The 10 Championship Stars The Premier League Should Be Looking At
Blogs

The 10 Championship Stars The Premier League Should Be Looking At

The 10 Championship Stars The Premier League Should Be Looking At

The Championship might be falling further behind the Premier League in quality — but when it comes to raw talent, it remains one of Europe’s most fertile breeding grounds.

So let's take a look at the breakout players from 2024/25 who have shown genuine Premier League potential.

10) Tyler Goodrham – Oxford United

A busy, fearless winger with a low centre of gravity, Tyler Goodrham has established a reputation as someone who thrives in one-on-one situations and looks to take on defenders at every opportunity.

He averaged 3.7 take-ons per 90 and ranked in the top five percent for successful dribbles in the league. He remains somewhat raw in the final third, but contains the kind of directness that Premier League coaches love to refine.

The Irish youngster is currently tipped to be bound for another Championship club this summer, but he looks well set to make the jump to the top flight before long.

9) Alfie Gilchrist – Sheffield United

Chelsea loanee Alfie Gilchrist’s first full season in senior football was spent battling at Bramall Lane, and he looked comfortable in the Championship. Strong in duels, tidy on the ball, and with the versatility to play in a back three or at full-back, his underlying numbers suggest a player who could step up.

An 80% success rate when defending one-on-one dribbles show his defensive instincts are sharp. With the right move, he could be a regular squad player in the Premier League within a year.

As 'pure profit' under the Premier League's PSR rules, Gilchrist is strongly linked with moves away from Stamford Bridge this summer. But with his powerhouse nature and growing versatility, he will surely be playing in the top flight in the coming seasons.

8) Brenden Aaronson – Leeds United

Anyone who watched Jesse March's Leeds stumble towards relegation in 2022/23 may remember a babyfaced, curly-haired American midfielder who occasionally shown glimpses of ability - but always demonstrated bags of energy.

Last season, Aaronson ranked in the top 8% for shot-creating actions with 2.74 per 90, top 18% for final third touches with 23.34 per 90, and in the top 13% for pass completion with 80%.

The now 23-year-old didn't excel in any one category for the Whites last season, but his ever-presence in each of Leeds' 46 league games is testament enough to his consistency.

With Leeds re-emerging in the Premier League, the American could use the coming campaign to establish himself or, should he be drawn away from Elland Road, he could become a very useful asset at a club that values high energy and quick transitions. If Bournemouth's ranks are raided over the summer, Aaronson could become an option.

7) Chris Rigg – Sunderland

It's a true testament to Sunderland that Jobe Bellingham wasn't the only teenager to feature in their midfield last season. Nor was he the youngest. Nor did he play the most.

Chris Rigg turned 18 just this week, yet made 42 appearances in the league in 2024/25.

The young winger picked up 4 goals and 1 assist for his troubles, but more notable is the defensive work he has done in Sunderland's 4-4-2: an out of possession shape which has become very common amongst Premier League clubs.

Having said that, Rigg looks set to stay at Sunderland for his Premier League debut next season.

6) Harrison Burrows – Sheffield United

It's no secret that Harrison Burrows has become one of the best attacking left-backs in the EFL. A powerful full back in an offensive sense, Burrows picked up 5 goals and 3 assists for Sheffield United last campaign. 

It's worth noting that he is the Blades' penalty taker, but his underlying figures are just as impressive.

He ranked in the top 6% for crosses per 90, the top 7% for shot-creating actions per 90 and has consistently created chances from deep. He's not exactly elite defensively, but increasingly polished and confident on the ball. With Milos Kerkez seemingly Anfield-bound, Burrows could be a potential suitor for Bournemouth's next left-back.

5) Tom Fellows – West Bromwich Albion

West Brom's left-footed right winger boasts 14 league assists and 4 goals across 45 league appearances last season. The 21-year-old became the Baggies' main creative outlet and was positioned accordingly. The Englishman ranked in the top 6% for progressive passes received and progressive carries per 90, as well as being in the top 10% for both key passes and crosses into the penalty area per 90.

This is all indicative of Fellows' ability to be an outlet who is able to progress an attack further - often finding the line-breaking pass.

Considering this direct style, the winger could appeal to both Crystal Palace or Nottingham Forest over the summer.

4) James Trafford – Burnley

The only reason James Trafford isn't higher on this list is because he's a goalkeeper. Burnley's imperious shotstopper is arguably England's biggest goalkeeping prospect of the past fifteen years and, despite the Clarets being promoted, they might struggle to hold onto their star 'keeper this summer.

Trafford has, of course, already had a fair taste of England's top-flight, as part of the Burnley side that was relegated under Vincent Kompany in 2024. His poor form in that season eventually saw him lose his place to Aro Muric, a fellow Manchester City academy graduate, but the youngster has more than redeemed himself promise-wise with his second-tier showings last term.

Newcastle are reportedly very interested in the 22-year-old, with his 29 clean sheets and remarkable run since the turn of the year catching the Magpies' eye.

3) Callum Doyle – Norwich City

If someone asked Pep Guardiola to draw up his perfect young centre back, he'd probably produce something not too dissimilar to what Callum Doyle has become on loan at Norwich this season.

And lucky for Pep, Doyle is already his.

Top 2% for pass completion in the league. Top 5% for progressive passes per 90. Top 1% for touches per 90 and top 2% for carries per 90.

At 21, Doyle is a commander of the Norwich defence. Last season was essential for his development with the testing, physical nature of the Championship forcing the Englishman to grow and develop.

With Manchester City's impressive squad depth, it'll likely be a while before we see Doyle playing consistently in the Premier League. But keep an eye out for him.

2) Ben Doak – Middlesbrough

Back in August 2023, Ben Doak played thirteen minutes against Chelsea in the Premier League. You'd be forgiven for not knowing that: he touched the ball six times and hasn't played in the top flight since.

But the teenager made 21 starts for Middlesbrough in the league this season, on loan from the Reds - before picking up a season-ending injury at the halfway stage.

Before that, Doak had established himself as a dynamic winger happy to drive in possession but also to find incisive passes. He picked up 3 goals and 7 assists before his injury.

He is set to return to Liverpool as things stand, but it's rumoured that a 'pure profit' sale could be in order, and the Scotsman has reportedly been named David Moyes' "number one" target for Everton this summer. It's not like he was going to supersede Mohammed Salah anyway.

1) Wilfried Gnonto – Leeds United

Willy Gnonto was, without a doubt, the Championship's headline youngster last season (perhaps aside from Bellingham). With Leeds' promotion, the powerful Italian winger could be set to impress in the Premier League for the second time.

Now 21 and more experienced than his last venture into the top flight, Gnonto has become versatile in attack - happy to drive, pass and dominate penalty boxes with an assurance he didn't have when he was a teenager.

Premier League clubs will be aware of his talent - and wary of it if he stays at Leeds - but he would also be a great addition to some of their ranks if he can be prised away from Elland Road. Perhaps as the new Talisman at Wolves? Or as a Jacob Murphy contingency at Newcastle?

With Leeds and Sunderland on the rise, and clubs like Norwich and Middlesbrough nurturing elite loans, the Championship is still doing what it does best: building the stars Premier League clubs love to buy. You might not see all ten names above in the top flight this August - but give it a year or two.

Stats via FBref and percentiles based on all players from the 2024/25 Championship season.

Benji Kosartiyer
Journalist
Charlie Partridge

Content Creator

Videos
See more
From Non-League to the AFCON Final - The Story of Kwesi Appiah
Listen to our full podcast with Kwesi Appiah as he discusses his sensational rise from non-league all the way to starting in the AFCON final.
Is it time for Luton Town to make THE DECISION?!
Watch out latest edition of EFL Hot Takes as the lads give their opinion on the Rob Edwards situation at Luton Town.
WHO is in our Championship TEAM OF THE SEASON so far?!
Find out how we would put in our Championship Team of the Season so far on YouTube as we approach the busy period.

Join our newsletter

Become a part of our community and never miss an update from Football Park.