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Meet the Premier League loanees set to collide in National League play-off final
As always, the National League play-off final is stuffed with compelling narratives, with Boreham Wood and Rochdale set to face off at Wembley Stadium on Sunday.
For the Wood, it is an opportunity to reach the Football League for the first time in their 78-year history, while Dale are eyeing a return to the EFL after a turbulent decline.
Over the years, more and more Premier League clubs have sent players out on loan to the Non-League to give them a taste of first-team football, which is highly taxing and a sure test of their capabilities.
Indeed, there are two key players set to start between the sticks for either side at the home of football, and both are on loan from Premier League giants with England potential, but who are they?
Ted Curd (Boreham Wood) - on loan from Chelsea
One man who has been progressing phenomenally in the Non-League pyramid is Ted Curd, who joined Boreham Wood on loan from Chelsea in mid-November.
Curd experienced his first taste of Non-League football in 2023 when he was loaned out to Hashtag United before making a name for himself at Beveree Stadium with Hampton & Richmond.
During his time with the National League South club, he forged a reputation based on his superb shot-stopping as well as his ability to play out from the back with his feet, epitomising what a modern-day keeper should look like.
Since moving to Meadow Park, he has made the goalkeeping position his own, making 30 appearances in all competitions whilst keeping 14 clean sheets in the process.
Not only that, but the 20-year-old has also been capped at every youth level by England from under-15s to under-19s, with a seemingly bright future ahead of him.
He also has two trophies to his name, having won the UEFA Conference League with the Blues and the National League Cup with Boreham Wood.
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Oliver Whatmuff (Rochdale) - on loan from Manchester City
A man with less Non-League experience than Curd but who is equally impressive in terms of ability and potential is Rochdale's Oliver Whatmuff, who is on loan from serial Premier League winners Manchester City.
Whatmuff moved to the Crown Oil Arena at just 17 years of age last summer, but has managed to establish himself as Dale's number one between the sticks.
The teenager has made 39 appearances in all competitions this season, making an impressive 18 clean sheets, bettered only by York City's Harrison Male, who played eight more league games.
The Lancaster-born keeper has not only represented City at youth level, but he has also played for England's under-17's, 18s and 19s despite his tender years.
What is fascinating is that not only will Curd and Whatmuff be battling it out in the play-off final, but they are likely to go head-to-head at international level for years to come.
Indeed, it would be unsurprising if Three Lions scouts were in attendance at Wembley, and both will be hell-bent on delivering a Man of the Match performance for their respective sides.
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Which other Premier League loanees could appear?
Boreham Wood winger Leon Ayinde is the most likely of the remaining loanees to make an impact in the final and is on loan from recently promoted Ipswich Town.
The 21-year-old has developed into a first-team regular under Luke Garrard, scoring twice and providing one assist, and started both of the Woods' previous play-off matches against Forest Green Rovers and Carlisle United.
They also have Josh Landers and Junior Robinson on loan from West Ham United, and while neither is expected to start, Landers could make an impact from the bench as he has often done this term.
For Rochdale, they have Callum Perry, currently on loan from runaway Championship winners Coventry City, who has been a regular in the hub of Jimmy McNulty's defence.
The 20-year-old has helped Dale keep eight clean sheets this season and could top off a phenomenal campaign with two promotions.
From Jamie Vardy to Jarrod Bowen, the National League has possessed some of England's best talents over the years, and Curd and Whatmuff are primed to become household names in the near future, starting at Wembley.
How to watch Boreham Wood vs. Rochdale exclusively on DAZN
The play-off finals for all three divisions in the National League will be available on DAZN for £14.99 with an NLTV Season Pass.
From next season, DAZN will have more National League coverage than ever before with:
- 400+ National League games live on DAZN from the 26/27 season
- Every National League team live at least 30 times a season
- A selection of National League North and National League South matches is available every month
- Every playoff game live
NLTV on DAZN is available on any device, including Smart TVs, mobile devices, tablets, streaming devices, games consoles, and, for viewers in the UK, your Sky box.
If you do not have the App already, then just follow these instructions....
- Download the free DAZN App from your normal App store on your TV, phone, tablet, or streaming device
- On a laptop or PC, visit www.DAZN.com/home
- Select 'Get started' or 'log in'
- Enter your email address, or sign up via the Apple, Google, or Facebook options
- You then have access to all of DAZN's free content, including the Matchroom boxing channel, LIV Golf, and FIFA+
- Then find the National League page and click 'buy now'
For more information and to sign up, head here now.
*3pm Saturday kick-offs are subject to TV blackout restrictions, but available to watch later on Saturday on demand
