It’s no secret, the quality of football in England’s second tier has increased ten-fold in recent years. Ever since the Premier League saw an influx of foreign investment, some of the country’s biggest and most reputable clubs have fallen through the relegation trapdoor and had to entail Championship football.
As a result, more and more teams are able to keep hold of their prized assets due to the inflated fees that are so widely demanded in the modern era. Here, we take a look at the seven best players currently plying their trade in the Championship who should be on the radar of England’s elite. Furthermore, all of the latest Premier League odds are available via Betfair.
Tammy Abraham
The Chelsea striker is technically a Premier League player already and it’s his brilliant form for Aston Villa this season which has seen him draw so many plaudits. With 16 goals in 20 Championship appearances, Abraham has reminded his parent club just what he is capable of.
With Wolverhampton Wanderers reportedly close to signing Abraham on loan until the rest of the season, the 21-year-old striker could be about to re-announce himself in the Premier League after a poor spell at Swansea City last season.
Luke Freeman
The Queens Park Rangers midfielder is arguably one of the most underrated Championship stars, but his talent is plainly obvious for all to see. Signing from Bristol City in January 2017, Freeman has simply dazzled at Loftus Road with his Pirlo-esque range of passing and deadly ability from set-pieces.
Freeman had been touted for a summer switch to Middlesbrough but if truth be told, the Premier League would be a more suited destination for the 26-year-old. In his two years in west London, Freeman has recorded 20 assists and 13 goals to date.
Harvey Barnes
One of the finest Championship talents to emerge this season, Barnes has really impressed during his loan spell at West Bromwich Albion. The attacking midfielder has nine goals and seven assists to his name already this season as the Baggies sit in the play-off places.
Barnes is another talent who is on loan from the Premier League and judging by his form this season, it’ll only be a matter of time when his back there. Parent club Leicester City are generating a reputation for providing opportunities to young hopefuls so expect Barnes to be strutting his stuff at the King Power next season.
Mason Mount
Derby County have enjoyed a fine first-half to the season and much goes to the impressive form of Mount. The Chelsea loan star has given the Rams an attacking edge that has seen Frank Lampard’s Derby climb to sixth in the table.
Mount, who is just 19 years of age, still has a lot to learn and develop with his game but all the signs are there for a future Premier League star in the making. At a guess, Mount will likely be back out on loan next season but if he continues to flourish, you can imagine a top flight side will come calling.
Jack Grealish
Perhaps the reason for Villa’s weakened play-off push is due to the shinbone injury that Grealish suffered in the run up to Christmas. The attacking midfielder is undoubtedly the Villains main man with his slick style of play and natural talent.
Grealish has the potential to make it to the very top and there’s no denying a summer switch away from Villa Park is more than likely. Tottenham Hotspur pushed hard to sign Grealish last summer but the north Londoner’s will have much more competition if they return with a bid this summer.
Teemu Pukki
The Finland international has arguably been one of the signings of the season in the Championship, helping Norwich City climb to second in the table. Pukki is currently the second-highest Championship scorer as well, notching 15 goals in just 23 outings.
At the age of 28, Pukki is certainly coming into his prime and would be an ideal addition to anybody outside of the top six. If he finishes the season the way he started, Pukki and Norwich could be about to get their Premier League wish granted.
Neal Maupay
Brentford haven’t exactly set the world alight so far this season but that doesn’t mean to say they don’t have a hidden gem or two. Ollie Watkins has been touted with a move away from Griffin Park but someone who will be more hotly pursued is Neal Maupay.
The French striker has been a revelation since signing from Saint-Etienne in the summer of 2017, scoring 27 goals so far. Maupay’s 15 goals this season have seen his stock rise and at just 22-years-old, the French striker will be a Premier League player soon enough.