The players who can light up the EFL in 2022/23
The new season is here and the battle for success is underway. So who are the players likely to shine bright in the EFL? Our resident expert Chris Dunlavy takes his pick…
ALEX SCOTT -BRISTOL CITY
If there were any Premier League sides left who weren't watching Scott, his performances in this summer's European Under-19 Championship ensured they certainly are now.
The 19-year-old – alongterm target for Tottenham – came off the bench in England's opening game and produced a dazzling display of ball-carrying midfield dynamism.
He didn't miss another minute as the Three Lions lifted the trophy, capping a fine tournament with a semi-final winner.
Often compared to Jack Grealish, Scott is a rather more versatile and rounded midfielder than the Man City maestro, and spent much of last season at wing-back for Nigel Pearson's side.
This time, he should spend a lot more time in central areas, where his maturity, drive and technical quality are a natural fit.
If, that is, Spurs don't pile in with an offer the Robins can't refuse.
OZAN TUFAN -HULL CITY
Tufan is a proper player, with 65 caps for Turkey, a cult following at Fener-erbahce and appear-arances in all three major European competitions.
Dubbed the ‘Turkish Pogba' by journalists in hishomelandfor his propensity to score long-range strikes, the 27-year-old is probably more comparable to Coventry City's midfield lynchpin Gus Hamer; a disciplined defensive ratter whose technical ability and passing range can create chances from deep-lying areas.
Tufan's arrival for a fee of £4m is a statement of Hull's ambition, and has the potential to be a masterstroke. But it is also a risk.
During a loan spell at Watford last season, coaches at Vicarage Road were unconvinced by Tufan's attitude and his ability to cope with the physicality of Premier League football.
Tufan was also ostracised at Fenerbahce – along with Mesut Ozil – after an argument with coaching staff. Whatever happens, it won't be dull.
DARYL DIKE -WEST BROMWICH ALBION
Dike's loan move to Barnsley in January 2021 was arguably the signing of the season, with nine goals in 11 games propelling the unfancied Tykes into the play-offs.
Sadly for West Brom, the big American made no such impact following a £7m transfer from Orlando City last term.
Unfit as a result of arriving during the MLS close season, Dike was prematurely rushed back to action and suffered a season-ending injury on his first start.
How well he has recovered is unclear, but Dike's qual- ityis beyond doubt. In his shortcareer so far, the 22-year-oldhas spectacuhis xG statisticsand registered a goals-to-shotsratio equal to Polishgreat Robert Lewandowskilarly outperformed If Dike can handle the pressure of leading West Brom's line, and if Steve Bruce can crafta supply line to his mainman, BIG numbers are possible.
ELLIOT ANDERSON -TBA
Joey Barton compared him to Maradona.Graham Carr, Newcastle'schief scout, saidAnder- son remindedhim of Paul Gascoigne,with the nimbleagilityof prime PeterBeardsley.
At 19,with just 22 pro games under his belt, such praise may seem excessive. But the buzz around Newcastle United's attacking midfielder is very real, with last season's 21-game loan spell at Barton's Bristol Rovers yielding seven goals, six assists, and an acknowledgement from all concerned that Anderson was playing a mile below his level.
Magpies boss Eddie Howe is giving serious consideration to including Anderson in his Premier League squad but is likely to conclude that the youngster's dancing feet – he was nicknamed ‘Billy' at the Mem after Billy Elliot – would be put to better use in the EFL. Sheffield Wednesday have pursued Anderson, left, all summer but will face competition from several Championship sides, including Wes Brom and Millwall.
ROSS STEWART -SUNDERLAND
Stewart is the classic slow burner, a player whose five un distinguished seasons in Sco tish football offered no hin of the 26-goal extravaganz that fired Sunderland into th Championship last season.
Was it a flash in the pan Rangers don't think so; th Europa League finalists hav made the 26-year-old Scot thei top target this summer.
Nor does Black Cats bos Alex Neil, who has slappe a £5m price tag on a playe dubbed ‘The Loch Ness Drog ba' by supporters for his muscular, mobile forward play.
Privately, Neil is convinced that Stewart is capable of scoring 15-plus at Championship level and will set up a team that plays to the forward's strengths – if, that is, he remains on Wearside.
DAPO AFOLAYAN -BOLTON WANDERERS
Exactly where Afolayan will play remains a mystery; he has operated out wide, played most of last term as a No.10, and spent chunks of the current pre-season up front with Dion Charles.
Trotters boss Ian Evatt said recently that the 24-year-old could “cause carnage” as a striker, so that's where the smart money is right now.
Whatever the case, Afolayan will be dynamite.
Schooled in Non-League and polishedin West Ham's Under-23s before joining Bolton lastsummer followinglowing aloan spell,he is pacy, aggressive andunpredictable.
Last season'ss tallyof16 goalscontributionstions (12goals,four assists) illustrated a steep progression in Afolayan's development and the only surprise is that tentative interest from several Championship clubs did not firm into a concrete offer.
KANE WILSON -BRISTOLCITY
Handed hisWest Brom debut inthe same week hereceived his GCSE results,it has taken Wilson,left – now 22 -several years to reachhispotential.
Make no mistake though; the wingback is a Premier League player in waiting.Wilson's cavalier displays down the right have already wowed City fans during pre-season, with his pinpoint crossing reminiscent of Huddersfield's Sorba Thomas.
Wilson's table-topping spree of 13 assists last term was instrumental in Forest Green's promotion to League One and if City's forwards get on his wavelength, double figures are not out of the question.
Whether he will be exposed defensively by the two-division leap remains to be seen but, going forwards, Wilson is a class act.
AYOUB ASSAL -AFC WIMBLEDON
A small, quick and deceptively strong forward who can wreak havoc in pretty much any attacking position, Assal is being monitored by a host of Premier League and Championship sides. Fulham and Brentford are both in the hunt. The 20-year-old has scored 12 goals in 56 games since his debut in March 2021 and, with the departure of Jack Rudoni to Huddersfield Town, has now become the creative fulcrum of Johnnie Jackson's side.
Top flight suitors will be keen to see how Assal copes with that added pressure, especially if – as mooted – he is asked to play as an out-and-out striker in League Two.
