15 EFL Rising Stars To Watch in 26/27
Countdown to Kick-Off #9 | Ali Maxwell gets all 'Football Manager' about it.
Ali Maxwell
Today, I’m selecting five academy-developed players from each EFL division who I’ll be monitoring closely this season. Some began to establish themselves towards the end of last term, but many have yet to play a single league minute. Give ’em a name: your classic 2010s-FM Wonderkid.
The reality, of course, is rather less certain. Some of these players may not play a minute this season. It’s difficult to judge with any clarity at this stage of the summer: most clubs still have plenty of recruitment to do, while the stars of pre-season may yet head out on loan or return to the under-21s.
I’m more cynical than most when the rave reviews start rolling in after a few friendly appearances. But there is something about this group, from what I’ve seen, heard or gleaned, that has me excited.
Perhaps nothing in football excites me more than watching a young player explode onto the scene. I don’t dress well, and I’m no good at discovering new music, although have you heard of Geese? This - spotting footballers - is my only realistic chance to know about something before everyone else does, and I want you to come on that journey.
Perhaps the most obvious of the lot, and already referenced by Huw in his excellent piece on Thursday.
Atcheson made his first league start on 4 January, and by the end of the season he was a nailed-on starter. In March, he made his Northern Ireland debut.
Just how good is Atcheson? Are we talking about a future John Stones or Harry Maguire-level EFL academy centre-back? We’ll find out quickly: Tony Mowbray isn’t scared of playing young defenders.
