Best young players in league 1

[Darren]

So lets start a topic on your best young players to see if others agree.

Rules:

1)Need to be in or around your first team
2)No one over 20 years of age
3)Reasons why you think they could play at a higher level
4)Have they been linked to anyone higher up in the league's?

 

[OUFC Dan]

Ryan Ledson for us

Joined us as he wasn't going to get a look in at Everton as they had a couple of older players breaking into the first team in his position

He captained the England under 17's when they won the Euros and was very highly rated

He's a tidy passer but is more defensive minded, very calm and composed for his age and very intelligent too, I think he definitely has the potential to make it back to the top flight in the next few years but he is very young and in no rush

If he is as good as we expect this season he's likely not going to be here next year, luckily we got him on a 3 year + 1 year if we choose so it'll take huge money for someone to get him from us

 

[Robie]

Ryan Ledson for us

Joined us as he wasn't going to get a look in at Everton as they had a couple of older players breaking into the first team in his position

He captained the England under 17's when they won the Euros and was very highly rated

He's a tidy passer but is more defensive minded, very calm and composed for his age and very intelligent too, I think he definitely has the potential to make it back to the top flight in the next few years but he is very young and in no rush

If he is as good as we expect this season he's likely not going to be here next year, luckily we got him on a 3 year + 1 year if we choose so it'll take huge money for someone to get him from us

I had to check. I can't believe he is still only 19 the way he plays.

 

[Bobbin']

Ezri Konsa.

The next one off the conveyor belt for us. Versatile 19 year old who can play CB, full back and centre mid and is quality in all three positions.

Had numerous Premier League scouts watching him last season and Lee Bowyer has already said he wouldn't be surprised if he wasn't here by the time the window shuts.

I know Everton were one of the interested clubs, after Lookman last season I wish they would just piss off.

 

[nelsonpfc]

We have a few very good young players that have come through our academy although the ones I would think can step up are Conor Chaplin
Check out some of his goals, in particular vs Blackpool, Barnet away , Wycombe and Reading Home. Exceptional finisher, Left footed, but gets a few with his right and scores a few worldies. Lighting quick and very good technique. Had Liverpool and Brighton sniffing around last season. He's played just under 80 games for us, alot as sub, but still managed 17 goals in that time. Main reason he'll step up is his first touch fantastic.
Jack Whatmough. Fantastic centre half. Made his debut at 16 in league 2 and didn't look out of place. Techniqually gifted player. Very strong in the air and rarely gets done for pace either. Was outstanding in both games this season - one against Cardiff away. He's had a few injury problems but still managed just 47 games for us. Had interest from some championship clubs - fee's looking around 1.5million
Matt Clarke - signed from ipswich. Rare left footed centre half. Still amazed ipswich let him go. played at centre half in league 2 at 18 for us on loan. Looks way older than his age. He's a beast of a centre half and at 20 reads the game well. Not as good technically as Adam Webster (who went the other way), but kept Adam out of the side for a long time. Was part of the best defence in league 2.

 

[SMH]

Very early days but Terell Thomas has looked class in the two games he's played so far. Me thinks Charlton may have dropped a bollock releasing him.

 

[Bobbin']

Very early days but Terell Thomas has looked class in the two games he's played so far. Me thinks Charlton may have dropped a bollock releasing him.

Wouldn't be the first time.

When I see the youngsters we've got coming through and the players who've left to go on to good things, it's a nice reminder that no matter what is going on off the pitch at the club, our academy is the absolute dogs bollocks.

 

[joethegill]

We've got several coming through who look quality. Darren Oldaker is the main one, scorer of great goals and a calmness that belies his age - expect to see a fair bit of him this year. Other talents include Ben Chapman, centre mid who's come from nowhere this pre-season, Noel Mbo who is a powerful centre forward and left back Aaron Simpson who appears to be the real deal.

 

[Darren]

Hopefully we have some more on here after today's games.

 

[WilsdenBantam]

Hopefully we have some more on here after today's games.

Can we up the age to around 22-23? We have a few youngsters that could be decent but all are around 21-23.

 

[ThisTinpotLeague]

Absolutely not.

 

[Franchisor]

Umm..

Brandon Thomas-Asante - (striker) only 18, played a few times in the first team, scored when he was 17 in the FA Cup. Decent record at youth level. Rumoured that Crystal Palace were interested in him a few weeks ago.

 

[Marked Ox]

I would also add Canice Carroll for Oxford as well. 18 years old who can play anywhere across the defence, and can do a job in midfield. Millwall fans may remember him from our game at the New Den as he forced their manager to sub Tony Craig (iirc the name) at half time when he was playing right midfield as he was tearing Craig a new one.

He defends well, clearly talented, 2 footed, works hard and is keen to learn so listens to advice. Seems a level headed lad as well who won't get carried away. Physically, he is athletic and strong. Current Republic of Ireland youth player of the year as well.

I can see him having a very good career.

 

[UTS]

Callum Styles of Bury. Close thread.

16 years old and made around 20 appearances already. Centre midfielder who just looks so comfortable on the ball for someone so young. Numerous man of the match awards. He also holds the record for the first player in the FL to be born after 2000.

He will be sold for good money.

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/footballnews/everton-scout-bury-wonderkid-callum-12699356.amp


We've also got Tsun Dai (Hong Kong) who's 17 who's made two first team appearances this season, played well against Walsall and did OK vs Sunderland although maybe the step up in opposition was too much for him at this stage.

Say what you want about Bury throwing money at it but we've got some really good youngsters on our books.