NTT20 Scouts: 10 future England internationals in the EFL
Who could follow in the footsteps of Jude, Djed, John and more?
Ing-ger-lund, Ing-ger-lund, Ing-ger-lund…
Today’s article is more than a perfunctory overlap between Not The Top 20 and The England Pod. It is understated just how much England’s men’s team rests on the strength of the entire pyramid. Not even Venn and his diagram can overcomplicate the picture.
The EFL is huuuuuuuge for England. Which is why, when we see tweets asking, “Who on Earth is going to be England’s starting striker after Harry Kane?”, we lock our phones, lean back in the rocking chair and stroke our chins or whiskers with a knowing smile, and start writing a piece like this one.
The nine members of the 2026 World Cup squad who spent meaningful parts of their development as permanent players at EFL clubs are:
Jude Bellingham
John Stones
Dan Burn
Ivan Toney
Ollie Watkins
Eberechi Eze
Morgan Rogers
Djed Spence
Ezri Konsa
For some, the route was short, direct and extremely noisy. Bellingham left Birmingham City at 17, while Stones was starting for Barnsley in the Championship at 18. Both were obvious elite prospects playing senior football unusually early; “That lad’ll play for England one day” was no doubt muttered regularly at Oakwell and St Andrew’s.
For others, the journey was far more circuitous. Dan Burn didn’t leave the EFL permanently until he was 26. Ollie Watkins spent five years progressing from Exeter in League Two to Brentford in the Championship to Aston Villa in the Premier League. Toney played seven seasons in the EFL before Brentford provided his route to the top flight. There’s always room for late developers.
Some had long been regarded as top talents but needed opportunities lower down the pyramid to turn promise into progress. Rogers joined Middlesbrough after several EFL loans. Spence arrived at Boro as a 17-year-old youth signing before establishing himself in the first team.
Others accumulated years of senior football before reaching the Premier League. Konsa came through Charlton’s academy and completed three full first-team EFL seasons there and at Brentford. Eze followed a different path again: released by several academies, he was recruited by QPR for their Under-21s before forcing his way into senior football.
The lesson is that there is no single profile to look for. The next EFL player to reach an England World Cup squad might be a teenager already thriving in senior football. They could just as easily be a late developer, a former academy cast-off, or a player building steadily through several seasons in the divisions.
With that in mind, these are the 10 EFL players we think could get their hands on a cap one day – and, who knows, perhaps force their way into England’s plans for the 2030 World Cup.
Will Lankshear, Middlesbrough
Age: 21
Position: CF
EFL Appearances: 55 (+3 EPL)
George Elek
Can’t start a fire!
Can’t can’t start a fire without a spark.
And don’t Middlesbrough fans know it? Their team’s inability to finish the many chances they created under Kim Hellberg was the main reason Boro didn’t win promotion last season. Thankfully for them, Oxford fans can attest to the fact that Will Lankshear is on fire, and he’ll play the Championship off the park.
It’s an exciting move for a 21-year old English goalscorer to make at this stage of his career. A good 2026/27 campaign would see the ‘who comes after Harry Kane?’ conversation really zero in on a player who has been compared to his fellow ex-Spurs striker. He’s a great finisher with his right foot and his head. He’s a willing runner, although not the most mobile, and he can carry himself physically but often looks to buy cheap fouls. Sound familiar?
After a failed first loan at West Bromwich Albion, Lankshear scored 11 Championship goals for an Oxford side who didn’t create much. Most of those were predatory close-range finishes, although a long-distance strike against Sheffield Wednesday suggested that he, like Kane, has something more spectacular in him as well.
That spell was a huge step forward for Lankshear. He was always prolific in youth football; now he was taking those poaching instincts into the senior game. He’s further along in his development than, say, Liam Delap was at his age, and Delap got a £30m move to Chelsea not long after. Lankshear’s successful 2025/26 campaign could well be the perfect springboard for a player potentially destined for that England No.9 shirt.
Jovon Makama, Norwich City
Age: 22
Position: CF/RW
EFL Appearances: 107
George Elek
A year ago, the idea of losing Josh Sargent would have been terrifying for Norwich fans. When he did leave Carrow Road in January of this year, however, his departure was barely more than a footnote in their season, thanks to the emergence of Jovon Makama.
The 22-year-old is a fascinating profile. Being 6ft 5in, strong, and good in the air with good box movement, he is capable of playing as a goal-scoring target man. He also has the touch and feet to play wide, with a direct running style that means he’s just as comfortable peeling into wide areas to pick up the ball, before facing goal and driving forward.
Makama was a relatively late developer, with loan spells at non-league Gainsborough Trinity and Brackley Town doing little to forecast his future pedigree. It even took him a while after working his way into the Lincoln City team to show how good he was. His breakout season came in 2024/25, culminating in a hat-trick against Bristol Rovers – his final goals for the Imps, before Norwich came calling.
His development at Norwich under Philippe Clement’s tutelage was rapid, and he racked up 10 goals before a broken foot cut his season short in February. He has since sustained another foot injury and will miss the start of the season, which is frustrating because he is a good goalscoring campaign away from being one of the hottest properties in English football.
Makama’s 10 goals last season came at a rate of 0.56 per 90. If he can get anywhere near replicating that in 2026/27, then the Premier League will come calling in a year’s time, and perhaps international recognition will follow not long after.
Louis Page, Leicester City
Age: 18
Position: CM
EFL Appearances: 18
Mike McCarthy
You have to admire the confidence of any teenager who tells the media in pre-season that they want to be a “main player” at their club. When they follow that by scoring directly from a corner, you take notice.
Louis Page turned 18 only this month, but he’ll know the opportunity that Leicester’s relegation has afforded him. Although he made 18 Championship appearances last season, only five were starts. Two came in August before Jordan James and Aaron Ramsey arrived on deadline day. Another two were immediately before and after Martí Cifuentes’ dismissal in January. His only start under Gary Rowett came after relegation had been confirmed. But Leicester’s new predicament is likely to push academy talent to the front.
Page’s introduction to Leicester fans came in a #10 role, although he says Russell Martin has been using him as more of a #6 or #8 in pre-season. Confidence on the ball is of the level you would expect from a player who’s gone through the England age groups from U17 to U20, and captained England’s U18s this summer. Social media sizzle reels feature several clips of Page receiving the ball on the half-turn and driving menacingly towards opponents.
Page signed a long-term contract last September – protection of his ever-increasing value. Leicester have been investing in the Lutterworth lad since he joined their under-9s team. He was 10 years old when Ben Chilwell made his England debut and 12 when Harvey Barnes did the same. Leicester’s academy certainly provides inspiration to go with the tools to succeed.
Jay Robinson, Southampton
Age: 19
Position: LW
EFL Appearances: 26 (+4 EPL)
Huw Davies
Although Robinson was in Southampton’s final XI of their 2024/25 Premier League season, it was a surprise when he started each of their first four Championship fixtures. He rewarded Will Still’s faith with a fine display against Wrexham on opening day, taking six shots, creating two chances and hitting the post, then earned Saints a draw at Ipswich by nodding in a cross unmarked.
After that came mostly cameos, as Léo Scienza announced himself, but Still and Tonda Eckert trusted the teenager to change games or see them out. No wonder – a good dribbler is an asset late in matches, and while 882 minutes makes for a small sample size, Robinson’s average of 2.86 successful dribbles per 90 was higher than anyone in the Championship except Watford’s Othmane Maamma (2.91). His success rate of 54% far outstripped Maamma’s 38% and even those of fellow carriers-in-chief, Scienza and Abdul Fatawu.
One reason is that, playing on the left wing, Robinson is adept going either inside or outside. When slightly more central, in a 3-4-2-1, he showed he can scan, receive and shift the ball out of his feet quickly. He got into the box often and was sometimes unlucky with his finishing – against Stoke, he hit the same post twice in five seconds, once with each foot. His habit of aiming for the corners should be encouraged.
Robinson must improve defensively, but that’s true of most teenage wingers. After injury restricted him to just three minutes of action after January, he can kick on this season while progressing from England’s Under-19s to their U21s.
Mateus Mané, Wolves
Age: 18
Position: AM
EFL Appearances: 0 (+28 EPL)
George Elek
This feels a bit like cheating – but, at the time of writing, Mateus Mané will be a Championship player for the upcoming season. While he has been linked with a move to Manchester United or Liverpool, it’s all quiet as things stand, and I cannot wait to see this 18-year-old prodigy light up the EFL for Wolves.
In a grim campaign at Molineux, Mane’s introduction into the first-team was the only positive. He’s an attacking midfielder who exudes confidence in everything he does, and is excellent at receiving the ball on the turn and driving into space. Each of his three Premier League goals showed outrageous quality for a player of his age and inexperience.
The first, against West Ham – shortly after he had won a penalty – involved Mané receiving the ball with his back to goal in the left channel. A great first touch with his weaker left foot, then another with his right to shift the ball inside, preceded a ferocious near-post strike from the edge of the area.
In Wolves’ next game, he produced another sumptuous first touch when played in behind, followed by a swift, clinical finish past Everton’s Jordan Pickford. These two goals showcased the kind of decisive final-third star quality we don’t see that often.
His rocket against Fulham in May was another example of elite ball-striking, and I’d expect Mane to score a number of similarly spectacular goals this season. Of his 42 shots in the top flight, 30 came from outside the box and 12 of those 30 were on target.
Although he registered only one assist, he is a creative passer, too. Suggesting as much is an xA of 3.69 and 30 chances created, of which seven were big chances. His qualities as a ball-carrier, goalscorer and creator make him such an exciting talent for his age. He’s also fairly versatile, able to play as an #8, a #10 or off the left in a front three.
The big issue is that Mané seems to have committed his international future to Portugal. He is a former England Under-18 player, though, and remains eligible. England supporters can only hope that the FA haven’t given up on persuading him to reconsider, because he is destined for the top.
Micah Mbick, Charlton Athletic
Age: 19
Position: CF
EFL Appearances: 29
Huw Davies
Finding a future England international owned by a League Two club is understandably tricky, but in Mbick, we have a player who seriously impressed at that level last season. The question, ‘Can a teenage striker who has been prolific in youth football handle the fourth tier’s physicality?’ was answered quite emphatically: yes.
The Charlton youngster was on loan at the Cowleys’ Colchester, where he impressed straightaway. No, really, straightaway – here’s Danny Cowley after the 18-year-old made his debut:
“He trained with us only on Thursday and Friday, and a couple of senior [players] said to me, ‘That’s the best training debut I’ve ever seen’. I think he scored six goals and made four assists.”
Mbick went on to score nine competitive goals and assist another two, across 1,650 minutes (or 18.3 full 90s). As eye-catching as his goal threat was the way he used his body, offering strength in the tackle – sometimes too much, given he averaged three fouls per game – and in holding off defenders. His combination of guile and power allowed him to complete the second-most dribbles per 90 in League Two, with a remarkable 61% success rate.
It’s uncertain what 2026/27 will hold. Mbick is recovering from a bad knee injury and Charlton have eight strikers contracted, with Nathan Jones hinting at more to come. The striker’s long-term future, though, looks extremely bright.
Brad Hills, Stockport County
Age: 22
Position: CB
EFL Appearances: 90
Sam Parry
The grim reality of football is that injuries impact careers. Brad Hills picked up one to his ACL late in 2025/26, just as Stockport were cementing themselves in the League One play-offs. At the time, he looked well set to step up a division.
Hills is the complete defensive package. He’s an aggressive stopper, with enough speed to keep quick strikers quiet; he also loves to win the ball in the air and on the ground, and makes a habit of doing so.
He has already been part of the England youth setup, so there’s plenty of stock set in his talent. In the post Terry/Ferdinand era, centre-back spots – perhaps more than any other – are up for grabs for EFL graduates. Dan Burn. Harry Maguire. John Stones. Not to mention Messrs Branthwaite, Mings, Coady, Dunk, Gomez, Tarkowski…
Hills would have to be something of a late bloomer if he’s to play for England one day, but there is plenty of evidence that it can happen.
Oliver Arblaster, Sheffield United
Age: 22
Position: CM
EFL Appearances: 57 (+12 EPL)
Sam Parry
I don’t want to obsess over injuries, but they are a recurring theme. Like Brad Hills, Ollie Arblaster spent months on the sidelines with an ACL injury. He is now on the other side of his recovery, having spent a chunk of the last campaign edging – rather slowly, it must be said – towards full fitness.
Arblaster has the skills expected of a modern midfielder at the highest level. He is comfortable receiving the ball under pressure and capable of moving it forward, with the strong technique to match a smart pick-a-pass brain.
He has something else, too, which helps him to stand out from many other technically strong central midfielders. Arblaster can dribble. He accelerates quickly into space and has the confidence to carry the ball through midfield, rather than relying only on his passing ability.
Last season, he was off the pace. In 26/27, Arblaster, with a full pre-season behind him, should be a different proposition. He turned 22 this year, and a strong season could put him firmly back into the international conversation… in the Under-21s. Technically, he can play throughout qualifying and at the 2027 European U21 Championship, even though he will be 23 by then.
We’ve seen how Lewis Cook, Alex Scott, Adam Wharton and now Hayden Hackney have made the step up to the Premier League (Hackney, relatively late at the age of 24). There’s a pathway for the Championship’s best central midfielders; Arblaster’s task is to prove he’s one of them. Then, later, who knows?
Zak Sturge, Millwall
Age: 22
Position: LB
EFL Appearances: 53
Ali Maxwell
Zak Sturge was substituted in the 63rd minute of Millwall’s play-off semi-final second leg against Hull. The aggregate score was 0-0, and he had done a fantastic job of keeping Messrs Belloumi, Gelhardt and Joseph quiet. One minute later, Belloumi dribbled inside Sturge’s replacement, Alfie Doughty, and scored the goal that Sturge had done such a good job of preventing.
Sturge, 22, has a youth career CV featuring Brighton, then Chelsea – the football equivalent of an undergraduate degree at UCL followed by a Master’s at Oxford. Without a first-team pathway, he joined Millwall on loan in January 2025, then permanently that summer. He fought off Doughty and Joe Bryan to become Millwall’s starting left-back and finished 2025/26 strongly.
His physical, mental and defensive attributes are most encouraging. He is dogged, yet quick and agile in mind as well as body. Solid on the ball in defensive and midfield phases, he also has a knack for attacking the back post in space – although he does currently offer little in the way of quality delivery or dribbling in the final third.
If that ceiling never rises, then Tyrick Mitchell is the best comparison: Sturge should have a Premier League career and could make an England squad with good form, luck and a fair wind. Nico O’Reilly, Lewis Hall and Myles Lewis-Skelly are all younger than he, so the path to the very top looks long, but a full Championship season with Millwall should build momentum for his career and attract interest from top-flight clubs.
Jake Richards, Luton Town
Age: 18
Position: CM
EFL Appearances: 46
Craig Bradley
When evaluating long-term potential in a young player, performance data is arguably less significant than passing the eye test. Jake Richards passes the eye test.
The teenager is graceful yet gritty, showing the kind of commitment in the tackle that you want in a #6 or an #8. His future could lie in either role, or as a #10, or even drifting in from the right wing, such is his broad skill set. Richards’ most eye-catching asset – and the kind you can’t see in the metrics – is the movement of his hips, as he rotates his body upon receiving the ball in order to be facing forward, always looking to progress play. It’s one sign of an elite midfielder.
He’s another graduate of Exeter City’s academy, which produced several future stars. But, whereas Ethan Ampadu, Jay Stansfield and Matt Grimes all jumped a division or two when they left Exeter as teenagers (Ollie Watkins, at 21, was more established by the time of his exit), Richards chose to stay in League One when he moved on. He was 17, yet instead of following the elite academy path and playing in PL2 for several years, he went to Luton last summer and got another 1,300 league minutes under his belt. That drive is easy to see in his play.
Will Richards win an England cap one day? Perhaps, perhaps not. But when a player makes 100 senior appearances before his 20th birthday, as looks likely to happen by the end of this season, that’s something you can find yourself pointing to, years down the line, when saying, “Of course, we always knew he was going to the top…”