Ranking the 10 best British EFL Championship players right now | OneFootball

FLW has ranked the Championship's best homegrown talent on offer right now

The Championship, as ever, is full of homegrown talent and quality right throughout the division this season.

All 24 clubs are required to have their fair share of players who have come through their individual ranks or that of a fellow club within the country, which in turn, helps showcase the pool of talent on offer to a wider audience, proving why the second-tier is one of the best leagues in world football.

There have been several instances in recent times when current national and global stars have blossomed in the EFL before going on to further their careers elsewhere, or when former top-level players have made stunning moves to the Championship later on in their career.

With that being said, Football League World has named 10 of the best-performing British - English, Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish - performers over recent times, compiling them into a 10-1 ranking, and here is the selection.

10 Tommy Conway

Kickstarting this list is Middlesbrough striker and Scotland international, Tommy Conway.

At just 23 years of age, the striker still has plenty of potential yet to fulfill, but is already stacked with Championship experience, having previously come through the Bristol City ranks.

After accumulating 25 goals and six assists for the Robins, Conway completed a £4.5m switch to the Riverside Stadium last summer, and his impact was immediate despite the fact the campaign ended in ultimate disappointment for Michael Carrick's side.

The six-time international found the back of the net 13 times last season, and has already had a key influence on Rob Edwards' strong start to life as Middlesbrough boss, despite the recent arrival of Slovakian international, David Strelec.

9 Charlie Hughes

In ninth spot is Hull City centre-back Charlie Hughes, whose trajectory continues to go upwards following his move from Wigan Athletic last summer.

On many occasions, the 21-year-old has showcased why he was in the youth ranks of both Manchester City and Liverpool, playing with a maturity and composure beyond his years at the heart of the Tigers' defence.

His dominance in defence, as well as his ball-playing ability and aerial threat was showcased by winning Hull's Young Player of the Season award, before the East Yorkshire side knocked back three bids from Coventry City, with the MKM Stadium hierarchy believing Hughes has the potential to make the club at least £20m should his fine form continue.

8 Sorba Thomas

Next up is Welsh international Sorba Thomas, who has got off to a flying start following his summer move to Stoke City from Huddersfield Town.

The versatile winger had previously generated plenty of hype during his second-tier days with the Terriers, which saw him hit double-figures for both goals and assists during the 2021/22 and 2023/24 campaigns, despite the latter of those ending in relegation.

However, since returning to the division, Mark Robins couldn't have asked for a better impact from the 19-cap international, who has followed up his first Wales goal against Belgium in June with a fine collection of both goals and assists, as well as causing plenty of havoc for opposition defenders with his pace, trickery and direct nature that has got supporters well and truly off their seats in the Potteries.

7 Japhet Tanganga

Japhet Tanganga could have easily become a top-flight player this summer due to a £1.2m release clause in his Millwall contract. However, he will be hoping such fortunes do play out despite an unfortunate start to his Sheffield United career.

The former Tottenham Hotspur defender excelled during his time at the Den between January 2024 and last month, being on the receiving end of mass praise for his dominant performances in the air, which also saw him net a handful of crucial goals for the Lions under Neil Harris and Alex Neil.

Harris described Tanganga as a "Premier League player all day long" last November, and it's not been hard to see why as Blades fans hope for more of the same under Chris Wilder.

6 Jay Stansfield

Jay Stansfield's time at Birmingham City has been well-documented for several reasons, none more so than when he became the club's record-signing for an eight-figure sum last August.

The 22-year-old has developed a harsh outside reputation for being a player who only scores penalties, but he is way much more than that to Chris Davies' side.

Stansfield had already netted 12 goals for the club during their relegation season and hit a further 24 across all competitions last season as Blues broke several records.

Despite a minor injury in late August, the Exeter-born man had got off to yet another strong start in front of goal, and he will hope to silence the critics as the season progresses.

5 Isaac Price

At the midway point of this ranking is West Bromwich Albion's versatile figure, Isaac Price.

The former Everton man has proven to be a significant transfer coup following his £2.5m switch from Standard Liege in January, having the ability to feature in multiple deep and advanced positions.

Since the appointment of Ryan Mason, the 21-year-old has flourished in the 'number 10' role for the Baggies, already posting several composed finishes and assists, whilst also becoming the youngest-ever player in Northern Ireland history to reach the 10-goal mark.

It wouldn't be a surprise to see Premier League clubs interested in the ex-Everton man, particularly after Sunderland plotted a potential move late in the summer window.

4 Jaden Philogene

Jaden Philogene had previously lit up the Championship for Cardiff City and Hull City, and Ipswich Town fans will be hoping for more of the same following his recent hat-trick against Sheffield United.

The London-born man had been tipped for great things after excelling for the Tigers two seasons ago, yet that hasn't quite happened for Philogene, who found it tough in the Premier League after his return to Aston Villa and subsequent £20m move to Portman Road in January.

However, there is no denying that when on song, the 23-year-old has the capability to rip it up in the second-tier, with Kieran McKenna finally seeing the best of his ability after deploying him on the left flank over Jack Clarke against the Blades.

3 Hayden Hackney

Hayden Hackney has been the subject of long-standing Premier League interest for his composed performances in the Middlesbrough engine room, and that has only continued under the aforementioned Edwards.

Since being handed his breakthrough under Michael Carrick, Hackney has become an impressive, well-rounded midfielder capable of breaking up play before progressing the ball forward, as well as having the eye for an occasional spectacular strike or eye-catching assist.

It was reported that the 23-year-old was willing to leave his boyhood club should a top-flight club submit a significant enough offer in the latter days of the recent transfer window. However, to the surprise of many, he remains a Boro player for the time being and will look to continue aiding their impressive start to the season.

2 Jack Rudoni

Taking the runner-up spot in this ranking is Jack Rudoni of Coventry City, who is on the verge of signing a new 'bumper' contract at the CBS Arena.

The former Huddersfield Town man's £5m move last summer is looking to prove a real snip too, as not many of a Sky Blue persuasion could begrudge the playmaker of having the opportunity to feature in the Premier League for the first time in his career.

However, they, and Frank Lampard, will be delighted that the man who has already accumulated over 25 goal contributions for the club is hoping to achieve such a feat in the West Midlands despite strong interest from West Ham United, Fulham and Newcastle United.

However, Coventry's creator-in-chief has been pipped by Taylor Harwood-Bellis of Southampton, whose ability at this level cannot be understated.

The Manchester City academy product, unsurprisingly, has been such a composed and assuring figure in the second-tier during two previous promotion campaigns with the Saints and Burnley, before being the club's starring light in a dismal season last time out.

This was topped off by a goal on his senior England debut vs Ireland last November, and it's no surprise that West Ham wanted to keep him in the top-flight for the long run as they look to address their major defensive issues.