Ten Championship players Premier League clubs should look to sign | OneFootball

The Championship is a natural breeding ground for talent to progress to the top tiers of world football, with some of Europe’s elite coming from England’s second tier.

The likes of Jude and Jobe Bellingham‘s careers started in the Championship with Birmingham City, along with Sporting Lisbon goal machine Viktor Gyokeres homing his craft at Coventry City.

HaytersTV take a look at ten players that Premier League clubs should look to sign during this summer transfer window.

Borja Sainz (24) – Norwich City

The 2024/25 season was a breakthrough campaign for Borja Sainz, who until then had impressed but not shone for a Norwich City side roaming around mid-table. However, 18 goals and four assists for the Canaries was an impressive return for player who scored just six times the previous season. The Spaniard had scored 15 times by the end of November, but only found the net three more times by seasons end. Still showed the quality needed for the top flight.

Gustavo Hamer (28) – Sheffield United

After moving to Sheffield United at the start of 2023/24, Hamer should have moved back to England’s top division following the Blades’ relegation that season. The Dutchman stayed and went on to win Championship Player of the Season after a productive season in front of goal, with his ball carrying one of his key attributes, something that was very prominent in his sole Premier League season. It remains to be seen whether Hamer departs Bramall Lane this summer.

Finn Azaz (24) – Middlesbrough

A consistent Championship performer over the past two season, Azaz continued his development under the recently dismissed Michael Carrick and looks destined for a move to the Premier League this window. Crystal Palace are one of a number of top flight clubs linked to the Republic of Ireland international. Usually operating in the middle of the pitch, Azaz has the ability to play off the left hand side, with his versatility and ball winning in the final third also impressive.

Tom Fellows – (21) West Bromwich Albion

England Under-21 international Fellows ended the 2024/25 season as the Championship top assister with 14 and at 21 is the youngest on this list. New West Brom boss Ryan Mason will be hoping to keep the talented winger for another year, but Everton have been heavily linked with a move. Fellows ranked 5th in the whole of the Championship for progressive carries with 156, with 65 carries going into the penalty area.

Hayden Hackney (22) – Middlesbrough

Another player to shine under the departed Carrick, Hackney has shown superb consistency for the Teeside club in the last two seasons. Predominantly a defensive midfielder, the 22-year-old scored five and assisted three times for Boro on their way to narrowly missing out on the play-offs. Hackney also ranked highly in defensive actions, winning 217 duels and recovering the ball 281 times. His 440 progressive passes put him above another from the top five leagues, 78 more than Bayern Munich’s Joshua Kimmich.

Vinicius Souza (26) – Sheffield United

A powerhouse of a midfielder, Vinicius Souza looked out of place in the Championship, owed to his superior physicality to other players and incredible defensive output. Not one of venture towards goal, Souza was the rock at the base of the Sheffield United midfield. The Brazilian won 73 tackles and 230 duels, as well as 61.3 per cent of his aerial duels, as the Blades dramatically missed out on play-off promotion. The 26-year-old is rumoured to want to leave the club this summer.

Milan van Ewijk (24) – Coventry City

Strong in the tackle and an unlikely goal threat, Milan van Ewijk was a constant in a Coventry side that reached the play-offs, starting all 45 of the games he was involved in. The Dutchman created 54 chances from right back, ranking him highly compared to other fullbacks, and always found his way into the opposition’s box. Van Ewijk’s pace is also another key attribute to how he plays, as he has the ability to recover the ball, hence his 199 recoveries. The 24-year-old should be an option for any of the promoted sides.

Giorgi Chakvetadze (25) – Watford

A player whose statistics do not do him justice. One of the stars of Georgia’s run to the quarter-final at EURO 2024, Chakvetadze stepped up to become one of Watford’s main stars under Tom Cleverley. The 25-year-old’s brilliant ball carrying skills meant opponents found him difficult to stop, with 65 complete dribbles and 51 fouls won. He created 73 chances for his team mates but ended the season with a meagre six assists. It remains to be seen whether the Hornets can keep hold of their star midfielder.

Anel Ahmedhodžić (26) – Sheffield United

The third Sheffield United player on this list, Ahmedhodžić has showed his quality in the Premier League and Championship and was part of an impressive Blades defence that finished third in the league. The Bosnian managed to win 81.1 per cent of his tackles as well as managing 40 interceptions. The 26-year-old has also been linked with a move away from the club, with Ipswich, Napoli and Atalanta all interested in his services.

Jack Rudoni (24) – Coventry City

Signed to replace Sheffield United bound Callum O’Hare last summer, Rudoni rewarded Coventry’s faith by scoring nine times and assisted a further 12. He ranked highest in terms of crosses with 289, whilst he completed 78 key passes, with only three other players outperforming him. Rudoni’s defensive numbers also caught the eye, with 146 ball recoveries as well as 50 per cent of aerial duels won. Newcastle and Leeds are reported to be interested in acquiring the 24-year-old.