Exclusive: Lee Hendrie names and ranks his top 4 wingers in the EFL Championship right now | OneFootball

The Championship is currently home to a plethora of exciting wide players

Sky Sports pundit and EFL expert, Lee Hendrie, has named and ranked his top four wingers currently plying their trade in the Championship.

The second-tier of English football is currently home to some exceptional talent across all departments, yet it is, more often than not, those who shine in attacking and creative areas of the pitch who grab the vast majority of headlines.

Such developments have been no different across the opening 15 games of the current season, during which we have seen plenty of twists and turns and surprises - for both good and bad reasons.

At present, it is Coventry City who, as a collective, are blowing almost all before them away in terms of results and their creativity, with Frank Lampard set to mark one year in charge with the Sky Blues residing at the top of the Championship, having seen his side accumulate 34 points from the first 45 available, whilst scoring a total of 40 goals in said timeframe.

That is, unsurprisingly, the highest number of goals scored by any team in the Premier League, the second-tier, League One and League Two, and is a complete contrast to Sheffield United, who are currently the division's most goal-shy side, having posted just 11 strikes thus far despite the pool of talent at Chris Wilder's disposal.

However, with the season now entering its third international break - also the last of 2025 - it is a chance for managers, players, supporters and pundits to take stock of what we have already witnessed, ahead of the gruelling Christmas period.

After previously ranking his best-performing individuals in other positions, Hendrie exclusively revealed to Football League World, who he loves to watch in wide areas at this moment in time.

Lee Hendrie names and ranks his top 4 wingers in the EFL Championship right now

The former Aston Villa and England midfielder is spoiled for choice in this particular field, although it may come as no surprise to some as to who took home the crown of top spot.

"There's been some exciting wide players in the Championship this season," the Sky pundit told FLW.

"(Abdul) Fatawu's been very good at Leicester. He's got an exciting presence when he's on the pitch.

"(Tatsuhiro) Sakamoto's been excellent for Coventry - a different kind of wide player," Hendrie added. "He's very skilful and intelligent on the ball.

"Then you've got the likes of Jaden Philogene, who I think is outstanding. He probably tops the group of these four, just because he's got goals in him, and a real aura. He's a confident, young man," the former Villa man claimed.

"I also like Anis Mehmeti at Bristol City. I think he's got bags of ability and goals, he's been very good for them.

"That would be my four. Obviously, there's a few out there," he explained.

"I would definitely say that Jaden Philogene would top the bill, Fatawu next, Sakamoto (third) and Mehmeti (fourth)."

Lee Hendrie's top 4 EFL Championship wingers are certainly valid shouts

It is hard to disagree with any of Hendrie's four picks, with all of them playing key roles in what have certainly been mixed starts for the clubs in question.

The pundit's top pick of Philogene would certainly be a popular choice, with the 23-year-old known for showcasing his high-class level in the Championship many times for the likes of Cardiff City, Hull City and now Ipswich Town, which included a hat-trick haul against Sheffield United in September.

Fatawu previously excelled in the second-tier during Leicester's title-winning campaign under Enzo Maresca with six goals and 13 assists, and will hope to reach similar heights under Marti Cifuentes despite a mixed run of form for himself and the Foxes of late.

Sakamoto, much like Ephron Mason-Clark, has somewhat gone under the radar at Coventry due to the standout performances of Brandon Thomas-Asante and Haji Wright. But, the intelligence which Hendrie referenced has certainly been displayed, with four goals and two assists thus far.

Likewise, Mehmeti has certainly built on his 12 goals from last season, starting Gerhard Struber's reign at Ashton Gate with five goals and three assists in 15 games, meaning Premier League suitors could come knocking for the Albanian international.