It's Youth Development Week in the EFL this week, and to kick things off, WhoScored.com take a look at their XI of those aged 21 and under across the Sky Bet Championship, Sky Bet League One and Sky Bet League Two.
For this side, those to have made more than 10 league appearances this season come into consideration with the below crop worth keeping an eye on.
Goalkeeper: James Trafford (Bolton Wanderers) - 6.90 rating
Occupying the spot between the sticks is Bolton shotstopper James Trafford. The on-loan goalkeeper has impressed in goal for the Trotters, as noted by a respectable WhoScored.com rating of 6.90. Only David Stockdale (8) has kept more clean sheets that Trafford (7) in League One this season to cap what has been a solid campaign so far for the 20-year-old.
Centre-back: Eiran Cashin (Derby County) - 7.40 rating
With a WhoScored.com rating of 7.40, Eiran Cashin is not only the best rated player aged 21 and under in the EFL, but the top performing centre-back in League One. Cashin's best quality is arguably his distribution, with the youngster ranking second for passes per game (67.3) in England's third tier to feature at the back.
Centre-back: Caleb Taylor (Cheltenham Town) - 7.27 rating
Ranking behind Cashin in League One, Caleb Taylor is the second best rated centre-back in the division having returned a WhoScored.com rating of 7.27 this season. Taylor ranks third for clearances per game (6.1) in the division, while only Cashin (6.9) is winning more aerial duels per game than the Cheltenham man (6.5) of centre-backs in League One.
Centre-back: Dynel Simeu (Tranmere Rovers) - 7.15 rating
Rounding off the three-man backline is Tranmere's Dynel Simeu. The 20-year-old has proven extremely difficult to get the better of having been successful with all 20 attempted tackles this season, while 4.4 clearances per game ranks 17th in the division to help Simeu to a WhoScored.com rating of 7.15.
Right midfield: Bali Mumba (Plymouth Argyle) - 7.17 rating
A key man in Plymouth's rise to the top of the League One table has been summer arrival Bali Mumba. The on-loan wideman has been directly involved in seven of Plymouth's 36 league goals this season, scoring three. Four assists ranks 10th in the division, while only two players have completed more dribbles (26) to help return a WhoScored.com rating of 7.17.
Central midfield: Alex Scott (Bristol City) - 6.87 rating
Bristol City youngster Alex Scott has attracted interest from Premier League sides, and it is easy to see why. Scott makes WhoScored.com's young team of the season so far with a rating of 6.87, and it's for good reason too. The teenager has registered three assists this season, and ranks 11th for tackles per game (2.5) in the Championship. Opponents have evidently pinpointed his influence, with Scott the most fouled player (46) in the Championship.
Central midfield: Jensen Weir (Morecambe) - 6.79 rating
Joining Scott in the middle of the park is Morecambe's Jensen Weir. The 20-year-old is enjoying a notable breakthrough season for the Shrimps having scored four times and provided one assist. Weir's solid all-round play, and his hard work off the ball, has seen him land a WhoScored.com rating of 6.79 in 2022/23.
Left midfield: Jack Clarke (Sunderland) - 7.07 rating
Featuring on the left in this XI is Sunderland's Jack Clarke. Clarke has been directly involved in 10 of the Black Cats' 24 league goals this season, netting four times, while no player has registered more assists (6) than the winger. Those six assists come from an average of 1.7 key passes per game, that the 14th highest in the Championship, to help Clarke to a WhoScored.com rating of 7.07.
Attacking midfield: Joao Pedro (Watford) - 7.33 rating
Despite interest from Newcastle over the summer, Watford managed to retain Joao Pedro's services over the summer, and the Brazilian has been a key man for the Hornets. He has scored four goals and averages more successful dribbles per game (2.7) than any other player in the Championship to contribute towards a WhoScored.com rating of 7.33.
Attacking midfield: Morgan Whittaker (Plymouth Argyle) - 7.00 rating
Morgan Whittaker scored his seventh league goal of the season in Plymouth's 4-2 win over Exeter and with a brace of assists to his name, the 21-year-old has now been directly involved in 33.3% of the Pilgrims' 36 league goals in 2022/23. Whittaker also ranks sixth for shots per game (2.9) in League One to make this team with a WhoScored.com rating of 7.00.
Striker: Kyle Joseph (Oxford United) - 6.89 rating
Leading the charge in this XI is Oxford forward Kyle Joseph, who has scored five league goals this season. Oxford may be struggling in League One this season, yet Joseph has been a consistent performer on the U's frontline, so much so that a WhoScored.com rating of 6.89 is better than any other player in his position of those aged 21 and under.
💫 As part of Youth Development Week, @WhoScored take a look at the top-rated #EFL players aged 21 and under so far this season. 📈#RaisedInTheEFL
— EFL (@EFL) November 8, 2022