Which Current Imps Could Make It to the Premier League?

Lincoln City have had an undoubted success in recent seasons, aiding the development of players at a high level, writes Oliver Burton.

Among the most notable are Morgan Rogers and Brennan Johnson who are now Premier League and even European regulars, both of whom played together at City in the 20/21 Playoff Final campaign. Harry Toffolo is the club’s most successful sale in being sold to Championship Huddersfield and then progressed to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League, appearing 43 times for them.

That poses a huge question; which current Imps could be the next to follow the likes of Rogers and Toffolo? Oliver Burton’s first article on the Stacey West explores the candidates.

Ethan Erhahon

Perhaps the crown jewel of City’s side under Michael Skubala, it is highly anticipated by most associated with the club that the number six will go on to be a top player, and it will take at least a seven-figure sum to prize him away from the LNER Stadium. Signing from the Imps in January 2023 from Scottish Premiership side St Mirren, the midfielder has gone on to appear over 70 times for the Imps and has quickly asserted himself as somewhat of a fan favourite scoring three times in the process, including that moment away at Wycombe in January sparking the run to seventh in the table.

Ethan has been a top performer in League One since his arrival and, according to Jez George, said, “I don’t think clubs in the Championship will be doing their jobs properly if there wasn’t interest,” when talking about him to BBC Radio Lincolnshire. Recently linked with moves to the Championship and even abroad, it is easy to see why our man in the middle is of interest from so-called ‘bigger clubs’. Erhahon ranks seventh in League One for interceptions per 90’, with that figure standing at 2.5 with 15 in total across the season up to the time of writing. The interesting part of this stat is that it makes him the leading midfielder in the division for interceptions, as 1-6 placed in the list are all defenders or wingbacks. Stats such as these prove how much of a vital cog he is to City, and can explain why he is sought after.

Combative defensive midfielders are also of vital importance to successful Premier League outfits, with the top two of last season (Man City and Arsenal) having spent big money on the position, with Declan Rice costing around £100m. The Scot may not live up to the same ability of Rice or Rodri, but he is certainly comparable in his playstyle and attributes. Erhahon has silky ball at feet ability, and seems to be able to wriggle out of any tight space under pressure effortlessly.

Perhaps overlooked by other fans in League One, there is no doubt in my mind that he can become at least a top Championship player as well as a Scotland international. It can even be argued that he was too good for League One before he even signed for the Imps, being a player of very high calibre. Perhaps one of the best permanent players Lincoln have ever had and certainly in my lifetime, Erhahon is a player one can only admire and when the time comes that he will leave, it will be a historic day for the club.

Michael Skubala

Since his arrival, Skubala has overseen a remarkable upturn in form for the Imps since appointment in November 2023, recording an impressive 43.59% win rate in League One fixtures, even securing an extended contract with City until the end of the 2027-28 season.
Starting his coaching career as a PE teacher in Leicestershire, Skubala has taken a somewhat unusual route to first team management, having had careers in futsal including with The FA, and during his early career, he became such highly rated and respected coach in the game, to an extent where UEFA appointed him as a Football Advisor, where he worked in smaller footballing nations such as Estonia to improve their quality of football coaching.

Technically, the Englishman has already been a Premier League manager, acting as an interim for Leeds United in the 22/23 season, which included a 2-2 draw against Manchester United away at Old Trafford. I believe, however, that in the future, he could return to the top flight as a permanent manager this time, however. Towards the end of last season, The Imps managed to come within a hair width of the League One Playoff, in which Skubala’s style of play, combined with a fully available squad, created one of the most in-form teams in the country. One impressive stat which can be accredited with the head coach is that in this calendar year, Lincoln City have amassed more League One points than anyone else at the time of writing – a stat that is not created by luck.

The modern game in the Premier League is highly technical and most teams including the likes of Man City and Aston Villa play front-footed football similar to Skubala. Possession with a purpose is my way of viewing Michael’s playing style as despite being 24th in the league for average possession, the Imps have still managed to amass a positive placed position, whilst looking a threat in attack as seen against Mansfield in which we netted four goals. It is a stark contrast to the days of Mark Kennedy, who also had a low possession count whilst barely scoring goals.

I believe that in the Premier League, Skubala could be very effective at bottom half sides such as an Everton or a Bournmouth who are used to having less of the ball and therefore scoring less. I believe that Michael’s tight and effective defensive tactics as well as his efficient turnover and counterattacking instructions could, in the future, make him strong in the lower mid-table of the Premier League with the view to progress.

It is not hard to see Skubala eventually leaving LN5, but hopefully after a promotion to the Championship.

Honourable Mention – Sean Roughan

Sean is a very talented young player in breaking onto the scene as a 17-year-old in 2020 under Micheal Appleton, who then proceeded to exile the young man from the squad. The Irishman has since gone on to hit a century of appearances for the Imps, which is hugely impressive at only 21.

Whilst I believe that Roughan is capable of reaching the Championship, whether that be with us or someone else, I am uncertain whether a Premier League move is plausible. In saying that, I was of a similar opinion of previously mentioned fellow left-back Harry Toffolo after he left for Danny Cowley’s Huddersfield in 2020, and he has since improved leaps and bounds to join Nottingham Forest.

Roughan is arguably the best tackler at the club (maybe just behind Ethan Erhahon) and has always been an outstanding defender over his 100 appearances, I would perhaps question his technical ability a must have in the Premier League. I’m not stating that he can’t kick a ball, far from it, I just don’t believe that his ball playing ability is as good as other players in already the championship, whom would be more likely to receive a transfer to the Premier League.

It is not definite that the number 23 can’t reach the top-flight, but I would class it as more unlikely, hence the honourable mention.