As the EFL 2025/26 season unfolds, a new wave of young talents is making a name for themselves across the league. From commanding defenders to dynamic forwards, these players are proving their worth with standout performances and impressive data-driven contributions. Using advanced performance metrics, we break down their impact, strengths, and potential, giving a data-driven perspective on why these rising stars are ones to watch. Let’s dive into the numbers and uncover what makes them stand out in EFL.
Powered by CompaGPT, the next-generation AI solution from Comparisonator, this analysis simplifies complex football data into clear, actionable insights. With its cutting-edge features, CompaGPT revolutionizes squad analysis, delivering an instant, in-depth assessment of team performance. In just seconds, it pinpoints standout players, uncovers rising young talents, and identifies key areas for enhancement.
Beyond traditional analysis, CompaGPT offers strategic intelligence to refine transfer strategies. By detecting high-potential signings, it empowers clubs to strengthen key positions and scout future stars with accuracy. With CompaGPT, raw data transforms into valuable, data-driven insights, providing teams with a decisive advantage in the transfer market.
4 Young EFL Players 2025/26 Season So Far
Bobby Faulkner (‘04) (CB) – Harrogate Town
Bobby Faulkner‘s CompaGPT Parameters League Duels report:
Bobby Faulkner ranks first in duels average per match with 21.25, outperforming Sam Gale, who averages 20.75. This indicates Faulkner’s high involvement in challenges and his aggressive approach to winning possession. His ability to engage in duels frequently is tactically significant for disrupting opposition play and maintaining defensive pressure, especially in scenarios where his team needs to neutralize threats early. Faulkner also leads the category with 14.25 duels won, compared to K. Mieczyslaw Łopata’s 13.75. This demonstrates his effectiveness in duels, showing a strong capability to emerge victorious in challenges. For tactical usage, Faulkner can be relied upon in critical defensive matchups, where winning individual battles is crucial for preventing goal-scoring opportunities. Leading in defensive air duels won with 3.63 per match, Faulkner outshines Łopata, who averages 3.25. This signifies his aerial prowess in defensive situations, a key asset for a center back. Faulkner’s ability to win air duels can be tactically utilized to dominate in set-piece defense and to clear threats from crosses, ensuring the team maintains control in aerial battles.
Bobby Faulkner’s most notable strengths lie in his ability to consistently engage in and win duels, both aerially and on the ground, particularly in defensive situations. His top rankings in duels average, duels won, and defensive air duels won highlight his significant contributions to Harrogate Town’s defensive capabilities. While his performance in offensive air duels and ground duels presents areas for potential development, his current strengths provide a solid foundation for his role as a central figure in defensive matchups and possession recovery.
Bobby Faulkner (‘04) (CB) – Harrogate Town
Thierry Small (‘04) (LB) – Preston North End
Thierry Small‘s CompaGPT Parameters League Offensive report:
Thierry Small ranks first among his peers with an average of 0.22 goals and 0.11 assists per match, outperforming Zak Sturge (0.2 goals) and Esquerdinha (0 assists). This indicates Thierry’s ability to contribute directly to the team’s scoring opportunities, making him a valuable asset in offensive plays. His goal-scoring and assisting prowess can be strategically utilized in high-pressure situations where a defensive player’s offensive contribution can turn the tide of a match.
Small excels in dribbling, achieving 6.44 dribbles per match, with 3.22 being successful. He leads in dribbling in the final third, with averages of 5.44 attempts and 2.78 successes, surpassing Harry Amass’s figures. Additionally, his 38.56 offensive actions and 21.44 successful offensive actions per match demonstrate his aggressive playing style and ability to disrupt defenses. These strengths suggest he might be highly effective in transition plays and breaking through defensive lines, providing tactical options for quick, counter-attacking strategies. Small shows excellence in moving the ball forward with 3.56 progressive runs and 1.33 ball carrying actions per match, leading his peers in these metrics. This ability to advance play quickly is vital for maintaining offensive pressure and can be tactically leveraged to maintain possession and create scoring opportunities.
Thierry Small stands out for his offensive contributions, particularly in goals, assists, and dribbling, where he ranks first among players under 21 in his position. His ability to generate offensive actions, progress the ball, and create shots is remarkable. However, refining his expected goals, shot conversion rate, and successful dribble percentage could further elevate his effectiveness. Overall, Thierry Small’s performance indicates a promising offensive defender with potential for tactical deployment in advanced roles, enhancing team dynamics through his multi-faceted playing style.
Thierry Small (‘04) (LB) – Preston North End
Jamie McDonnell (‘04) (DMF) – Mansfield Town
Jamie McDonnell‘s CompaGPT Parameters League Defensive report:
Jamie McDonnell excels in ball recoveries, achieving 12.8 recoveries on average per match, ranking 1st out of 16 players in his position. Compared to Daniel Gore, who ranks 2nd with 9.1 recoveries, McDonnell’s ability to regain possession is outstanding. This indicates a high level of awareness and positioning, making him pivotal in breaking up opposition play and initiating counter-attacks. With 4.5 interceptions per match, McDonnell ranks 1st among his peers, outperforming Brandon Khela (3.6 interceptions). His anticipation and ability to read the game are evident, allowing him to disrupt passing lanes effectively and contribute to defensive stability. McDonnell makes 7.9 counterpressing recoveries on average, again leading his position group. This reflects his proactive approach to regaining possession immediately after losing it, which is essential for maintaining pressure on the opposition and supporting high-intensity tactical setups.
Jamie McDonnell’s standout parameters are his ball recoveries, interceptions, counterpressing recoveries, and successful defensive actions, all of which position him as a top performer in defensive roles. However, his ball retention, especially in his own half, requires attention to minimize potential risks and enhance overall team possession dynamics.
Jamie McDonnell (‘04) (DMF) – Mansfield Town
Amario Cozier-Duberry (‘05) (RW) – Bolton Wanderers
Amario Cozier-Duberry‘s CompaGPT Parameters League Offensive report:
Amario Cozier-Duberry ranks first among his peers with an average of 0.22 xG and 0.77 playing in scoring attacks per match. His ability to generate scoring opportunities is notable and suggests that he may be a key player in offensive maneuvers, potentially benefiting from tactics that position him centrally during attacking phases. Amario excels with 8 dribbles and 4.85 successful dribbles per match, alongside 4.62 progressive runs. These metrics highlight his ability to advance the ball effectively and beat defenders, suggesting tactical setups that allow him to exploit spaces and drive forward, particularly in counter-attacking scenarios.
Amario Cozier-Duberry’s most impressive parameters are his expected goals, assists, shot assists, dribbling, and progressive runs. These aspects of his play showcase his offensive prowess, particularly in creating and facilitating scoring opportunities. However, his goal-scoring and ball carrying abilities are areas where further development may enhance his overall impact on the field. Tactical usage should emphasize his strengths in playmaking and ball progression while addressing his finishing and retention skills for a more well-rounded contribution.
Amario Cozier-Duberry (‘05) (RW) – Bolton Wanderers
