Derby County youngsters David Ozoh and Bobby Clark are reportedly attracting attention from England under-21s boss Lee Carsley following their strong performances in the Championship this season.
DerbyshireLive understands that Carsley was present at Derby’s recent clash with Swansea City, providing him the opportunity to run the rule over both players.
Their displays have been pivotal in helping John Eustace’s side maintain a position in the Championship’s top six, highlighting the duo’s growing influence at Pride Park.
Ozoh started Saturday’s game against the Swans and delivered an impressive second-half performance, helping Derby secure a 2-0 victory with goals from Rhian Brewster and Patrick Agyemang.
Clark, who had been managing a groin issue during the week, came on as a substitute for the last 30 minutes, contributing to the team’s solid display.
Both players’ form in recent weeks has reinforced Derby’s depth and quality, demonstrating why they are now under consideration for England’s youth setup.
Their consistency has also made them key components of Eustace’s plans as Derby aim for a strong finish in the Championship.
Both Ozoh and Clark are currently on loan at Derby. Ozoh is in his second season with the club, having joined from Crystal Palace, while Clark signed a season-long deal from Austrian side RB Salzburg.
Clark has made a particularly noticeable impact, scoring four goals in all competitions this season.
His most recent goal came during Derby’s 5-0 rout of Bristol City earlier this month. He has also scored in victories over Charlton Athletic and Middlesbrough, as well as against Burnley earlier in the campaign.
Ozoh, meanwhile, has made 19 league appearances this season. Since returning from a thigh injury against Blackburn, he has been a consistently excellent performer in midfield, contributing both defensively and offensively.
He has scored once this season, a fine strike in a 1-0 win over Norwich, further underlining his influence at the heart of Derby’s team.
Both players are eligible for England under-21s, who are currently top of their qualifying group under Carsley, having won all five of their games to claim a maximum 15 points.
Although Clark recently turned 21 and has also been recognised as the EA Sports FC EFL Young Player of the Month for January, he remains eligible for selection.
The rules for the under-21 tournament ensure that players can feature throughout an entire qualification and tournament cycle.
For the 2027 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, for example, players born on or after January 1, 2004, can participate, meaning some squad members could be 22 or 23 by the finals.
This gives both Clark and Ozoh the potential to be involved at international level in the coming months.
With Derby pushing for a top-six finish and both Ozoh and Clark in impressive form, the pair’s continued development will be closely monitored by Carsley and the England under-21 setup.
Their loan spells provide crucial first-team experience, and if they maintain their performances, international recognition could follow sooner rather than later.
The presence of Carsley in the stands at Pride Park underscores the growing reputation of Derby’s young talents, while also highlighting the club’s success in nurturing players capable of stepping onto the international stage.
