England’s second tier is back in full-flow, and, after the opening four games, it is the unbeaten Bournemouth who are the favourites to win the title – according to the latest English Championship odds. As we gear up for the action to get back underway, following the international break, let’s take a look at five players to watch out for. Read on to find out more.
Adam Armstrong – Blackburn Rovers
23-year-old Adam Armstrong has got his season off to a flying start. The striker has scored five goals in just four games. Armstrong scored in Blackburn Rovers’ opening day 3-2 defeat away to Bournemouth, before bagging a hattrick in his sides 5-0 thrashing over newly promoted Wycombe Wanderers at Ewood Park. In game week three, Armstrong was on the scoresheet again, this time netting as Blackburn knocked Derby County for four, at Pride Park. The young forward’s scoring streak came to an end in the Rovers’ last outing, before the current international break – which was a goalless draw at home to Cardiff City.
Ivan Toney – Brentford
After netting 24 goals in 32 League One appearances, for Peterborough United, last season, and Brentford’s talisman, Ollie Watkins, moving to Aston Villa, striker Ivan Toney signed for the Bees in the summer – taking a leap up a division to the Championship. The prolific 24-year-old failed to find the back of the net in his first two outings for Brentford, as they lost to Birmingham and thrashed Huddersfield. However, in his third game, Toney levelled from the penalty spot in a 1-1 draw against Millwall, before netting twice in his sides 4-2 defeat against Preston North End.
Bryan Mbeumo – Brentford
France Under-21 international Bryan Mbeumo joined the Bees from French Ligue 2 side Troyes last season, and quickly became an instant hit in west London. The 21-year-old scored 15 goals, and provided eight assists, in 42 Championship games last season. This season, the winger has already notched a goal and two assists in his side’s opening four games. Mbeumo set-up Marcus Foss for Brentford’s second goal against Huddersfield, before bagging the third in the 3-0 victory. The winger provided his second assist for Toney in the 4-2 defeat against Preston.
Arnaut Danjuma Groeneveld – Bournemouth
Arnaut Danjuma Groeneveld joined Bournemouth from Belgian side Club Brugge for £16 million last summer and featured 14 times in the Premier League for the Cherries, as they were relegated to the Championship. Groeneveld started in Bournemouth’s first three games this season, scoring the winner six minutes from full-time in a 3-2 win over Blackburn, before assisting Dominic Solanke for his side’s opener in a 1-1 against Middlesbrough. The 23-year-old then netted the Cherries only goal of the game against Norwich City. However, before the international break, he was left out of the matchday squad against Coventry City.
Tyrhys Dolan – Blackburn Rovers
After spending most of his youth career with Manchester City and Preston, Tyrhys Dolan was offered his first professional contract by Blackburn Rovers back in July. The 18-year-old winger was handed his Championship debut, coming off the bench to replace Ben Brereton for the last 22 minutes of the 3-2 defeat to Bournemouth. Against Wycombe, Dolan was given his first professional start, and he took the game by the scruff of the neck, scoring and assisting, in a 5-0 win over Wycombe. The youngster was back on the scoresheet against Derby but failed to make an impact in a 0-0 draw against Cardiff.