Sunderland and Leeds United praised for making the ‘best signings’ in the Championship, they’ve been a ‘massive success’

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There are a number of outstanding players playing in the Championship right now, particularly at the top sides such as Leeds United and Sunderland.

The end of season run-in is upon us and there remains plenty to be decided, including the race for the play-offs and battle to survive, as well as automatic promotion.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	LeedsLeeds	38	23	11	4	76	25	51	80
2	Sheff UtdSheffield Utd	38	25	7	6	53	28	25	80
3	BurnleyBurnley	38	21	15	2	52	11	41	78
4	SunderlandSunderland	38	19	12	7	55	37	18	69
5	CoventryCoventry	38	17	8	13	55	48	7	59
6	West BromWest Brom	38	13	18	7	48	34	14	57

Leeds United, Sheffield United, and Burnley have pulled away at the top of the league, partly due to the quality in their Championship squads.

They will hope to win the glory and financial benefit of promotion from the Championship, but two clubs can thank star signings for their success.

• READ MORE: Leeds United warned they are ‘missing’ key thing this season, losing one player could cost them

Ao Tanaka and Wilson Isidor named as Championship’s best signings in 2024/25

Numerous players that are currently lighting up the Championship were only signed during the summer transfer window. Of course, recruitment is never easy to nail completely, but some additions have made more of an impression to others.

That is particularly down to the price paid for them, with Not The Top 20’s George Elek naming two particular bargains for Leeds and Sunderland that have stood out. He spoke via The Guardian Football Weekly podcast’s EFL special to explain his thoughts.

He said: “In Ao Tanaka, they’ve got one of the best signings any Championship club have made in a long time, along with Wilson Isidor.

“A player they signed from Fortuna Düsseldorf for next to nothing who is probably the best centre midfielder in the Championship.

“Who, in terms of his on-ball quality and also his goal scoring threat, has been a massive success.”

• READ MORE: ‘The best’ – EFL experts pile praise on Burnley amid warning to Leeds United and Sheffield United

The cost of Ao Tanaka and Wilson Isidor is remarkable — they are worth far more now

Leeds fans are backing Tanaka for the Championship’s Player of the Year award this season, although Michael Cooper and James Trafford have excelled and deserve mentions for their respective teams.

Meanwhile, Isidor is someone Sunderland are desperate to retain for as long as possible, especially having lost so many impressive strikers previously. He could be vital to their promotion bid in May during the play-offs.

French outlet Sportune have revealed the price to buy Isidor ended up being closer to £5 million and slightly higher than the £3.5 million which was initially reported. However, Tanaka could be the even bigger bargain. The Japanese international cost approximately £3 million, per The Athletic.

The Whites and Sunderland can expect a sizeable return on their investment this summer, should either look to cash in. You imagine that both would fetch over £20 million at least, if not more.