The most underrated player at every EFL Championship club named | OneFootball

FLW has looked at the main player from each Championship club who doesn't perhaps get the plaudits they deserve

With the Championship season almost at its conclusion, it is fair to say that several clubs and players have dominated headlines for their performances this season, for both good and bad reasons.

As is always the case in the second tier, this season has been full of drama at both ends of the table, with multiple clubs involved in the race for automatic promotion and the play-offs, as well as the battle to avoid an unwanted relegation to League One.

It is also a period of the season where some players and managers begin to receive recognition for their impressive contributions throughout the gruelling 46-game regular season, whether that be at club level or division-wide by winning awards.

However, it is fair to say that, whilst there have been multiple standout names in the Championship, this has potentially denied a multitude of players from earning the credit they deserve for their own performances.

And, with that being said, Football League World have named the most underrated player at each of the division's 24 clubs for the 2025/26 campaign.

Birmingham City - Paik Seung-ho

Getting this list underway is Birmingham City's South Korean midfielder, Paik Seung-ho.

It has been a disappointing campaign as a collective for Blues, with several of their new additions this season yet to win over supporters at St. Andrew's @ Knighthead Park.

However, Paik has been a consistent performer in this part of the West Midlands ever since his arrival in the winter of 2024, and has even added a handful of goal contributions to his game, despite being best known for his combativeness and steel in Chris Davies' midfield.

Blackburn Rovers - Ryoya Morishita

It has been a frustrating campaign also for Blackburn Rovers, but it's fair to say that Japanese winger, Ryoya Morishita can leave his head held high when it comes to his overall contribution.

After signing from Legia Warsaw for a reported £2m fee in August, the 29-year-old has provided a double-figure tally of goal contributions in his first season in the Championship.

Given Rovers' struggles for goals under both Valerien Ismael and Michael O'Neill, their position in the relegation battle could have been a whole not worse had they not pulled off this shrewd piece of business back in the summer.

Bristol City - Adam Randell

It has been a mixed campaign for Bristol City, but one player who has remained largely consistent despite not potentially always emerging with credit is Adam Randell.

After previously being an impressive performer at this level for Plymouth Argyle, the deep-lying midfielder moved to Ashton Gate on a four-year contract last June, and it has proven to be a smart piece of business.

Similarly to the aforementioned Paik, Randell has added goals to his game for the Robins on top of keeping play ticking over in the middle of the park and being his usual combative self, aspects which often go unnoticed within matches but are often key to earning positive results.

Charlton Athletic - Lloyd Jones

Charlton Athletic have certainly caused a handful of surprises this season, and that has certainly been aided by the fact that Lloyd Jones has remained so consistent at the heart of the Addicks' defence.

After being a part of last season's League One Team of the Season, the ex-Liverpool man has made over 550 defensive contributions for the South London side, winning over that number in terms of ground and aerial duels combined.

Nathan Jones has built his team's survival hopes on a solid defence, and his namesake has certainly been the key reason behind such success on that front.

Coventry City - Ellis Simms

Coventry City have been the standout team in this season's Championship, and it's fair to say that a handful of names could have been handed this accolade.

However, despite not starting potentially anywhere near as many games as he would have liked, the fact that Ellis Simms is still one of three strikers on Frank Lampard's books to have netted double-figures is still an impressive feat.

It does, though, remain to be seen if the former Everton man will be afforded regular minutes in the Premier League with the Sky Blues, or whether he will be allowed to leave the club for a new challenge.

Derby County - Rhian Brewster

Whilst Carlton Morris and Patrick Agyemang have grabbed the headlines for Derby County this season, Rhian Brewster has certainly proven his sceptics wrong at Pride Park under John Eustace.

After a mixed spell with Sheffield United after previously becoming the Blades' record signing, the 26-year-old has still managed to accrue a respectable tally of goals and assists for the East Midlands outfit despite starting in less than half a season's worth of Championship games.

Brewster's versatility has also been a key attribute, featuring as a left-winger on top of his natural centre-forward position.

Hull City - Regan Slater

Hull City have been the surprise package of the Championship season, fighting for a return to the Premier League under Sergej Jakirovic despite being hit with a transfer fee restriction in pre-season.

Therefore, a handful of players could have taken this award, but Regan Slater's performances at the MKM Stadium this season sees the midfielder pip his colleagues.

Last season, Slater was the subject of major criticism, but has bounced back to become a metronome in Jakirovic's midfield whilst also stepping up to the mark with plenty of goal contributions.

His importance has also been highlighted in recent games where the Tigers have missed his presence after an ankle issue picked up in March.

Ipswich Town - Christian Walton

Ipswich Town's most underrated player comes between the sticks, as Christian Walton has played a pivotal role for the Tractor Boys since replacing Alex Palmer following a serious injury in October.

Since then, the 30-year-old, who had previously been somewhat of a forgotten man at Portman Road, has already reached the double-figure mark in terms of clean sheets as Ipswich look to regain their top-flight status at the first time of asking.

It remains to be seen what the immediate future will be for Walton should they be promoted, but if they are, his contributions will not be forgotten any time soon.

Leicester City - Jannik Vestergaard

With Leicester City staring back-to-back relegations in the face, there aren't many players in line to be named as 'underrated' at the King Power Stadium.

However, it is fair to say that, when available, experienced Danish centre-back, Jannik Vestergaard has been one of the better performers in this part of the East Midlands under Marti Cifuentes, Andy King and Gary Rowett.

But, like with many of his teammates, there will be a huge question mark as to whether the 33-year-old would stick around in League One if relegation is to occur in the coming days.

Middlesbrough - Tommy Conway

Middlesbrough have had an intriguing season under both Rob Edwards and Kim Hellberg, with one major criticism, particularly of late, being a lack of firepower on display at the Riverside Stadium.

Despite that being understandable, Tommy Conway is, arguably, still the most underrated player on Boro's books, with the Scottish forward's contributions going under-the-radar.

The 23-year-old has outscored both David Strelec and Kaly Sene, and has provided a handful of assists, whilst his movement, both on and off the ball, has often caused issues for opposition defenders, as he is capable of stretching the pitch and receiving the ball in wide areas before looking to find target or pick out a teammate in a scoring position