HURRY STYLES
Callum made EFL debut at 16 and now wants to take Tykes in a new direction
WHATEVER else Barnsley’s Callum Styles achieves, he is already a quiz question answer.
Styles was the first player born in the new millennium to appear in the EFL, making his debut for Bury in May 2016, aged just 16.
The midfielder, who had earlier been released by Burnley’s academy, had to ask permission from his school because he was studying for his GCSEs.
Styles came on in the win over Southend, although there was a sting in the tail and the Shakers were deducted three points, because they had not registered him properly.
“It was just a whirlwind of emotions,” he said. “I was still in school, so had to get permission to take time off for training and to prepare for the game.
“I came on and it was crazy to make my debut in League
One when I was still at school. It felt a bit mad, but I took it all in my stride.”
Styles, 20, joined Barnsley for £500,000 in August 2018 and scored his first senior goal in their dramatic escape act on the final day of last season, when they beat Brentford in stoppage time.
“I don’t think anyone could have written that,” he said. “As soon as the final whistle went, it was just a mad emotion fest.”
Styles, who has already made 96 league appearances, has kicked on this season and starred in the Tykes’ run of 22 points from 24 to climb into the top-six, ahead of today’s promotion showdown at Bournemouth.
Fans are dreaming of a first return to the Premier League since 1998 and Styles’ displays have earned him the EFL Player of the Month award for February.
“To be noticed for doing well and helping the team in an unbeaten month is really good,” he said. “I always feel I’m improving, although it’s not always a straight line. The more games I play, the more experience I gain, and hopefully the better player I become.”
Barnsley were without a league win and in the bottom three when Valerien Ismael took over as manager in October, and Styles says huge credit must go to the Frenchman, who has won 17 of his 28 League matches.
“He’s taken it back to basics and simplified the game,” Styles added. “I hope the Premier League will come because that’s been my dream since I was very young.”