The Championship is a league full of players vying to make the step up to the very top of the football pyramid.
Despite being one of the toughest leagues in world football, every year, a few players stand out as being a cut above. Whether they’re Premier League stars dropping down, young talents on the rise, or experienced internationals, some feel almost too good for the second tier.
In this piece, we’ll look at the names who are just too good and should be destined for a step up to a top division in Europe.
Players Too Good For The Championship – Gustavo Hamer
It’s a wonder how Sheffield United kept hold of their midfield maestro this summer.
When in the Premier League, Hamer picked up four goals and six assists, really impressive numbers for a team that finished rock bottom.
A technical playmaker, Hamer could do extremely well in a side that keeps more possession than the Blades side of 2023/24 did – a team that had the lowest average possession in the Premier League (35.5%).
Players Too Good For The Championship – Jens Cajuste
After Jens Cajuste’s loan to Ipswich last season, a permanent move to a top division side would have made a lot of sense.
An effective midfielder with a decent all-around game, Cajuste really suits the physical side that the Premier League poses, but will have to focus on the second tier for now…
The Swede has returned to Ipswich on a loan deal, with an obligation to buy if the Blues achieve promotion from the Championship this season.
Players Too Good For The Championship – Hayden Hackney
Hayden Hackney received considerable transfer interest this summer, including from Premier League clubs such as West Ham.
A key cog in the Middlesbrough team that currently sits at the peak of England’s second tier. Hackney is a star at the Riverside Stadium, where he came through the youth ranks.
It looks like a matter of time before a big move materialises for the young playmaker, who wasn’t permitted to leave Middlesbrough after Finn Azaz’s exit. If Middlesbrough can continue their great start, maybe he’ll end up in England’s top flight anyway!
Players Too Good For The Championship – Abdul Fatawu
The fact that Abdul Fatawu is still at Leicester City is mental. Arguably the best player in the Championship, it’s a huge surprise that the Ghanaian didn’t find a top division move following the Foxes’ relegation this summer.
An injury-hit season meant Fatawu couldn’t showcase his ability in the top flight last season, so he’ll be desperate to lead his teammates to promotion this time around.
Players Too Good For The Championship – Taylor Harwood-Bellis
Taylor Harwood-Bellis scored on his England debut last season, but now he’s back in the Championship after Southampton’s miserable relegation from the Premier League.
Many at the South Coast club expected the ball-playing defender to depart for the top flight this transfer window, but Harwood-Bellis has stuck around for the promotion dogfight. One way or another, he’ll surely be in the top flight somewhere this time next year.
Players Too Good For The Championship – Jacob Greaves
Ipswich’s Jacob Greaves didn’t look out of place in the Premier League last season, and if part of a better overall setup, could excel.
Another centre-back who struggled in a poor top division team, Greaves won six duels per 90 in the Premier League. Ipswich may have just conceded a few more without his presence.
Players Too Good For The Championship – Josh Sargent
Josh Sargent scores goals for fun in the Championship. So, a move to a top league in Europe just makes sense. While it’s unclear whether he’d compete well in the Premier League at the second time of asking, a smaller step up to a division such as the Bundesliga could be a smart move.
Sargent has played in Germany before, striking impressive numbers with Werder Bremen before his move to Norwich in 2021. He could very well do a decent shift there again!
At some point, most of these players listed should naturally find their way to a top European league. In football, quality always comes through!
Who do you think will be making the step up first?
