Opinion: Preston North End, Stoke and Cardiff City should all be tracking Arsenal starlet ahead of summer transfer window

The Championship is a breeding ground for potential international players who head to the second tier to hone their craft, with some top Premier League clubs believing it is better for their development than playing in the under-23’s.

In the current England squad, the likes of Jordan Pickford, Reece James, Harry Kane, Emile Smith Rowe and many others have all spent time in the EFL during their rise, and the next crop of talents are biding their time and waiting to secure their own move.

Some start in a lower league than the Championship though, and one of the more exciting cases in the last few months is that of Brooke Norton-Cuffy, an Arsenal youngster who made his first loan move to Lincoln City in the January transfer window.

The 18-year-old is already making a big impression at the Imps and he netted his first senior goal earlier in the month when Michael Appleton’s side disposed of Sheffield Wednesday 3-1 at Sincil Bank.

Looking at his stats (via Wyscout), it’s not hard to see why Norton-Cuffy should probably be playing at a higher level – he averages 4.15 crosses per game, 6.95 dribbles per game but also 2.69 interceptions a match, showing he’s useful in defence as well as going forward.

Appleton’s decision to switch to a system that deploys wing-backs instead of full-backs has allowed the attack-minded teenager to flourish, and he’s made that much of an impression at his parent club that despite only signing his first professional contract two months ago, he has been offered fresh terms already to extend his stay, per The Athletic.

We can already look towards next season now and see what’s next for Norton-Cuffy, and there are several clubs in the Championship that should be trying their hardest to make a play for