Ten EFL stars that Premier League clubs should sign this summer: Brereton Diaz, Johnson, Willock...

Gabriel Sutton
5 April 2022

Planet Sport's EFL pundit Gab Sutton picks out 10 hot prospects that have done enough this season to draw the attention of Premier League clubs this summer.

While more and more money is being spent on huge transfers in the top flight, ever so often a star from the lower leagues can prove their worth.

Ivan Toney, Jamie Vardy and Andy Robertson are all stars who once plied their trade in the lower leagues of English football, but who could follow in their footsteps this summer?

Zac Williams

The left-sided, ball-playing defender is out of contract at Crewe this summer, so the option would be for any suitors to either pay the Cheshire club via a tribunal or deal on a one-to-one basis.

Either way, Williams is a prodigious talent who is incredibly assured playing out from the back, and would suit a possession-based side that operates with a three-man defence. With Brighton playing a back three and having recently lost Dan Burn, it wouldn't be a surprise to see the Seagulls interested in Williams come the summer.

The 17-year-old can turn an opponent under pressure and switch play with ease, with the potential to go to the very top, both with Wales and at club level.

Dan Neil

Neil might not have been expecting to play as big a part in Sunderland's season as he has, starting 31 league games.

The youngster initially got his break due to the dearth of natural options at left-back in pre-season, and acquitted himself so well that, even when Dennis Cirkin later came in to fill that role, Neil earnt himself opportunities in a more favourable midfield role.

The 20-year-old has the long-range passing ability to play as a number six, but the agility and quick feet to operate as a number eight shows his versatility and makes him an appealing proposition, especially for sides that encourage lots of rotations in midfield: Leeds are reportedly interested.

Isaiah Jones

One of the reasons Middlesbrough have not suffered on the field from their decision to loan local talent Djed Spence to Nottingham Forest is the form of Isaiah Jones.

The 22-year-old endured a challenging loan spell north of the border last season and, as such, was not expected to make such a striking impact on the first team in 2021/22.

Jones not only has searing pace, which makes him a huge threat over long distances, he is also very intelligent and knows when to slow the tempo and cut the ball back for a teammate.

If Antonio Conte wants somebody at Tottenham who can take on a similar role to the one Victor Moses played for his 2016-17 Chelsea side, Jones could be worth a look.

Brennan Johnson

Johnson has been one of the most exciting young talents in the Championship this season.

After a productive loan spell at Lincoln, the son of former Nottingham Forest striker David Johnson has taken the second-tier by storm with 13 goals and seven assists.

While the 20-year-old's pace makes him a useful counter-attacking outlet, it's his agility that sets him apart from the rest: he can change direction multiple times very quickly, which makes him able to escape challenges and bore down on goal.

Brentford are interested in Johnson and, given how well they have recruited since promotion, they must be on to something.

Josh Bowler

Bowler endured an uneventful loan stint at Hull in 2019/20, when it was clear to see that the winger was quick and skilful, but he had little else to his repertoire.

Since leaving Everton permanently, the former QPR youngster has acquired new dimensions to his game under the coaching of Neil Critchley at Blackpool.

Bowler is now capable of drifting into pockets of space between defence and midfield to slot a through ball for a striker, all while remaining the best ball-carrier in the Championship, averaging 2.6 dribbles per game.

Plus, Bowler can carry more of a goal threat, having found the net seven times for the Tangerines, so it is hardly surprising that Bournemouth are reportedly lining up a summer bid.

Scott Twine

Some would see it as a risk for a Premier League club to sign a League One player at 22, because that is the age where recruits would be asked to be part of the immediate first team squad as opposed to going into the development squad.

We have seen, however, Ivan Toney score 24 goals in 32 appearances at that level for Peterborough, then have an astonishing 2020/21 campaign in the Championship for Brentford and effectively become out of reach for most Premier League clubs: now, it's the likes of Arsenal who could be interested.

If not careful, Premier League clubs could also miss the boat on Twine, who has scored 15 goals and registered 11 assists in 39 league games for MK Dons, making him arguably the best player in the division.

Paddy Lane

This has been a hugely impressive break-out season for Lane, who has scored five goals and bagged eight assists in a struggling Fleetwood side.

Lane can be considered a 'Mezzala', a roaming attacking midfielder who likes to support play in the right channel, link up with the corresponding full-back and wide forward, then receive the ball in spaces around the box, where he can either loop a ball to the back-post or hit an effort from distance.

The 19-year-old has a huge future, both for Northern Ireland, who he has represented at various age groups up to Under-21s and in terms of his club career.

Although, any Premier League side that signs Lane should loan him out to a good League One team next season, with a view to him getting Championship football the following year and then some top flight action.

Chris Willock

QPR have flattered to deceive at times this season and, with the team in poor form, manager Mark Warburton is reportedly on the cusp of being sacked despite the progress that has been made since he first took charge.

What carried the Rs through much of the campaign, and made them at times firmly in the mix on paper, was moments of individual brilliance: some came from Ilias Chair, many from Chris Willock.

The attacking midfielder not only retains the ball high up, which enables the West Londoners to sustain attacks in the final third, but he is also the third-highest assister in the league, laying the ball off for teammates to score 11 times and averaging 2.2 dribbles per game.

Not only that, Willock is also capable of unleashing rockets from outside the box and has scored seven goals this term, three of which came from outside the area.

Ben Brereton Diaz

Blackburn opted to retain top goalscorer Brereton Diaz in January, believing the striker to be indispensable to their promotion bid.

They have since had some bad luck, with the Chile striker ruled out for two months through injury, although the 22-year-old managed 45 minutes in the 2-2 draw at Coventry and his return could make a huge difference for Rovers in their quest for a top six berth.

Brereton Diaz might struggle to play with his back to goal in the Premier League, but if deployed on the left of a front-three as an inside forward, he could run riot in a side like Southampton that favours high-pressing and quick transitions.

What's more, Brereton Diaz would be available to poach on a free, should he decline a new contract at Ewood Park.

Lewis O'Brien

It is no secret that former Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa was a huge admirer of Lewis O'Brien, and the energy, dynamism and tenacity he brings to the Huddersfield midfield.

If El Loco's successor Jesse March feels similarly, then the Whites may go in for the 23-year-old, giving them more depth in midfield after an injury-disrupted campaign.

O'Brien should not be considered a replacement for deep-lying Kalvin Phillips, but is closer stylistically to Mateusz Klich, who is now 31 and may need a long-term heir.