EFL pundit Gab Sutton discusses the top five hot prospects to watch in the League One this season, as he continues the build-up to his Season Preview in under a month…
While club football isn't at the forefront of everyone's minds as England gear up for a seismic World Cup semi-final contest against Argentina, the new League One campaign is close at hand and 24 teams will be out to achieve promotion to the Championship.
The standard of the third tier of English football is growing year-on-year, and our man Gab Sutton has picked out five hot prospects that he believes can impress in the forthcoming season.
Patrick Kelly
After signing from West Ham last summer, following an excellent League Two loan with Doncaster the year before, Patrick Kelly has proven a fantastic long-term investment for Barnsley.
The 21-year-old’s form at Oakwell has earned the Northern Irishman senior international recognition, featuring four times in front of the Green And White Army since the move, after featuring prominently for the Under-21s.
The dearth of big numbers for the attacking midfielder, who got a reasonable six assists last season but only scored twice, may see him miss the boat on a big move this year, and it could be that the vultures circle South Yorkshire in the next two windows if his progression continues at the same rate.
Not shy to a challenge, Kelly is a delightful passer of a ball, and he holds onto it ever so well in advanced areas.
Harry Gray
You don’t come through one of English football’s most prestigious academies at Thorp Arch, featured for Leeds at just 16, and then even make the bench for their Premier League campaign the following season, without being an astonishing talent.
Harry Gray is that, which is why he’s featured regularly for England at three age groups up to Under-17s and, now he is that age, he’s out to translate that elite youth reputation into his senior career.
Gray did that in brief flashes in a struggling Rotherham side, that probably weren’t brilliantly coached last season en route to relegation, but it’s given him a taster: and now he gets a main course at Sheffield Wednesday.
If he can handle the pressure of playing in front of 20K people at Hillsborough, and all the expectancy that comes with Wednesday being in League One, it should really open some doors for what’s possible for Gray in what has the potential to be a glittering career.
Offering boundless energy and a good turn of pace, but also a stylish touch and the ability to drop in and link play smoothly when required, Gray is a forward with a unique blend of qualities that will keep opponents guessing.
Jake Richards
Jake Richards has been sensible, since making his league debut for Exeter City at just 16 in 2023, and impressing for two seasons under Gary Caldwell.
Richards likely had interest from even bigger clubs than Luton, given the clamour for potential at the top of the game, but had he gone to a Premier League outfit, he may have been stockpiled and possibly lost momentum in his career.
Whereas, going to the Hatters, he was staying in the same league, and had a more realistic progression plan towards first team football, and that’s been the case at Kenilworth Road.
The versatile midfielder, though a central operator by trade, has thrived primarily on the right hand side under Jack Wilshere – although the form of Shayden Morris has given him fresh competition.
An intelligent operator with a delightfully well-rounded skillset, Richards could really fly under a head coach who knows a thing or two about becoming a top midfield player.
Isaac Heath
Perhaps the most exciting aspect of Isaac Heath’s move to Cambridge is that they signed the 21-year-old on a three-year contract.
As such, if his first season at the Abbey goes as hoped, he’ll still have two years left on his U’s deal next summer, and the club will have a strong hand at the negotiation table when Championship clubs seek his services.
Heath has the potential to attract that interest, having won Academy Player of the Year at Everton as recently as 2024-25, and having enjoyed a fruitful loan at Accrington Stanley last year, with six goals and six assists.
The versatile wide man gives Neil Harris’ squad plenty of flexibility, with the ability to play on either flank or wing-back position, which will help the former Millwall boss change formation, as he did last season flipping from 3-4-2-1 to 4-2-3-1.
A really exciting signing that significantly raises the value of the squad, on and off the field.
Oliver Whatmuff
In going from Dave Challinor’s direct style, to Jim McNulty’s possession-heavy approach, Stockport County will have to be prepared for change.
The good news, though, based on the signings of Ryan Glover, Kyron Gordon and now Oli Whatmuff – with the latter two having worked with McNulty at Rochdale – is that the club are recognising the need for McNulty to bring in players that suit his way of operating.
Whatmuff is yet to taste the EFL, so coming into an ambitious League One club that’s reached the Play-Offs in the last two seasons will be a step up, but he seems to have all the talent in the world to handle the adjustment.
The 18-year-old has starred for Manchester City at youth level, represented England at three consecutive age groups up to Under-19s, and demonstrated excellent shot-stopping ability on loan at Rochdale, where he kept 18 clean sheets in 40 games.
Crucially, he has unerring confidence with the ball at his feet, and can start attacks for County.
