Several Premier League youngsters currently playing in League One and League Two have represented England during November’s international break, with players from Stevenage, Wigan Athletic and Crawley Town among those involved.
Aston Villa loanee Benjamin Broggio and Chelsea prospect Reggie Walsh have already made telling contributions, while Arsenal goalkeeper Tommy Setford has featured for England Under-21s.
Stevenage and Wigan Youngsters Make Their Mark
Stevenage forward Benjamin Broggio was among the goalscorers as England Under-20s thrashed Czechia 6-1 at Mansfield Town’s One Call Stadium on Thursday evening. The Aston Villa youngster entered the match as a 63rd-minute substitute and rounded off the scoring in stoppage time. Broggio also contributed to England’s fifth goal, delivering a cross that eventually fell to Manchester City’s Brooklyn Nfonkeu-Feuba. His performance provided another encouraging moment for the Stevenage loanee, who is gaining senior experience in League One.
Meanwhile, Wigan Athletic midfielder Reggie Walsh has been involved in both of England Under-19s’ European Championship qualifying victories this week. The Chelsea youngster played 87 minutes against Slovenia on Wednesday, providing the pass for Reigan Heskey’s second goal in a 4-1 victory.
Walsh then started Saturday’s 5-0 win over Belarus, playing 60 minutes as Ben Futcher’s side maintained their perfect record in the qualifying group. The midfielder has become a regular member of Wigan’s League One squad since joining on loan from Chelsea.
Crawley Town goalkeeper Nicolas Michalski was another EFL representative involved in England’s emphatic victory over Czechia. The Blackburn Rovers loanee started between the posts for Darren Moore’s Under-20s, who have maintained their winning record in the Elite League.
Arsenal Loanee Among England Under-21 Representatives
Stevenage goalkeeper Tommy Setford was handed a starting role for England Under-21s in Friday’s friendly against Portugal at Bristol City’s Ashton Gate Stadium. The Arsenal loanee played the full match as Lee Carsley’s side suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat.
Setford was unable to prevent Afonso Moreira’s first-half winner but produced an impressive reaction save after the interval to deny Portugal another goal. His involvement represented a significant opportunity to gain experience at international level while continuing his development in League One.
Two other EFL goalkeepers, Doncaster Rovers‘ Tommy Simkin and Huddersfield Town’s Matthew Young, were also named in Carsley’s squad. Both remained unused substitutes against Portugal but could feature when England face France on Monday evening.
With further international fixtures scheduled over the coming days, several of these youngsters could receive additional opportunities before returning to their EFL clubs. Their involvement highlights the number of promising Premier League prospects gaining valuable senior experience across the lower divisions.
