The standard of football in League One is ever increasing as talented players get to strut their stuff in the third tier.

As new, young talent emerges, fans and clubs benefit from having a group of skilful ballers who are more than likely to go onto play at a higher level, often at a profit for those sides that gave them their break.

D3D4 Football Podcast Ep73 – I Wouldn’t Mind A Blip Like That

With this in mind D3D4 has taken a look at which players, 21-years-old or younger, are currently ripping up the division based on the data provided by InStat Football.

We have looked specifically at the number of chances these players have created and ranked them from 10 to one.

So here they are, the most talented U-21, chance creating machines in Division Three.

Read on to find out more:

10.Elliott List

Club: Gillingham

Age: 21

Chances created: 13

The Gillingham counter-attack king, Elliott List has pace to burn and he’s not afraid to use it. At only 21-years-old you feel there is still plenty of time for the winger/striker to develop his game but the goal he scored away at Burton gives a glimpse of what he is already capable of.

His driving runs cause mayhem as was seen against Portsmouth at the Priestfield where he bagged an assist and won a penalty to condemn the league leaders to their first defeat on the road.

Key stat: Only Tom Eaves (29) has had more shots on target in League One for Gillingham than Elliott List (12) this season.

9.Herbie Kane

Club: Doncaster Rovers

Age: 20

Chances created: 14

The Liverpool loanee has lit up the Keepmoat with some scintillating displays this campaign. He has bagged himself four assists and three goals in the league while learning from Doncaster’s master creator, James Coppinger who leads League One with 11 assists.

Kane has created an impressive 14 chances this season, most coming from his ability to run with the ball at pace and his vision to pick out a quick pass. Certainly has a future at a higher level but Donny fans will enjoy seeing him in the red and white hoops for as long as they can.

Key stat: No player in the Doncaster squad has a better pass accuracy ratio (84%) in League One than Herbie Kane this season.

8.Offrande Zanzala

Club: Accrington Stanley

Age: 21

Chances created: 17

Zanzala started the season in impressive fashion and hit four goals in seven games during the month of October. The former Derby man has created 17 chances for his team-mates so far this season and his inclusion on this list may be a surprise to some.

His languid style often commits defenders to the challenge allowing Zanzala to skip past and either take on the chance himself or lay it off to a team-mate. Accrington could certainly use a few more goals from this fella in the second half of the campaign.

Key stat: Only Billy Kee (8) and Sean McConville (7) have scored more goals than Offrande Zanzala (4) in League One this season.

7.Conor Chaplin

Club: Coventry City

Age: 21

Chances created: 17

Why Portsmouth ever allowed Conor Chaplin to leave I will never know. Coventry have reaped the benefits and look like they will continue to do so if Chaplin’s performance to date are anything to go by.

The only frustrating thing for the tricky striker is that he doesn’t get the goals his performances deserve, under performing his expected goals ratio by over four but I would expect that to change, as is often the case.

The 17 chances he has created have led to the Sky Blues having one of the highest xG ratings in the division (fourth best), now they just need to fulfil that potential.

Key stat: Conor Chaplin has had more shots on target (29) in League One than any other Coventry player this season.

6.Tom Bayliss

Club: Coventry City

Age: 19

Chances created:

Yet another Coventry player to appear on this list just highlighting the quality young players they have in their side.

Tom Bayliss is arguably one of the best midfield players in League One let alone for his age group so it should come as no surprise to see him on this list.

His ability to retain possession when under pressure and thread a ball through the eye of a needle makes him unplayable at times. If Coventry had a prolific striker to feed off this kind of service then the Sky Blues would certainly be a few points better of this season.

Key stat: Since the start of last season no Coventry player has completed more successful dribbles than Tom Bayliss (225).

5.George Dobson

Club: Walsall

Age: 21

Chances created: 21

George Dobson looks like he can be a class above anyone in the Saddlers squad this season. Still only 21-years-old, the midfielder has shown energy and poise that belies his lack of years.

Recent performances haven’t quite matched his early season form but with 21 chances created he is the key playmaker in this Walsall side.

Learning from a manger like Dean Keates will only help Dobson to continue his improvement and it is more than likely that this young midfielder’s career will continue in an upward trajectory over the coming years.

Key stat: Only Luke Leahy (1206) has completed more accurate passes than George Dobson (830) for the Saddlers in League One this season.

4.Mallik Wilks

Club: Doncaster Rovers

Age: 20

Chances created: 25

What a player Mallik Wilks has turned out to be. He showed glimpses in his spell at Accrington last season and then picked up an injury that ended his time at Grimsby before it even got started.

Under the fluid tactics of Grant McCann and playing with one of the best strikers in League One in John Marquis, Mallik Wilks has hit another level.

The Leeds loanee has created 25 chances while finding the net seven times and assisting five others.

His ability to take players on and natural flair makes him very hard for defenders to deal with making him the perfect outlet on the right flank for Doncaster.

Key stat: Mallik Wilks has completed more successful dribbles (74) than any other Donny player this season.

3.Marcus Browne

Club: Oxford United

Age: 21

Chances created: 25

On loan from West Ham until the end of the season, Marcus Browne has been a revelation since arriving in Oxfordshire.

His ability to carry the ball has been the highlight in a pretty disappointing season for the Oxford faithful but with a bit more support Browne could well improve further.

Often playing through an injury the midfielder has created 25 chances and scored four times in League One this season. He also has three assists making defenders panic with his direct running.

He has completed the second most take-ons in the Oxford squad (57) behind only Gavin Whyte (94) and will play a big part in the U’s battle against relegation over the coming weeks.

Key stat: Only James Henry (63) has taken more shots in League One for Oxford than Marcus Browne (46).

9.Karlan Grant

Club: Charlton Athletic

Age: 21

Chances created: 29

There is absolutely no one surprised that Karlan Grant is attracting attention from clubs in the Premier League and whether Charlton can keep hold of their young hot shot remains to be seen.

The fact that he is better known for his goal scoring than his playmaking is a credit to the versatility of the man.

He has created the joint most chances for any player in the U-21 age range this season in League One while also netting 14 and assisting a further four.

His partnership up front with Lyle Taylor is the most prolific in the division and if the Addicks can keep hold of the 21-year-old then they have an excellent chance at promotion.

Key stat: Karlan Grant has scored more goals (14) in League One than any other Charlton player this season.

1.Luke Thomas

Club: Coventry City

Age: 19

Chances created: 29

Luke Thomas is the stand out star in this category in League One…he is still only 19!

Great vision, pace and an ability to take people on has seen the Derby loanee lead the Sky Blues in successful dribbles (88), accurate key pass (32) and chances created.

He is an all-round baller with so much potential you would have to bet he will play most of his career in the top level. For now Coventry are lucky to have him and like was mentioned above, a prolific goal scorer in this team would have a field day.

Key stat: Only Harvey Barnes & Joao Carvalho have created more chances than Coventry’s Luke Thomas (29) of those players 21-years-old or younger in the top four tiers of English football this season.

words James Richards, D3D4 Football