Six National League Stars Set To Shine In The EFL

Our friends at Vanarama take a closer look at six players who will be plying their trade in the Football League next season after impressing in the National League...

Muhammadu Faal
As ways to sign off go, Muhammadu Faal’s final goal in Maidstone United colours was pretty significant.
His strike in the second minute of stoppage-time against Aveley on April 24 sent the Stones into the National League South semi-finals where they were beaten by eventual runners-up Worthing.

But it was not until this week that his next step became clear, signing for EFL League One new-boys Crawley Town on a six-month contract.

It is clear what the Sussex side have seen in the 27-year-old: Goals. Faal’s expected goals (xG) shot map shows his knack for putting away high-value (red) chances.

The most notable thing is all but one of his 14 goals for the Stones and Havant & Waterlooville last term came from the centre of the penalty area.

He is a high-value shooter – someone who does not waste chances from difficult positions. Stepping up from sixth to the third tier of the English system means he will need to be at his best again next term.

Lorent Tolaj
Aldershot Town’s knack for discovering rough diamonds under boss Tommy Widdrington and head of recruitment Jamie Hedges has rightly been lauded.

Not content with selling Josh Stokes to Championship side Bristol City in January, the Shots reluctantly allowed striker Lorent Tolaj to join Port Vale this summer after hitting 25 goals in 51 all-competition appearances.

An all-rounder of a forward, Tolaj chipped in with nine National League assists – fifth among all strikers in the division – while averaging 0.92 shots assisted last term.
Comfortable dropping in to link the play, as well as scoring all types of goal, it became increasingly apparent the Swiss youth cap would soon follow Stokes to the EFL.

Relegated from League One, the Valiants will be among the promotion favourites in League Two – if Tolaj adapts, another step up could be on the cards.

Chris Conn-Clarke
The 2023/24 season confirmed what National League observers have known for some time: Chris Conn-Clarke is an absolute baller.

Twenty-three goals and 12 assists (unsurprisingly) led the way among all attacking midfielders in the National League.

Those numbers became impossible to ignore for noted non-League talent-spotters Peterborough United who prised the Ulsterman away from Altrincham over the summer for an undisclosed fee.

Among all players in his position group, Conn-Clarke ranked 1st for shots, shots from free-kicks, dribbles attempted and completed, progressive runs, touches in the box and passes received.

His penchant for the spectacular is another string to his bow and we can see from his xG shot map how many of those goals were low-value chances.

The key now will be proving that feat is repeatable. After lighting up the National League in three separate spells at the J. Davison Stadium, we expect more of the same in the EFL.

Ed Francis
Eexter City are another club who have made a habit of shopping in the National League in recent times. Last summer they poached flying wing-back Vincent Harper from Eastleigh.

This year it was Gateshead’s all-seeing midfielder Ed Francis making the long journey to the South West after winning the FA Trophy with the Heed.

Under Mike Williamson and Rob Elliot, the Tynesiders were one of the most attractive sides to watch in the division and Francis was their metronomic presence in midfield.

No midfielder received more passes than the 24-year-old who was second for overall pass completions (2,478) and third for passes attempted (2,787).

That will be music to the ears of City supporters who have seen their side become synonymous with a similar style of play in League One.

Connor Barrett
The modern full-back must be able to contribute in offensive phases of play and former AFC Fylde defender Connor Barrett ticks that box – and then some!

His threat going forward was doubtless part of the reason Walsall snapped him up early this summer, joining the EFL League Two side on a three-year deal.

Barrett supplied nine assists from right-back last term – more than anyone else in his position – while also recording the highest expected assists (xA) value of any right-back.

Like expected goals, xA gives a value to the pass preceding a shot based on the likelihood of that chance going in. The higher the number up to one, the better the chance of scoring.

But the 22-year-old is no slouch defensively, either. He was successful in 10.46 defensive actions per 90 minutes, putting him sixth among his positional peers.

Charlie Barker
Wealdstone have developed a reputation for sending players back to the EFL in recent years and Charlie Barker is just the latest.

Signed permanently by the Stones after impressing on loan from Charlton Athletic, he has joined League One side Crawley Town for an undisclosed fee.

Still only 21, the defender is the son of former Crawley boss Richie Barker.

Solid in the air and dependable on the ground, Barker’s reading of the game and ability to build from the back make him the ideal modern-day centre-back.

And thanks to Wealdstone’s commitment to passing football, he ranked fifth among all central defenders for completed passes per 90 minutes last term, while posting the fifth-best passing accuracy (89.15%) overall.

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