League One and Two is a hot bed of talent. England’s squad that enjoyed so much success at the World Cup in Russia was full of players that had cut their cloth in the lower leagues.

This season is no different and already we are seeing some bright prospects emerging from the clubs at this level. Even though it is early days, 10 games has shown us some lovely glimpses of what could be to come and so D3D4 has taken a look, using the InStat Football ranking index, at which players under 21 years of age appear to already be making their mark.

D3D4 Football Podcast Ep100 – And that’s our century

Check out how they rank below:

20.Ryan Giles

Club: Shrewsbury (on loan from Wolves)

Age: 19

Position: Left-wing-back

The Wolves loanee has been excellent for Salop this season. Despite his tender years, he has made the adaptation to League One life with relative ease. He bagged the winner in the season opener against Portsmouth and has been a dominant force on the left for Shrewsbury. He drives at defenders like a winger and has put in an astonishing 44 crosses already this campaign making him a great outlet on the flank for Sam Rickett’s side.

19.Josh Grant

Club: Plymouth Argyle (on loan from Chelsea)

Age: 20

Position: Centre-back

Josh Grant looks like a really talented young defender. In the handful of appearances, he has made for Argyle this season he has shown both maturity and dominance in equal measure. Good in the air and not without pace, the 20-year-old will develop extremely quickly as he comes up against come experience strikers this season – so far he has looked very smart indeed.

18.Harry Pickering

Club: Crewe Alexandra

Age: 20

Position: Left-back

Harry Pickering has arguably the best left-foot in League Two, certainly for his age. The Crewe left-back has been almost ever-present this season for the fourth tier’s Brazil. Not only has he improved defensively since last season but he has also become more effecting going forward making nine key passes and created three chances in the division so far.

17.Elvis Bwomono

Club: Southend United

Age: 20

Position: Right-back

Bwomono started his career at Queens Park Rangers before joining Southend and, despite their poor start, has actually looked very bright for the Shrimpers this season. Still only 20, the full-back has put in 28 crosses while notching an assist and creating three chances. He has pace and raw ability which, if harnessed correctly, will see him develop into some player.

16.Niall Ennis

Club: Doncaster Rovers (on loan from Wolves)

Age: 20

Position: Striker

Niall Ennis could be one of the best signings in League One this season. He looks electric and Doncaster fans will quickly fall in love with this kids ability. His loan comes off the back of a horrendous couple of injuries, with the 20-year-old suffering a broken leg and a knee injury which required surgery. This does not appear to have set him back with the young man looking more determined than ever to grab his chance. He has netted once and created five chances already for Donny showing pace, power and a great finish – an exciting talent who could be key at the Keepmoat this season.

15.Ryan Clampin

Club: Colchester

Age: 20

Position: Left-back

Ryan Clampin has made the most of his opportunities this season at Colchester. With a Kane Vincent-Young and Brennan Dickenson leaving the youngster has stepped up and looked very solid so far. He has great pace and never seems to panic when in possession. The 20-year-old is another rising star to come off the conveyor belt at Colchester and his performance in the League Cup win over Crystal Palace was sensational – remember the name as this boy’s going far.

14.Sam McCallum

Club: Coventry

Age: 18

Position: Left-back

Sam McCallum started out at non-league outfit Herne Bay. Just along the coast from Whitstable, the club clearly found a gem and he has shown that to be the case since his arrival at Coventry. Still just 18, McCallum is very comfortable on the ball and is not shy to take on his man. Getting a yard on the opposition defenders has allowed him to put in 49 crosses for the Sky Blues this season and his development should be enjoyable to watch.

13.Thibaud Verlinden

Club: Bolton Wanderers

Age: 20

Position: Left midfield

Belgium have suddenly become the place where great footballers are born and Verlinden really looks the part so far for the Trotters. The skilful winger has already shown some outrageous touches and moves in the small sample of matches he has played for Keith Hill’s side. On loan from Stoke, the 20-year-old will soon be a name everyone has heard of and Bolton fans won’t forget the goal he scored against Rotherham in a hurry!

12.Archie Collins

Club: Exeter

Age: 20

Position: Defensive midfield

How this young man is not getting more attention is a mystery. He has had a remarkable in the heart of the Grecians midfield, winning 49 challenges and being completely dominant. To be so assured in the centre of the park at just 20-years-old is a testament to his ability and to the faith Matt Taylor has shown in him. This young man will have a bright future no doubt.

11.Dan Happe

Club: Leyton Orient

Age: 20

Position: Centre-back

There is a reason Tottenham Hotspur have shown an interest in Dan Happe. The Orient youngster, who has won 100 challenges already this season, looks like he can be a dominant defender in League Two. He is strong in the air and has a no-nonsense feel to his game which is, in some ways, a lost art. He is only 20 but is already attracting the attention of some big fish – he may not play at this level for long.

10.Leon Davies

Club: Cambridge United

Age: 19

Position: Right-back

Davies was thrust into action after Kyle Knoyle picked up an injury and he took his chance superbly. The right-back has won 32 challenges and put in 20 crosses for Colin Calderwood’s side. He will have to compete for a place in the first-team this season but has done very well when called upon so far – long may it continue.

9.Danny McNamara

Club: Newport County (on loan from Millwall)

Age: 20

Position: Right-back

No one should be surprised that Danny McNamara is on this list – the bloke is machine down the right for Newport. He has put in 22 crosses and won, get this, 62 challenges! The Millwall loanee has had some spells in non-league but has taken a massive leap forward under Mike Flynn at Rodney Parade. He will be a key player for the Exiles this season and Millwall will be keen to see him break into their first-team – the way he is going that is not unlikely.

8.Cameron John

Club: Doncaster Rovers (on loan from Wolves)

Age: 20

Position: Centre-back

Cameron John is another impressive player out on loan from Wolves. He has taken to League One football exceptionally well and even though he is not the tallest he makes up for it with great awareness and pace. Doncaster have needed a strong centre-back this season and he has stepped up to the mark – we will be monitoring his progress closely.

7.Aaron Morely

Club: Rochdale

Age: 19

Position: Defensive midfield

Home grown from the Dale academy, Morely has been excellent this season for Brian Barry-Murphy’s side. They play an expansive style of football which Morely has slotted into, making 5 key passes and scoring three goals from midfield. He is still just 19 and playing regularly in League One will be so beneficial for the versatile midfielder who has made a bright start thus far.

6.Jack Roles

Club: Cambridge United (on loan from Spurs)

Age: 20

Position: Midfield

The Tottenham loanee has looked pretty impressive so far, helping them win on his debut against Scunthorpe and scoring in the 4-0 hammering of Mansfield. He is also an international, having played for Cyprus. Very comfortable on the ball and with an eye for a pass he could be an exciting player for the U’s

5.Sam Nombe

Club: MK Dons

Age: 20

Position: Striker

Sam Nombe is quick, powerful and very skilfull. The goal he scored against AFC Wimbledon really highlights his talents and he will also create a lot of chances just by being a handful for defenders. Another academy product to come off the production line at the Buckinghamshire – Nombe will go far.

4.Ben Wiles

Club: Rotherham United

Age: 20

Position: Midfielder

Rotherham’s Ben Wiles is a local born lad come good and his performances this season suggest that he is going to keep on improving. His goal against Bolton was superb and his energy and poise make him a very bright prospect for the Millers. The fact the club had to sell some key players this summer will mean he gets more minutes and this will only aid his development.

3.Harry Souttar

Club: Fleetwood Town (on loan from Stoke)

Age: 20

Position: Centre-back

Dominant, towering and a real threat from set-pieces, Harry Souttar is really all you could want in a centre-back and is still only 20. Stoke would do well to get him back in their first team sharpish (sorry Fleetwood fans). The defender has won 85 challenges this season, bag a goal and an assist and is going to be a wonderful talent.

2.Flynn Downes

Club: Ipwich Town

Age: 20

Position: Midfield

Downes has looked every bit the player so far this season. The tall midfielder has wonderful ability on the ball and glides past oponents with ease. His awareness is also impressive and Ipswich have really benefitted from the energy and flair he brings to their midfield. His contribution to the Tractor Boys’ good start shouldn’t be understated with 20 successful take-ons and 72 challenges won, he appears to already be the complete midfielder.

1.Rhys Norrington-Davies

Club: Rochdale (on loan from Sheffield United)

Age: 20

Position: Left-back

Norrington-Davies is a full-back on loan at Rochdale from Sheffield United. He has made an excellent start at Spotland using his trickery and pace to dominate the left flank. He is two-footed, quick and has a good understanding of the game. So far he has put in 24 crosses, completed 12 take-ons and created three chances. He has also bagged himself a goal and a couple of assists – certainly a player to watch.

words James Richards, D3D4 Football