The top 25 best EFL Championship players this season according to data | OneFootball

FLW has looked at which players are the second tier's top performers based off numbers

The Championship season is almost over, and, once again, the second tier has lived up to its usual stereotypes of drama and chaos at both ends of the table.

Of course, there is still plenty to be decided in terms of the promotion picture, both automatically, and then who will emerge victorious in the play-offs and join the newly-crowned Championship champions, Coventry City, in next season's Premier League.

Meanwhile, whilst all of Oxford United, Leicester City and Sheffield Wednesday have been relegated to League One in testing circumstances, some of their players have still emerged with credit.

Indeed, the recent EFL Awards also sparked plenty of widespread debate as to which players should have potentially received the plaudits they missed out on, especially when taking certain factors into account.

Of course, whilst they don't determine everything, statistics have become a strong barometer to help determine success and failure on many levels in the modern game, and with that said, FLW have looked at the 25 best-performing players in this season's Championship, as per WhoScored, to have featured at least 25 times this season.

25 ? ? Jimmy Dunne - Queens Park Rangers

Kickstarting this list is Queens Park Rangers' versatile defender, Jimmy Dunne, who has an average rating of 7.04.

The Irishman has been a consistently impressive performer at Loftus Road in recent times, which saw him rewarded with a new contract in June 2025 ahead of Julien Stephan's first season in charge.

As well as featuring across the R's defence, Dunne can certainly help provide an attacking and creative threat, either on the ball or from set-pieces.

24 ? ? Liam Kitching - Coventry City

Next up is Coventry centre-back, Liam Kitching, who is the first of four players to receive a 7.05 average rating.

The 26-year-old has become a mainstay in the Sky Blues defence this season, and has earned a spot on this list despite not always receiving his flowers in what has still been one of the division's most watertight rearguards.

However, it remains to be seen how much action the defender will be handed in the Premier League under Frank Lampard.

23 ? ? Matt Grimes - Coventry City

It may surprise plenty to see fellow Coventry man and club captain, Matt Grimes, feature so low on this list, given how influential he has been at the CBS Arena since arriving from Swansea City last January.

The 30-year-old's experience, ability to dictate games and overall leadership have been key elements that haven't gone unnoticed by outsiders as the Sky Blues coasted to the title, as he was named in the Championship's Team of the Season.

22 ? ? Abdul Fatawu - Leicester City

Although Leicester have been relegated to League One for the first time in 17 years, Ghanaian winger, Abdul Fatawu, has earned a place on this list for his individual contributions.

After starring in the Foxes' title-winning season two years ago, the 22-year-old has still been able to post over 15 goal contributions, with one of those being a stunning strike from 65 yards against Ipswich Town in December.

Given Leicester's concerning financial situation, it is expected Fatawu will move on this summer, with Premier League sides still credited with recent interest.

21 ? ? Rob Dickie - Bristol City

The final player with a 7.05 average rating is Rob Dickie of Bristol City.

Although his club haven't been able to build on a first play-off campaign since 2008 last term, the 30-year-old has continued to impress with several important defensive contributions under both Gerhard Struber and Roy Hodgson.

As such, it would be no surprise to see the defender's importance continue to shine under the club's next permanent manager, who looks set to be named in the coming weeks.

20 ? ? Imran Louza - Watford

Moving into the top 20, we have Watford's influential captain, Imran Louza.

The Moroccan has enjoyed his most productive campaign at Vicarage Road this season, even though the Hornets have continued to chop and change in the dugout.

Although the contributions haven't flown as much as a 10-game period in which six goals and three assists were posted between September and November, Watford may face a losing battle to retain their star man, with FLW exclusively revealing interest from Everton and Fulham in his services.

19 ? ? Japhet Tanganga - Sheffield United

It has been a season of inconsistency for Sheffield United this time around, but Japhet Tanganga has certainly impressed since arriving at Bramall Lane for an initial fee of between £7m and £8m.

The 27-year-old previously attracted Premier League suitors after impressing for Millwall beforehand, and the defender has continued to show exactly why that was the case through several rock-solid defensive showings on an individual basis, even if United have shipped over 60 goals this term.

18 ? ? Nat Phillips - West Bromwich Albion

Another centre-back is next up, even though Nat Phillips' first season as a West Bromwich Albion player hasn't exactly been straightforward.

That said, under three different permanent or interim head coaches, the former Liverpool man has been one of the club's most consistent performers, particularly under James Morrison, whose philosophy made the Baggies much tougher to break down, as well as more clinical in front of goal on route to survival despite a points' deduction.

17 ? ? Jordan Storey - Preston North End

Preston North End's season has been one of two halves, but Jordan Storey has certainly continued to be one of the more underrated players in the division at Deepdale.

The 28-year-old has started over 40 matches for the Lilywhites this season while posting a handful of goals and assists, and it will certainly please supporters in Lancashire that he is tied down to a contract for a further two years at this moment in time.

16 ? ? Ryan Manning - Southampton

In 16th place is Southampton's creative full-back, Ryan Manning, who has posted a double-figure tally of goal contributions in over 40 outings this season.

That is despite the fact that, especially during Will Still's reign, the Irish international was the subject of criticism, much like the rest of his teammates, who were viewed as major underachievers at that point of the campaign.

However, his output has significantly improved under Tonda Eckert as Saints eye an immediate return to the Premier League.