The Championship, for years, has been a breeding ground for talent. Whether it is young players on loan from Premier League clubs or clubs developing, there has always been talent in the Championship. This season has been no different. Plenty of players are impressing clubs in the Premier League. Here are five players who could easily make the step up.
Who Can Make The Step Up From The Championship?
Bradley Dack
For the past few seasons, the Blackburn midfielder has attracted interest from clubs at a higher level. Playing as an attacking midfielder, Dack is often key. Last January he attracted interest from Cardiff, Middlesborough and several other Championship clubs. In the summer, he was linked to a £20 million to West Brom but Blackburn stayed firm. Their reluctance seems to be paying off.
So far this season, Dack has seven goals in all competitions, an impressive tally for an attacking midfielder. It is not just this season that Dack has been a vital part of the side he plays for. Last season, he scored 18 goals as Blackburn were promoted back to the Championship. After comfortably making the step up from League One to the Championship, he should be able to go one step further.
Neal Maupay
Maupay is currently the top scorer in the Championship with 11 goals. The Frenchman moved to Brentford in 2017 and has been impressive in both of his seasons at Griffin Park. With only 13 goals last season, he is looking likely to succeed that total this season.
Described as a fox-in-the-box striker, he easily has the potential to play at a higher level. He would suit a team that uses a poacher in front of goal, such as Crystal Palace. Two strikers up front for Palace would be more suitable than their current predicament up front. However, for Palace and any other Premier League side, price may be an issue.
Dael Fry
Fry is highly rated by both Middlesborough and England, as he is now a staple of both sides’ back line. Tony Pulis has said that Fry can be “as good as he wants”, showing that his manager is willing to put the faith into his young centre-back.
A ball-playing centre-back, one Boro fan likened him to ex-England captain John Terry, describing him as a natural leader. While he may lack maturity and experience – having made only 30 appearances for Boro – he will gather more experience as he plays more. He has the potential to go to the very top.
Harvey Barnes
Although on loan from Leicester City, the midfielder is yet to feature for them regularly in the Premier League. He only made is debut in April as a 91st-minute substitute. He was out on loan to West Brom in the summer and so far has been a great success in the Championship.
Five goals and three assists so far this season appears an impressive return considering it is his first full season in the Championship. Even in his six months at Barnsley last season, he had five goals before he was recalled by Leicester. Many believe that game time he is earning at The Hawthorns is proving valuable and are hoping he stays with the Baggies. If he stays the full length of his loan spell then he could be a valuable commodity for Leicester next season.
Jack Marriott
24-year-old Marriott’s rise to the Championship has certainly been interesting. Nine clubs and six loans later and he has found himself at Derby County. It was last season that Marriott rose to fame, scoring 27 goals as Peterborough finished ninth in League One. That earned him his move to Pride Park and starting place under Frank Lampard.
Very much a poacher in front of goal, he sits on the shoulder of the last man and pounces on any mistakes. He would be useful striker for many of the teams in the bottom half of the Premier League. Crystal Palace were linked to him in the summer for a £6.5 million fee. If he continues to impress in the Championship, then Derby could demand a much higher fee.
These are just some of the players that could make the move up to the Premier League. It certainly is an exciting time to be a fan of a Championship club.
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