Derby County’s Bobby Clark and David Ozoh are understood to have caught the attention of England U21s boss Lee Carsley, who watched their latest Championship performance
Bobby Clark is impressing in the Championship(Image: Getty Images)
Derby County pair David Ozoh and Bobby Clark are on the watchlist of England U21s manager Lee Carsley.
That news will interest Liverpool fans, as Clark graduated from the Merseyside club’s academy and made 14 first-team appearances under Jurgen Klopp – winning the Carabao Cup in 2024 – before joining Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg around the same time as Arne Slot’s appointment. The 21-year-old is currently completing a season-long loan at Derby.
It’s believed that Carsley was present in the stands to observe Derby’s win against Swansea at the weekend, providing him with an opportunity to assess Clark and Ozoh.
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Both players have been exceptionally impressive under Derby head coach John Eustace this season and have played a pivotal role in sending the club into the Championship’s top six.
Ozoh started Saturday’s match against the Swans and delivered a standout second-half performance as goals from Rhian Brewster and Patrick Agyemang secured the victory.
Clark, on the other hand, was a substitute for the visit of Vitor Matos’ side but had been dealing with a groin problem during the week, although he did come on for the final 30 minutes of the Championship encounter.
Bobby Clark could earn his first England U21 cap(Image: Getty Images)
Both players are currently on loan at Derby, with Ozoh in his second season at the club on a deal from Crystal Palace. Clark has netted four goals for Derby this season, and last found the back of the net in the 5-0 thrashing of Bristol City earlier this month.
He has also scored in victories over Charlton and Middlesbrough having hit the mark earlier in the campaign against Burnley.
Ozoh has featured in 19 league matches for Derby this campaign and, following his comeback from a thigh problem against Blackburn, has delivered consistently impressive displays in central midfield.
His solitary Derby goal this term came via a superb strike in a 1-0 triumph over Norwich.
Both players qualify for England U21s, who are well-positioned to secure their place in next year’s European championships. England currently leads its group under Carsley, having secured victory in all five fixtures to date, accumulating a perfect 15 points.
Despite Clark, who recently secured the EA Sports FC EFL Young Player of the Month award for January, celebrating his 21st birthday this month, he remains available for selection.
The regulations are structured to allow players to participate throughout an entire tournament cycle – from qualification through to the final stages.
This means that, for the 2027 competition, players can be included even if they’re 22 or 23, provided they were born on or after January 1, 2004.