The English Football League (EFL) has always been a breeding ground for some of the world’s most amazing football talent.
Something about the EFL helps to build a phenomenal group of young players that never fail to make their mark on the sport, catching the eye of fans and scouts alike. 2023 has been no exception, with some promising young players emerging within the EFL.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at some of the young talent currently making serious waves in the EFL and shaping the future of football.
Emre Tezgel
Club: Stoke City
Age:18
Position: Striker
Emre Tezgel has been making a serious impression recently at Stoke City. Tezgel appeared in January 2022 as Stoke City’s youngest-ever player. The teenager was brought on as a substitution during a match in the FA Cup. This moment appears to have begun Tezgel’s career as he has agreed to a three-year professional contract that began when he turned just 17. This is not Tezgel’s first taste of success though. While playing in the England Under 16s against Northern Ireland, he scored a hattrick. So be sure to keep an eye out for the name Emre Tezgel in any EFL tips you might stumble across.
Adam Idah
Club: Norwich City
Age: 22
Position: Striker
Born in Cork, Idah began playing at the age of 6 with the Collage Corinthians. He stayed with the Corinthians for 10 years as he moved up the ranks before eventually entering into the academy at Norwich City. Idah has been making waves ever since, including winning the Under 18 Player of the Season and scoring a hattrick against Tottenham Hotspur.
Yaser Asprilla
Club: Watford
Age: 19
Position: Right Winger/Midfielder
Yaser Asprilla was already a prominent young player in his homeland of Columbia. Asprilla emerged from the Envigado youth academy, making his professional debut in December 2020. After gaining some serious attention when he scored his first professional goals, Asprilla was transferred from Envigado to Watford in January 2022. By April this year, he had become a prominent EFL player after scoring for Watford in a match against Huddersfield.
Ronnie Edwards
Club: Peterborough
Age: 20
Position: Central Defender
Edwards began his career at just age 9 and worked his way through the Barnet youth academy, eventually becoming captain of the Under 18s team. His first major debut at the age of 16 came when he was captaining during the Middlesex Senior Cup match against Staines in 2019. Since then, Edwards has continued to gain momentum. He joined Peterborough United and made his debut in 2020 in the EFL Trophy match against Burton Albion.
Coniah Boyce-Clarke
Club: Reading
Age: 19
Position: Goalkeeper
Possibly one of the best goalkeepers among the youth of the EFL, Boyce-Clarke is somewhat of a sensation. He began his career with Reading at the age of 8. By the age of 17, Boyce-Clarke had already signed a professional contract with Reading that came into effect in 2020. He has featured in pre-season games with Bath City and played for St Albans City on a one-month youth loan. Boyce-Clarke has also made a name for himself by beginning his international career playing for the Jamaica national football team in 2023.
Conclusion
The English Football League has always been and continues to be a hub of young talent. The players we have looked at here are just a small sample of the rising stars in the EFL for 2023.
There are some truly exciting prospects emerging from the league for the upcoming years. As these young players continue to hone their skills, develop their potential, and make names for themselves on the pitch, the future of the EFL looks incredibly promising.
It is always useful to keep an eye on the up-and-coming talent that will shape the future of not only the teams you back but football itself.
