Deciding which of the 24 EFL Championship clubs are a sleeping giant and which are not | OneFootball

FLW have decided which Championship sides are sleeping giants

Throughout the EFL Championship, there are teams who have experienced varying levels of success during their respective histories.

Some have competed at the highest level of English football in recent times, whilst others have had to climb up the Football League’s lower tiers.

Out of the 24 clubs in the second-tier, some could be described as 'sleeping giants', who should be achieving greater success than they currently are.

Football League World have attempted to go through each team in the division and decide whether they fit that bill or not.

Birmingham City – Yes

Given Birmingham City’s location and current ownership status, it feels like only a matter of time before they move on to better things.

With lofty ambitions in the EFL Championship, Blues will no doubt be competing in the Premier League in the next few years.

Blackburn Rovers – Yes

Blackburn Rovers have achieved great success throughout their history, including three top-flight titles and six FA Cups.

Therefore, there is no doubt that the East Lancashire outfit are a sleeping giant and should be competing at a higher level based on their past triumphs.

Bristol City – No

Bristol City have been a stable Championship club for a decade now, and that feels like an adequate level for the club to be competing at.

The Robins have never clinched a major honour in their history, so it wouldn’t be fair to label them a sleeping giant at this moment in time.

Charlton Athletic – No

Although Charlton Athletic have enjoyed top-flight status in the past, they don’t quite qualify as a sleeping giant.

The Addicks have spent a large amount of their recent history in the third-tier, so it wouldn’t be reasonable to suggest that they have much greater fortunes currently ahead of them.

Coventry City – Yes

Coventry City have been a club on the up over the past few years, but it feels like they are capable of much more than they are currently achieving.

The Sky Blues’ stadium facilities and ambitious ownership could easily see them operate out of the top-flight, but it is yet to be seen whether they can make that transition.

Derby County – Yes

Derby County have an extremely rich history, which includes winning two top-flight league titles and the FA Cup.

With a huge fanbase to match, the Rams should be fighting much higher up the English footballing ladder and could eventually be a real force to be reckoned with.

Hull City – No

Hull City have competed in the top-flight throughout their recent history, but don’t qualify for the tag of sleeping giant at this moment in time.

Despite possessing a large supporter base and modern facilities, the Tigers haven’t done enough in the past to suggest that they should be playing at a higher level.

Ipswich Town – Yes

Ipswich Town have shown signs of realising their potential in recent years, with promotion to the Premier League in 2024 a step in the right direction.

Given their history of winning league titles and European honours, the Tractor Boys are definitely sleeping giants who should be regularly competing in the top-flight.

Leicester City – Yes

Leicester City have operated out of the top-flight recently, but their Premier League triumph in 2016 and subsequent European campaigns qualify them for sleeping giant status.

Given the level they performed at for much of the past decade, the Foxes shouldn’t be competing in the second-tier of English football for the second time in three seasons.

Middlesbrough – Yes

Middlesbrough regularly enjoyed top-flight status during the 90s and 200s, a time period which also saw them compete for domestic and continental honours.

Boro have the fanbase and stadium to get back to that level, and will hope it isn’t too long until they reclaim their place in the Premier League.

Millwall – No

Millwall have solid supporters and are well-known for their committed displays from the terraces.

However, the Lions haven’t competed higher than the second-tier since 1990, so it’s hard to argue that they are a sleeping giant.

Norwich City – Yes

Norwich City have spent a large portion of their history competing between the top-flight and second-tier, but they just slip into the category of a sleeping giant.

Given their large supporter base in Norfolk and history of League Cup success, the Canaries have everything at their disposal to perform in the Premier League regularly.

Oxford United – No

Oxford United have spent much of their history competing in the EFL’s lower regions, so it isn’t unfair to say they aren’t sleeping giants.

The U’s are currently doing a great job competing in the second-tier, with the 2025/26 campaign just their second at this level in the 21st century.

Portsmouth – Yes

Portsmouth enjoy a massive fanbase, a unique ground and a proud history which features two top-flight titles and two FA Cups.

After spending much of their recent history in the lower tiers of the Football League, there is no doubt that Pompey are sleeping giants waiting to get back to the top.

Preston North End – No

It could be argued that Preston North End have a strong case for being sleeping giants, due to their rich history, which features top-flight and FA Cup honours.

However, it has been 64 years since they last competed in the top-flight, which means that there just can’t be a way to justify their inclusion in this age.

Queens Park Rangers – No

Queens Park Rangers are another club that have enjoyed regular football above the second-tier level in the past, but just don’t quite qualify as a sleeping giant.

Rangers have spent most of their recent history in the Championship and haven’t shown much to suggest why they will be a force to be reckoned with in the future.

Sheffield United – No

Sheffield United aren’t a sleeping giant because they have competed in the Premier League regularly in recent times.

The Blades haven’t clinched a major honour for 100 years, so they don’t have enough justification to suggest that merely Premier League status isn’t enough for a club of their status.

Sheffield Wednesday – Yes

Sheffield Wednesday, unlike their city rivals, haven’t featured in the top-flight during their modern history despite enjoying a status as one of English football’s biggest historical clubs.

The Owls’ last campaign in the Premiership came in 2000, which is almost unbelievable for a side of their stature.

Southampton – No

Much like Sheffield United, Southampton have experienced their fair share of Premier League football in recent times.

The Saints will no doubt be in the hunt to reclaim that status in the next few years, but they haven’t been outside of the division long enough to qualify as a sleeping giant.

Stoke City – Yes

Stoke City were Premier League regulars in the not-too-distant past and have an enormously wealthy backing in the form of the Coates family.

The Potters have everything they need behind the scenes to consistently feature in the top-flight once again, but must continue making smart footballing decisions.

Swansea City – No

Swansea City are another side who have enjoyed top-flight football in the 21st century, but for the majority of their history, have competed in the EFL.

Although the Swans have a decent fanbase and facilities, it is hard to argue that they are sleeping giants.

Watford – No

Watford have the stature and history to operate at a higher level than the Championship, but they have achieved that task regularly over the past 15 years.

Although they are currently on an extended break from Premier League football, the Hornets haven’t been away long enough to qualify as sleeping giants.

West Brom – Yes

One of English Football’s founding fathers, West Brom have won the top-flight title and five FA Cups during their history but haven’t competed at the highest level for far too long.

With a large supporter base and such a rich history, the Baggies are sleeping giants who under the right leadership, could become a force to be reckoned with once more.

Wrexham – Yes

Wrexham have bulldozed their way through the EFL’s lower tiers in recent years, and it feels like only a matter of time before they arrive in the top-flight.

With their Hollywood ownership and global fanbase, Wrexham could soon become one of British football’s leading contenders.