With one month until the January transfer window, Premier League clubs often come sniffing around the Championship looking for the next great talent. The Championship always has several players who appear ready to step up. Who could those potential players be? Here are five that might fit that billing.
Championship Stars Capable of Playing in the Premier League
Hayden Hackney
An energetic presence in a talented Middlesbrough FC midfield, Hayden Hackney has often been linked to Premier League clubs in the last couple of years. Hackney’s tireless work ethic and willingness to be aggressive on offence and defence has reportedly turned many heads.
Hackney is often found getting forward and finding a key pass to attack the opposition’s goal. Hackney’s aggressiveness also applies defensively as he is not afraid to make a hard challenge and win the ball back. He often helps spring counters and is seen resolutely running at defences. This season he has two goals and an assist In the Championship playing from a deep-lying midfield role.
Middlesbrough FC have been firm that they have no interest in selling their local product phenom as they are contending for a promotion. However, if the right bid came along, a fiery young talent like Hackney could instantly improve any Premier League side, especially with the right guidance and coaching.
Wilfried Gnonto
Wilfried Gnonto arrived at Leeds United from FC Zurich in 2022 and is part of a squad that is currently one of the best in the Championship. The twenty-one-year-old striker has been a huge part of a Leeds United attack that is often quite feared. Last year he was somewhat overshadowed by Crysencio Summerville, the reigning Championship player of the season, but this year he already has a third of the goals he scored in total in 2023/24.
Gnonto is a speed demon who combines his speed with silky-smooth athleticism and ball-handling skills. It is often quite rare to find a combination of raw talent and technical ability in one striker, but Gnonto is exactly that. Often fearless, he strives to be a constant threat to the opposition’s defence.
During the last transfer window, Gnonto had offers from such clubs as Everton, but he ultimately turned them down. Ultimately, that decision has benefitted Leeds United, but it will surely not stop Premier League clubs from trying again to procure the impressive young striker’s signature.
Tom Fellows
Tom Fellows is an incredibly exciting talent who currently plays for West Bromwich Albion. In his winger/attacking midfield role, the English under-21 international has been nothing but sensational for the Baggies. Often enthralling with his quick pace and brilliant technical skills which include the ability to flick on deadly balls to spur on his side’s attack. Fellows has contributed seven assists to a West Bromwich Albion attack that features the second-leading scorer in the Championship, Josh Maja.
While he may not be a household name, Premier League clubs would be wise to keep an eye on the star. His recent call-up to the England under-21 squad shows he is starting to at least get recognition on an international level. If his level of performance keeps up, West Bromwich Albion will be finding it hard to keep Fellows at the club.
Anthony Patterson
Sunderland’s first-choice goalkeeper has been one of the key reasons behind their impressive start to the campaign. Anthony Patterson is one of the best young keepers in the division. Combining agility, strength, and quick feet, the twenty-four-year-old Englishman has kept seven clean sheets this season. In his fourteen starts, Patterson has saved thirty out of forty shots he’s faced.
Thus, it is no wonder there are rumours that the likes of Tottenham Hotspur are keenly interested in the services of Patterson to replace their injured goalkeeper, Gugliemo Vicario. Vicario has reportedly picked up a serious injury, and Tottenham may seek a replacement for the Italian.
Patterson is certainly a good choice. It would be a huge step up for the Sunderland star, but Tottenham would be a good place to develop. Sunderland might not be okay with selling such a huge part of their defence, but it is certainly a situation to monitor going forward for a player that certainly will continue to generate Premier League interest.
Josh Sargent
Whilst Josh Sargent has been overshadowed by the current Championship Golden Boot leader, Borja Sainz, he is certainly not a name to be taken lightly in terms of a move to the Premier League. Often the head of a very dangerous Norwich City attack, Sargent thrived last season.
Unfortunately, Sargent suffered a groin injury that will keep him out for eight or so weeks. However, before that, the American international scored four goals and contributed five assists in all competitions.
Once he has recovered from this injury, which will be some time at the beginning of January, Sargent will surely attract much interest. Since quality strikers such as Sargent are often in short supply during a transfer window, so it will certainly be a situation to keep an eye on. Norwich City will surely be reluctant to sell Sargent unless a good bid comes in, but Sargent has become a talent way bigger than the Championship.