Exclusive: Lee Hendrie names the 3 best midfielders in the EFL Championship right now | OneFootball

Lee Hendrie has exclusively told FLW his picks for the three midfielders in the Championship right now

Lee Hendrie has named Middlesbrough, Coventry City and Birmingham City players when listing his top three midfielders in the Championship.

Hayden Hackney, Jack Rudoni and Paik Seung-ho have all stood out in the early stages of the new campaign.

All teams have played four times so far, which has been enough time for some players to already earn significant praise.

Don Goodman already exclusively told FLW earlier this week his picks for the best three forwards are Haji Wright, Josh Sargent and Jay Stansfield.

Lee Hendrie picks his three top Championship midfielders

Hendrie has highlighted Hackney in particular for his impressive start to the season under a new manager in Rob Edwards, particularly highlighting his leadership skills at such a young age.

“At the moment, I’ve got to really be looking at the top end of the table, and Boro and Hayden Hackney’s been absolutely excellent for them this season,” Hendrie exclusively told Football League World.

“Already contributed a goal, started every game as well, and he’s a player that’s got that — I’ve said this before — he’s got that bit of leadership considering he’s still relatively young.

“He’s got that drive and obviously a new manager to go and impress, Rob Edwards, and he’s really done that I think this season, so he’d be one of my three for sure.”

He also believes that Jack Rudoni is definitely in the conversation for his contributions in attack: “And Jack Rudoni another one.

“Obviously, he’s ended up staying at the football club, again a more advanced midfielder but can get up and down the pitch, a goal threat as he’s proved again with a couple of goals and assists already.

“You have to say he’s definitely amongst [the top three].”

Finally, Hendrie suggested the importance of Paik’s defensive quality is just as important for Birmingham: “And, it’d have to be one of the two Birmingham centre-midfielders, I’d probably go for Paik in that midfield area.

“I’ve been impressed with him, to be honest, having watched him play.

“I think that he’s shown he’s certainly got a real bite about him in midfield, more of a defensive holding midfielder but really quite pivotal for Birmingham and the way they set up and try and keep the ball.

“He does that really well and breaks the game up really well, so I think they’d be my three that I’ve seen this season that I think have been stand out so far, but I’m sure that’ll change.”

Speculation surrounded the futures of both Rudoni and Hackney over the summer, but both remained at Coventry and Middlesbrough, respectively. Meanwhile, Paik helped Chris Davies’ side promotion from League One last season, and will prove crucial to another push for a top six finish this year.

Hard to argue against Lee Hendrie’s midfield picks

Hackney has proven himself as a top Championship midfielder under Michael Carrick, and he’s started this season in fantastic form.

If Boro aren’t promoted this year, then it’s difficult to imagine him remaining in the second tier beyond this term.

Meanwhile, Rudoni has made the move to the CBS Arena from last summer extremely well, and he could be crucial to Frank Lampard’s side sustaining a promotion push if he can keep up this level of performance.

And the defensive quality of Paik will be just as important for Birmingham, making this a really well-balanced pick for the top three midfielders in the division.