The 15 most exciting wonderkids in the EFL Championship and League One (Ranked) | OneFootball

FLW ranks the 15 most exciting wonderkids across League One and the Championship.

The 2024-25 season for the Championship and League One is approaching its climax, with plenty of twists and turns still to come in the final weeks of the campaign.

This season, we have been treated to a thrilling promotion battle at the top of the Championship, with Sheffield United, Leeds United, and Burnley all vying for a return to the Premier League. Just below them, the play-off race has perfectly encapsulated why we love the EFL, with a host of clubs battling to keep their promotion dreams alive.

Meanwhile, in League One, Birmingham City's financial muscle has propelled them towards the Championship, with the Blues seemingly cruising to promotion. At the other end of the table, struggling sides such as Shrewsbury Town and Cambridge United appear destined for relegation, as those above them continue to pick up crucial points, making survival an increasingly difficult task.

Making this season a joy to watch has been the players and we have seen plenty of emerging talents breaking onto the scene in both leagues.

With this in mind, Football League World has highlighted 15 of the most exciting young talents across the EFL Championship and League One.

15 Max Cleworth

Kicking off the list is Max Cleworth of Wrexham AFC. The 22-year-old has been with the club since 2014, and Phil Parkinson has carefully integrated him into the first team following his debut in 2021.

This season, he has been a key figure in one of League One’s strongest defences, with the Red Dragons conceding just 30 goals in 38 league matches. If Wrexham secure promotion, Cleworth could celebrate a remarkable third successive rise through the divisions.

On a personal level, he has been a standout performer at both ends of the pitch, with an impressive seven goals in 34 appearances. However, it’s his primary role where he truly excels - his composure on the ball and defensive intelligence make him a deserving inclusion in the top 15.

14 Djeidi Gassama

Djeidi Gassama has lit up Hillsborough this season, and while six goals in 35 games may not be prolific, his impact has been instrumental in Danny Röhl's side’s success.

Signed from Paris Saint Germain last season, it took a year for the 21-year-old to integrate himself into English football, but since the turn of the 2024-25 campaign, he has been brilliant.

A natural dribbler, his ability to drive Sheffield Wednesday forward has been invaluable, averaging 2.20 successful dribbles per game while also drawing 3.25 fouls per 90 minutes, according to FotMob.

A continuation of this will only see him rise up the tiers of football, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see this former PSG winger thriving in a top-flight somewhere across Europe.

13 Dennis Cirkin

Dennis Cirkin has featured so many times for Sunderland it feels difficult to call him a wonderkid, but aged 22 he still falls into that bracket.

After missing most of last season through injury - a significant setback to his development - he has returned to his best this year.

Featuring at left-back, he is among one of the best one-on-one defenders in the division and this is shown through high figures in tackles won, interceptions and duels won. He has also increased his productivity going forward this season and has found the back of the net three times while also providing two assists.

This hasn't gone unnoticed either and according to TBR Football, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, West Ham United and Leeds United are just a smattering of the clubs interested in securing his services this summer.

12 Tom Fellows

Next on the list we have West Bromwich Albion star, Tom Fellows. The 21-year-old has had a real breakthrough season in the Championship this term and is leading the assist chart with 11 contributions this term.

A technically gifted right-winger, his chance creation suggests he is on the cusp of deserving a move to the tier above and the Baggies will hope that is with them if they can get promoted via the play-offs.

Also an England under-21 international, it’s hard to see how he won’t continue his rapid progression, and it may not be long before we’re talking about him lighting up the Premier League.

11 Louie Barry

Unfortunately, for Louie Barry, his loan move to Hull City hasn't worked out with an injury in mid-February ruling him out until April at the very least. However, prior to that, the Aston Villa youngster lit up League One with his performances at Stockport County.

Across his 24 games this season for the Hatters, the 21-year-old provided 16 goals and two assists, showing an ability to create chances for himself and score from anywhere around the box.

This prompted the Tigers to take him on loan, and had he stayed fit, it’s hard to see how he wouldn’t have continued his rich vein of goalscoring form. Hopefully, his return from injury will allow him to rediscover that form and live up to the potential that has got everyone at Villa Park so excited.

10 Richard Kone

Benji Walker (@benjiwalkerphoto)

Another player who has been scoring goals for fun in the third tier is Richard Kone. The Ivorian striker was signed by Wycombe Wanderers from Athletic Newham in January 2024 and he has been a revelation at Adams Park.

Across 63 games, he has netted 25 goals and this term his record stands at 18 in 33 league fixtures. The 21-year-old is a firm reason behind the Chairboys' hopes of promotion and Luton Town were desperate to sign him in the previous window, submitting failed bids worth up to £7 million.

His future is one to watch, and if he continues on his current trajectory, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him plying his trade in the top tiers of English football.

9 Jay Stansfield

Jay Stansfield was subject to one of the most amazing transfers ever when he was signed by League One Birmingham City in the summer for around £15 million.

Price tag aside, he has certainly rewarded the Bluenoses, scoring 20 goals in 33 appearances across all competitions this season.

His potential is clearly enormous, and his trajectory could mirror that of the club he’s currently at, with nothing but upward momentum. With promotion to the Championship looking likely, he will be eager to prove his worth in the tier above and continue justifying the hefty fee that brought him to St. Andrews.

8 Ben Doak

Ben Doak's season may have been hampered by an injury he sustained in January, but it is fair to say that he impressed Middlesbrough supporters up until then.

Signed on loan from Liverpool in the summer, the 19-year-old's dribbling ability has been magical to watch and he has even shown some end product with seven assists and three goals in 24 games.

Albeit he is clearly far from the finished article, he looks like a player destined for a future at the top of the game and AFC Bournemouth have recently been linked with his signature.

Doak is certainly a player to watch in the future and fully deserving of eighth place on this list.

7 Tyler Bindon

The final League One player on this list, but soon to be in the Premier League, is Reading's Tyler Bindon, now with Nottingham Forest. The 20-year-old has been exceptional for the Royals over the past 18 months, which earned him a move to the City Ground in January, with a loan back to Reading as part of the deal.

A gifted and composed defender, he has continued to take his game to new levels in 2024-25 and has arguably been the Royals' player of the season as they chase a spot in the play-offs.

His trajectory will be interesting to watch at Forest, but based on his performances in Berkshire, it wouldn't be surprising to see him become a Premier League regular.

6 Chris Rigg

Next up we have the youngest player on this list, Sunderland's Chris Rigg. The 17-year-old has had a breakthrough campaign at the Stadium of Light and Regis Le Bris has entrusted his young star to start up to 29 matches in the league.

In total, he has scored four goals in the league, including October's Goal of the Month (see below), and has also showcased his defensive awareness. with his recoveries, duels won, and aerial duels won all ranking highly among other attacking midfielders.

Many would argue that he should be higher on this list based on his potential. However, the end product is still an area he needs to refine, and with more time at the Stadium of Light, it will undoubtedly come for a player who was only born in 2007.

5 Ollie Arblaster

Unfortunately, Arblaster's season was cut short in November after sustaining a ruptured ACL (anterior cruciate ligament). However, prior to that, he was superb for Sheffield United and his performances in the Premier League last term were a shining light in a woeful season.

In the opening 12 games of this campaign, he was providing at will, with the midfielder averaging 2.03 chances created per 90 minutes. He also took the game to the opposition, completing 1.20 successful dribbles and averaging 68.7 touches per match, according to FotMob.

Having already demonstrated his ability in the Premier League, he looks set for a bright future, and at just 20 years old, the possibilities are endless. A versatile player, Arblaster is certainly one to watch, and had he not been sidelined by injury, he could well have been higher on this list.

Wiflried Gnonto may not have enjoyed the season he was hoping for, but it is difficult to argue with his inclusion on this list with the 21-year-old arguably the most decorated player on this list.

A fully-fledged Italian international, the Leeds United man already has over 180 career appearances to his name and has provided over 50 goal contributions during his time with FC Zurich and the Whites.

Although Farke hasn't opted to use him all that often this season, it’s hard to deny that he is an extraordinary talent, and it wouldn't be surprising to see him become a key figure in the final weeks of the campaign.

We all recognise his ability; it's just a matter of Gnonto finding that form consistently.

James Trafford has had a season to remember at Burnley and has put away the haunting memories of 2023-24.

Signed by the Clarets for an initial £15 million, the pressure of the top flight appeared to weigh on Trafford last season. However, a drop in level to the Championship has seen him thrive, establishing himself as the division's best goalkeeper.

The goalkeeper has kept 26 clean sheets in 37 matches and prevented a league-high of 11.4 goals. He has also saved both penalties he faced (both coming in a single game against Sunderland) and went on a Championship-record period of 1,132 minutes without conceding between late December and March.

While he may not be an unknown talent, he is undoubtedly a brilliant player, and it’s hard to see how he doesn’t have a future at the top level, both internationally and at club level.

2 Maxime Esteve

Surpassing his Burnley counterpart by one place and coming in second place is Maxime Esteve. The Frenchman was signed by Burnley from Montpellier and has been a major part of the brick wall in front of Trafford.

A commanding and composed presence, his place in Scott Parker's side has been unquestionable, featuring in almost every minute available. An archetypal modern-day centre-back, he not only brings defensive nous but also helps build from the back with his comfort on the ball.

Being left-footed, he provides the balance that modern managers value in their side and this has attracted interest from the likes of AC Milan and West Ham United.

His time in the EFL will surely come to an end at the conclusion of this campaign, regardless of which division Burnley find themselves in, but he isn't quite the standout wonderkid in the league.

Coming in a deserved first place is Sunderland's Jobe Bellingham. While some may argue he will be overshadowed by his brother, he is already one of the EFL's finest midfielders at just 19 years old.

Technically brilliant but also physically commanding, his partnership with Daniel Neil has been a joy to watch this campaign and the Black Cats will be hoping that Bellingham can get them promoted to the Premier League.

This season, he has scored four goals and provided three assists, but he is equally impressive defensively. With 208 duels won and 65 aerial duels won, he showcases his dominant presence, while his 43 chances created and 31 successful dribbles highlight his creative intelligence.

Manchester United and Chelsea have been linked to a move for his services and he is at the point where he deserves a move to the top flight.