Jay Stansfield is a player who’s had real pressure on his shoulders from a young age and learned quickly how to deal with it. Growing up around senior football through his father, the late Adam Stansfield, meant he was exposed to the realities of the game early, not just the academy...
Will Lankshear (born 2005) is an English striker who has made a name for himself with a sharp eye for goal, clever movement, and a mentality that thrives on taking chances when they come. Currently on loan at Oxford United from Tottenham Hotspur, Lankshear is the kind of forward who...
Anis Mehmeti (born 2001) is an attacking midfielder whose rise through English football has been shaped by resilience, sharp technical quality, and a mentality that refuses to settle. Now a key figure at Bristol City and a full Albania international, he represents the modern creative midfielder who thrives through intelligence,...
Haji Wright is the type of attacker who forces teams to rethink how a wide striker can reshape a game. His career looks like a long journey on paper. Starting in LA Galaxy's academy in the USA, Wright made his way to Schalke before journeying around Europe, landing at Coventry...
Tatsuhiro Sakamoto (born 1996) is a Japanese winger whose dynamism, intelligence, and relentless work rate have defined his rise from university football to becoming one of the most captivating and intriguing wide players in the EFL Championship. A product of Toyo University and a late bloomer by modern standards, Sakamoto’s...
Million Manhoef (2002) is a Dutch winger whose blend of pace, tactical intelligence, and directness has made him one of the most promising attacking talents to emerge from the Netherlands in recent years. The Dutch U21 international progressed through VPV Purmersteijn, AVV Zeeburgia, and Amsterdamsche FC before joining Vitesse at 15. He...
Koki Saito’s rise has been sharp. It has been built on his own route, far from the traditional path most Japanese players take. Born in Tokyo on 10 August 2001, he started at Inuzura SC before moving through Yokohama FC’s academy, where his technical ability and football intelligence quickly set...
Milan van Ewijk’s path has been anything but straightforward. Born in Amsterdam on the eighth of September, 2000, and of Surinamese descent, he didn’t come through one of the big Eredivisie academies. After spending time in Feyenoord’s youth setup, he had to start over at Excelsior Maassluis, playing senior football...
At one point, Jaden Philogene was considered one of England’s most promising young talents. Unlike many of his peers who came through established elite academies, a young Jaden Philogene developed his skills at London’s Pro: Direct Academy. This non-traditional route helped shape his resilience and distinctive playing style. His performances there...
Birmingham City is a club that's been through a lot in recent years. While the club played in the Premier League for most of the 2000s, 2011 proved to be a turning point. Despite heavily investing in the squad and even winning the EFL Cup, beating Arsenal in the final,...
Kaine Kesler-Hayden is still only 22 years old and emerging as one of the EFL Championship’s most promising full-back and wing-back talents to watch this season. A product of the Aston Villa Academy, Kesler-Hayden captained their U18 side to FA Youth Cup success in 2021 and has represented England at...
In English football, the academy pathway has long been seen as the most reliable conveyor belt to the professional game. From as young as five, players are placed into highly structured environments. They are drilled in technical repetition and prepared for the demands of the senior game. However, some of...
Watford have completed the signing of 19-year-old Australian winger Nestory Irankunda from German giants Bayern Munich. The move was concluded for a final fee of €3m, with a buy-back clause and a 50% sell-on fee. The initial figure from Watford and the buy-back clause from FC Bayern signal how highly the...
Manchester City are reported to be closing in on the signing of English goalkeeper James Trafford. Trafford would arrive from Premier League newcomers Burnley, who signed the goalkeeper themselves from Manchester City in 2023. This move further signals the start of a new era for Pep Guardiola, who, along with...
Birmingham City have completed the signing of Japan international Kyōgo Furuhashi from Stade Rennais for an undisclosed fee. The 30-year-old joined Rennes in January and leaves having made just six goalless appearances in his short stint at the club. Before this, Kyōgo spent four seasons in Scotland, playing for Celtic, the reigning...
The signing of Kwame Poku by Queens Park Rangers (QPR) stands out as a sensible move. Poku arrives at Loftus Road as a high-ceiling individual, as well as a tactical maverick with rare adaptability. New QPR manager, Julien Stéphan, hijacked a near-complete move of Poku to Rangers, which speaks to...
Norwich City’s 2024/2025 campaign was a disappointment, finishing 13th in the EFL Championship. The Canaries struggled for consistency, and their performances reflected a lack of direction. This led to the sacking of Johannes Throup, who managed the team for just over a year and ended his tenure with a win...
The 2024/2025 EFL Championship season was a disappointing one for both Rob Edwards and Middlesbrough. Edwards began the season managing Luton Town, off the back of Premier League relegation in 2023/2024. His side entered the year as top-six favourites, but by January, he had been sacked with his team firmly...
After eight years away—four of which were spent in England’s third tier, EFL League One—Sunderland will return to the Premier League in 2025/2026. Régis Le Bris’ side defeated Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United 2-1 in the EFL Championship Play-Off Final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday to secure their return to England’s top flight....
On Saturday, 24th May, two of northern England’s most storied football clubs, Sheffield United vs Sunderland, meet in what is called the most expensive game in football: the EFL Championship Play-Off Final. Promotion to the Premier League is at stake, along with a financial windfall that can reshape a club’s...
