10 EFL wonderkids that could have big Premier League futures

January 20, 2021

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Born in the south east of Ireland, Simon put his life-long love of football to good use when he started a successful independent blog in 2010. That opened up an alternative route to a career in journalism, and having had work published across a number of sites and publications, Simon joined the staff at Spotlight Sports Group in 2018.

For many years, Premier League clubs turned their noses up at the prospect of signing players from England’s lower leagues, instead choosing to scour the foreign markets for new recruits.

However, in more recent seasons, the Championship, League One and League Two have become hot beds of emerging talent, and a steady supply of raw diamonds have been climbing up through the reaches of English football to become top tier superstars.

Since 2015, players like Mason Holgate, Demarai Gray, Daniel James, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Nick Pope, Dele Alli, Ollie Watkins and James Maddison have all made the transition from the EFL to the Premier League, proving that it’s possible to unearth some real gems in the Football League.

With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at some of the EFL wonderkids that could be ready to make the jump to the Premier League soon.

Remember, you can keep right on top of all our betting tips for England’s lower leagues on our match predictions page.

Ben Cabango – Swansea City

Swansea City have the Championship’s best defensive record this season, and the Swans’ robust displays at the back are driving their promotion push.

In terms of individual performers 20,-year-old Ben Cabango has been a rock at centre-half for Steve Cooper’s side, and the newly capped Welsh international has a lengthening list of Premier League admirers.

Adam Armstrong – Blackburn Rovers

Versatile forward Adam Armstrong has taken his game to another level this season, and the 23-year-old attacker has already matched his entire 16-goal haul for last year in just 23 Championship appearances in 2020/21.

The ex-Newcastle starlet and regular England youth international has been strongly linked with a move to West Ham this month, and Armstrong has the skill-set to be a real hit in the top-tier.

Josh DaSilva – Brentford

Tenacious midfielder Josh DaSilva left Arsenal in search of a less crowded path to first team football back in 2018, and the England Under-21 international has been making huge strides at Brentford since.

As a key cog in the Bees’ engine room, DaSilva has combined his creativity with a combative edge to great effect in the Championship, and the 22-year-old is destined to return to the Premier League soon.

Jason Knight Derby County

Jason Knight – Derby County

New Rams boss Wayne Rooney has been effusive in his praise of young Derby midfielder Jason Knight of late, though the all-action Dublin-born schemer might not be at Pride Park for much longer.

Burnley, Crystal Palace and West Ham are all thought to be manoeuvring behind the scenes in an attempt to snare Knight during the January transfer window, and the 19-year-old could soon be rubbing shoulders with some of football’s biggest names.

Di’Shon Bernard – Salford City (on loan from Manchester United)

Cultured centre-back Di’Shon Bernard’s long-term future might lie away from his parent club Man Utd, though the defender’s displays for League Two outfit Salford this season suggest he can forge a career at the top for himself elsewhere.

The 20-year-old has been a commanding presence for City this term, and while he never shies away from the dirty work, his technical ability on the ball allows him to really stand out.

Max Watters – Cardiff City

After he smashed home an eye-watering 13 goals in 12 League Two starts for Crawley Town in the first half of the campaign, clinical finisher Max Watters was snapped up by Championship side Cardiff City in January, after the Bluebirds paid a cool £1m to bring him to Wales.

The Camden-born hitman will hope that his touch in the final third is just effective two tiers up, though the 21-year-old has time on his side if he needs a spell to adapt.

Tyrese Campbell Stoke City

Tyrese Campbell – Stoke City

Flying Potters winger Tyrese Campbell has been sprinkling his stardust all over the Championship this season, and the 21-year-old’s six goals and five assists in 13 starts is an impressive bounty for a player of his inexperience.

Schooled at Manchester City’s famed academy, Campbell chose to drop down a division to see more action, and his decision has so been fully justified so far.

Dael Fry – Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough have a number of promising young players in their ranks, but Boro born and bred defender Dael Fry is probably the pick of the bunch.

The 23-year-old has hardly put a foot wrong at the heart of the Middlesbrough rearguard this season, and with a cluster of Premier League clubs tracking the ex-England youth international, it won’t be long before he makes the leap.

Bright Osayi-Samuel – QPR

Earlier this month, Bright Osayi-Samuel signed a pre-contract with Turkish giants Fenerbache that will see the gifted attacking midfielder move to the Super Lig when his current deal with Rangers expires in the summer.

The 23-year-old has been in dazzling form in the Championship this term, where is 2.8 successful dribbles per game average makes him one of the division’s most captivating players to watch.

Harvey Elliott – Blackburn Rovers (on loan from Liverpool)

Even at the tender age of just 17, Harvey Elliott has been mixing it brilliantly with his more senior counterparts in the Championship this season, and the Liverpool loanee’s ingenuity makes him one of the league’s most dangerous attacking players.

Elliott has already notched four goals and seven assists in just 18 starts in the competition for Rovers, and though breaking into the XI back at Anfield could prove tough, the wonderkid has the razzle-dazzle to make him a headline act elsewhere.