In a high-quality Championship this season, many young prospects have emerged to provide a spark or stability for their club’s ambitions.
With many national teams currently in transition and looking to strengthen their squads, The Real EFL have picked out five players who could be likely candidates to make the step up on the international stage in the coming years.
Crysencio Summerville (Leeds United) – The Netherlands
The pacey and prolific Leeds United winger has been a standout performer in the Championship so far this season, tormenting defenders left, right and centre. With a combined total of 25 goal involvements already, the 22-year-old has been scintillating for the West Yorkshire side as they look to push for automatic promotion. Having already received plenty of playing time in the Premier League the season prior, Summerville could seriously contend for a national team call-up.
Due to a particularly ageing front line, the Dutch national team could look to the EFL for their next star winger. With other promising talents like Ajax’s Brian Brobbey and Toulouse striker Thijs Dallinga already breaking into the first team, Summerville could emerge as another huge asset for the side, particularly with Euro 2024 right around the corner.
Yaser Asprilla (Watford) – Colombia
Another national side hindered by an ageing squad, Colombia will hope the Watford playmaker can carry on his current form for the club. This season for the Hornets, Asprilla has demonstrated his cutting edge and unselfishness to provide six goals and five assists for the team sat in 11th. Furthermore, the Colombian has already sparked interest from Spanish giants Barcelona which further emphasises the clear quality that the youngster possesses.
The 20-year-old has already played three games for the South American nation but, in recent times, has primarily seen himself stuck on the bench. With the left-wing seemingly locked down by Liverpool’s Luis Diaz, the right side could do with an equally as consistent performer – Asprilla could develop into that and more.
Mads Hermansen (Leicester City) – Denmark
The Schmeichel legacy of Danish shot-stopping is looming towards its end. With Kasper turning 38 in November, the national team must look to their younger crop of goalkeepers. Despite receiving a call-up to the latest Euro Qualifying camp, Hermansen was unfortunately benched against San Marino, Slovenia and Northern Ireland. After successfully qualifying for Euro 2024, the Danes will be hopeful that a strong union of goalkeepers can provide the backbone for an ambitious effort to replicate their previous European campaign.
The Leicester City first-choice keeper has represented Denmark from the U17s through to the U21s. With 11 clean sheets in a tough Championship campaign this season, Hermansen could likely make a huge step up to take on Schmeichel’s mantle in the next couple of years.
Jaden Philogene-Bidace (Hull City) – England
With the recent development that Philogene could be the subject of a move back to Aston Villa this summer, the young English winger has already impressed this season for the Tigers, drumming up Premier League and European demand for his signature. As a stand-out performer in the Championship so far, the 22-year-old has already netted eight goals for the play-off hopefuls and registered six assists.
Competition is undoubtedly high for a place in a strengthening English national team, but Philogene has plenty of potential, exemplified by his recent market interest. Since breaking into the team, the winger has already been a key player in the England U21s side, providing two goals in three appearances so far at that level. There’s no reason why Philogene can’t make the step up to the first team in a few years and become a crucial squad player for the Three Lions.
Joon-Ho Bae (Stoke City) – South Korea
There’s no doubt that Stoke City are underperforming the expectations set for them at the start of the season. In a side now battling to avoid relegation, Joon-Ho Bae has been one of the very few obvious sparks. An extremely astute piece of business saw the Potters snap up Bae from Daejeon Hana Citizen FC in the K-League in the summer. Despite not finding the back of the net so far in this campaign, the young winger has offered three assists in his fourteen starts in the Championship.
Having already played 11 times for South Korea’s U20s, Joon-Ho Bae has had some minor experience at international level. The Stoke winger may have to be more patient than the others on this list, however, with players like Tottenham Hotspur’s Heung-Min Son still only 31. Nevertheless, he could well find himself challenging for a place on the bench soon if he continues to impress for the Potters.