factor. At just 18, he has considerable time to improve his physical attributes, defensive awareness and understanding of the demands of first-team football.
Tom English – Cardiff Met
Completing the list is Cardiff Met youngster Tom English.
The defender joined the Archers from Bristol Rovers in July 2026, signing a three-year contract ahead of the new Cymru Premier campaign.
The 19-year-old is a versatile option, primarily operating as a full-back but also capable of providing cover in midfield.
His arrival was an interesting piece of business for Cardiff Met, with the club bringing in a young player who has experienced the English professional football environment.
English has also taken on the challenge of combining his football career with university studies, having enrolled at Cardiff Metropolitan University.
He has made four league appearances this season, accumulating 109 minutes. English has not made a match-day squad since the 5-0 defeat to The New Saints on August 21.
