The 14 best EFL Championship attacking midfielders right now ranked | OneFootball

FLW have ranked the 14 best attacking midfield players in the EFL Championship for the 2025/26 second tier season...

The Championship has long been a breeding ground for attacking talent, with the division offering up a serious list of quality attacking midfield players. The league is in a strange spot right now, mirroring the Premier League in some ways as a unique blend of physical intensity and technical demands from its players. The Championship is currently a league where creativity must now coexist with work rate.As ever, the individuals tasked with operating between the lines are often tasked with unlocking stubborn defences, but now while also contributing out of possession. As a result, the role of the attacking midfielder has evolved into something far more fluid than a traditional number 10.

At its core, an attacking midfielder is responsible for linking midfield and attack, but that job description now varies significantly depending on system and the profile the manager is demanding. For example, some are classic playmakers, stationed centrally and dictating tempo with vision and precision passing.

Others drift wide, functioning as creative outlets from the flanks without being out-and-out wingers. There are also those who operate almost as secondary strikers, arriving late into the box and playing off of a focal point number nine.

The diversity doesn’t end there. Some thrive through ball-carrying and dribbling, making them capable of progressing play single-handedly. Others are there for their output, where they consistently deliver goals and assists. Then there are the passers — players who can open up games with a single action by threading passes others simply don’t see. The very best combine elements of all three.

The best attacking midfielders in the Championship

With all that in mind, ranking the Championship's standout attacking midfielders is no easy task. When profiles differ, systems vary, and responsibilities are always adapting, it can be a difficult task. But across the division, there is no shortage of talent capable of shaping matches through moments of quality.

Honourable mentions include Bobby Clark of Derby County, Ryoya Morishita of Blackburn Rovers, and Tomi Horvat of Bristol City. We have also included Leo Scienza as more of a winger, despite the Southampton star being capable of operating as a central playmaker as well.

14. Todd Cantwell (Blackburn Rovers)

Todd Cantwell remains a player of undeniable technical quality, even if consistency has often eluded him. At his best, he operates as a clever between-the-lines player, who is capable of linking play and driving at defenders with purpose. His close control and ability to manipulate space make him a difficult opponent to contain, particularly when he finds rhythm early in games.

At Blackburn, he has shown flashes of the player who once thrived in the Premier League. He has composure in possession and an eye for incisive passes. However, his influence can fluctuate, which is why he finds himself lower down this list. Still, on his day, Cantwell possesses the tools to dominate Championship fixtures and remains a dangerous creative outlet, as well as a leader for Rovers.

13. Alfie Devine (Preston North End)

It's fair to say that this season has been a step forward for Alfie Devine. He is rapidly improving and beginning to showcase why he is so highly regarded by his parent club Tottenham Hotspur. The young midfielder has always had the technical quality but has a growing maturity in terms of his decision-making, which allows him to influence games more consistently in advanced areas.

Operating primarily as a number 10, he has developed a knack for arriving around the box in dangerous positions. It's been his best campaign for goals and assists too this term. His composure in possession allows Preston North End to build attacks through him. There is still development to come, but Devine’s trajectory is firmly upwards. He is already proving to be a valuable attacking presence at Championship level.

12. Scott Twine (Bristol City)

Scott Twine’s reputation as a free-kick specialist alone makes him a constant threat, but his overall attacking game has been almost as impressive this season. Possessing excellent ball-striking ability, he can influence matches from distance, whether through set-pieces or open play.

Beyond that, he has creativity, even if not as consistently showing it as others higher up this list. With his role for Bristol City, he is often drifting into pockets to receive and do damage. His ability to shoot early and catch goalkeepers off guard adds another dimension to his game. While he may not dominate matches consistently, Twine’s moments of quality can be decisive — and have been this season.

11. Isaac Price (West Bromwich Albion)

Because of West Bromwich Albion's drop off this season, many have forgotten just how impressive Isaac Price is at his best. He is an energetic and intelligent player in a variety of midfield roles. Still young, he offers a balanced profile that suits modern systems in different ways. He is capable of operating in multiple positions but also scoring and assisting when in full flow.

His off-the-ball movement is a particular strength in his skill-set, allowing him to arrive in dangerous areas and to be a support player in attacking phases. While not the most flamboyant player on this list, Price’s consistency and discipline make him a dependable option who can contribute. He will only develop and get better from now onward, too.

10. Sammie Szmodics (Derby County)

Had this been done a few seasons ago while at Blackburn, Sammie Szmodics would have ranked higher on this list. As it is, Szmodics is still the best goalscorer on this list. Perhaps more of a secondary striker, he is a relentless footballer who thrives on arriving in the box at the right time. His movement is sharp, his anticipation is always a standout aspect of his game, and his finishing is usually clinical.

While the Derby County ace may not possess the same creative flair as others, his output is undeniable. He plays with intensity and constantly looks to exploit space and get on the end of chances. In a league where goals are at a premium, the Ipswich Town loanee’s ability to deliver consistently makes him a hugely valuable attacking weapon when he is fully fit and firing.

9. Giorgi Chakvetadze (Watford)

On pure talent alone, Girogi Chakvetadze is arguably the most gifted on the list. His technical level is superb and he is undoubtedly the best dribbler on this list. Injuries have hit in recent years but he is capable of gliding past defenders with ease when at his best. His close control and agility allow him to carry the ball through tight spaces, meaning he can often turn defence into attack in an instant.

There is a flair to his game that few can match. When he is in full flow, he is incredibly difficult to stop. His output for goals and assists lacks with Watford and consistency remains an area for improvement, but in terms of pure ability, Chakvetadze stands out as one of the division’s most exciting attacking midfielders.

8. Josh Windass (Wrexham)

Wrexham's Josh Windass operates almost as a secondary striker, meaning he brings directness and goal threat to the attacking midfield role. His willingness to run beyond the forward line and attack space makes him a constant danger. However, his creativity is an underrated element within his arsenal.

The experienced Championship operator certainly combines energy with a clinical edge, given his goal catalogue highlights that he is highly capable of scoring from a variety of situations. While not a traditional playmaker, Windass’ impact in the final third is always there. He will get assists but his ability to influence games in some capacity keeps him firmly in this conversation.

7. Callum O'Hare (Sheffield United)

Callum O’Hare has always looked like a player primed to explode into life at this level. On the eye, he was always a dynamic and intelligent attacking midfielder who looked capable. He could not put it together consistently in terms of his movement and link-up play. But now, his ability to find pockets and connect phases has become far more consistent.

He was never overly reliant on goals or assists, but that has also been present in 2025/26. His overall contribution to attacking fluidity is also immense, with the player knitting plays together but also elevating those around him due to his busy nature on and off the ball. It has made him a vital cog in Sheffield United’s attacking structure this season.

6. Anis Mehmeti (Ipswich Town)

Anis Mehmeti is perhaps the player most like a winger on this list, given that he has spent plenty of his career operating there. Kieran McKenna's new-look attack often sees him central now, though. He thrives when isolating defenders, using his pace and trickery to create openings, but his passing has also looked more like a classic playmaker.

While his role differs slightly from a traditional number 10, his attacking output has been there for all to see this season with Bristol City and Ipswich Town. His directness added a different dimension to this Ipswich side in January and he looks like an inspired piece of business.