The EFL has forever been a feeder for the Premier League but as interest grows in England’s football pyramid, so has the quality on the pitch.
Throughout the EFL Championship, there are numerous players who could be ready for a step up. These players could be making that move as early as this summer.
Here’s three players who are all but ready for England’s topflight.
Borja Sainz
It appears that there is only a matter of time before Borja Sainz is picked up by a Premier League team, making him first on this list.
Sainz joined Norwich City in 2023 and after a slow start, has taken the
Championship by storm. In 2024-25, the Spaniard netted 18 times, alongside
creating four goals in his 41 appearances.
The 24-year-old would finish second in the race for top scorer despite only scoring
three time since January, displaying just how good his production was in the first half
of the season.
The tricky left-winger missed time in January for spitting at an opponent, something
Sainz has apologized for, labelling his behaviour “unacceptable”.
Despite his indiscretions, Sainz was one of the best players in the division, being
rewarded with a place in the team of the season. The player’s production, alongside
his aggressive play style make him a shoo-in for the Premier League, with
Nottingham Forest the favourite destination.
Michael Cooper
With James Trafford leaving the league with Burnley, there is no one close to
Michael Cooper in the conversation for best goalkeeper in the Championship.
After joining from Plymouth Argyle last summer, Cooper has been a main stay in the
Sheffield United side, being one of the team’s best performers.
In 2024-25, the 25 year-old kept 21 clean sheets, level in the league with Leeds United’s Ilian Meslier and joint third in the division.
The Exeter-born stopper joined the Blades with the goal of getting to the Premier
League but the South Yorkshire side fell short at the final hurdle.
Like a lot of United’s players, he will not be sort of top-flight suitors, with Cooper’s
ability speaking for himself, being a massive reason why the Blades got so close to
an immediate return.
The 25-year-old will not come cheap, being on a long-term contract but the Premier
League is where Cooper will end up, new boss Ruben Selles will be hoping it’s with
Sheffield United.
Finn Azaz
Middlesbrough’s Ireland international, Finn Azaz, is an attacking midfielder. He can use either foot to run past defenders and drop off a pass that leaves defenders in no man’s land.
In 2024-25, the 24-year-old was third in goal contributions, only behind two players that saw their teams promoted.
The midfielder began his career at Aston Villa but never made a top-flight appearance for the midlands side, instead he dropped down the divisions to earn his trade as a footballer.
In 2022-23, Azaz was an integral part of Plymouth Argyle’s then record-breaking promotion out of League One, before replicating that form in the Championship for the Cornwall side in the following season.
Middlesbrough failed to make the play-offs once again. This accumulated in Michael Carrick losing his job. With lots of uncertainty at the Riverside, could now be the time for Azaz to make the move?
