Burnley
Blackburn Rovers
Coventry City
Derby County
Leeds United
Luton Town
Middlesbrough
Millwall
Norwich City
Portsmouth
Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield United
QPR
We love watching the action unfold in the second tier. There’s so much talent in the division that we’re spoilt for choice when putting together our list of the best players in the Championship.
Anyone who watches the Championship knows this league is just as exciting, competitive, and stacked full of top players as any of Europe’s strongest leagues.
You only have to look at the thrilling 2024/25 season to see how special the second tier is. The 2025/26 Championship campaign could be even more exciting, and there are tonnes of top class players in the league once again.
There’s so much money flowing around the league, with over £320m spent by Championship clubs this summer alone. Clubs are able to attract fantastic players from across Europe, while others simply have incredible academies churning out superstars.
So, we decided to come up with a list of the best players in the Championship at the moment. With so many to choose from, that’s easier said than done.
The best players in the Championship for 2025/26
20. Isaac Price – West Brom
They may have lost Tom Fellows this summer, but West Brom have a new star boy to call their own. Isaac Price has been magnificent for Northern Ireland and has started the season on fire for the Baggies. Price is already attracting Premier League interest, and if he keeps up his current form he will be in the top flight in no time.
19. Shea Charles – Southampton
After spending the season on loan with Sheffield Wednesday in 2024/25, Shea Charles was destined to be a first-team star for Southampton. It’s unfortunate for him, then, that the Saints are in the second tier now as he’s undoubtedly Premier League quality. But, it does give him another chance to prove himself as one of the best players in the Championship, and he will be the linchpin of the midfield at St. Mary’s this term.
18. Carlton Morris – Derby County
The Rams made a lot of signings this summer, but Derby County’s key addition was Carlton Morris. He’s an old-school forward who simply knows how to score goals and cause a nuisance for opponents, as he proved early on in the 2025/26 campaign. Derby have been crying out for a player like this for years, and he will surely be involved in the Golden Boot race this term.
17. Max Cleworth – Wrexham
Love them or hate them, it’s very exciting to have Wrexham in the second tier. They spent big this summer, but truth be told, their best player is a boy who’s been plying his trade for the Red Dragons for years. Max Cleworth was the best defender in League One last season, and he’s now got a chance to prove himself in the Championship. Physical, composed, and brilliant going forward, this lad has got it all.
16. Richard Kone – QPR
It’s been inevitable that we would see Richard Kone in the Championship since early last season when he was banging in goals for Wycombe Wanderers. It was a bit of a surprise to see him join QPR, but fans are delighted with the signing of Kone, and he’s hit the ground running since stepping up to the second tier. There are few better natural goalscorers in the division.
- READ MORE: The five biggest Championship transfer deadline day deals that never happened this summer
15. Jordan James – Leicester City
Leicester City signed Jordan James on deadline day, and if he lives up to the immense hype around him, he could end up being one of the signings of the summer. The former Birmingham City boy is a dynamic and intelligent midfielder who reads the game wonderfully and can spray the ball around from the middle of the park. He’s a class act and a joy to watch.
14. Sindre Walle Egeli – Ipswich Town
Ask Graeme Bailey and he’ll tell you Ipswich Town bagged the signing of the summer with Sindre Walle Egeli. The young Norwegian winger was brought in to replace Omari Hutchinson, costing a Championship record fee of just over £17m. There’s a lot of pressure on the 19-year-old, but he’s got the talent to rise to it and prove he’s Premier League quality.
13. Finn Azaz – Southampton
If we’re looking purely at attacking returns, no one came close to Finn Azaz last season, with 12 goals and 11 assists for Middlesbrough in 2024/25. Azaz joined Southampton for £12m this summer, which could end up being a bargain if he delivers similar numbers again this term. He was one of the best players in the Championship last year, now he needs to do it all again.
12. Leif Davis – Ipswich Town
While Ipswich Town may suffer for losing Liam Delap and Omari Hutchinson this summer, the fact they kept hold of Leif Davis is a big deal. He is now one of the best full-backs in the Championship, offering defensive stability and plenty of creativity going forward, too. Davis will surely be back in the Premier League next year, whether it’s with Ipswich or not.
11. Ethan Galbraith – Swansea City
Swansea City are hardly a team brimming with star quality, but their acquisition of Ethan Galbraith this summer was very shrewd indeed. The Northern Irish ace was far too good for League One, and a £1.5m deal (as per the BBC) was an absolute bargain for the Swans. His ball-playing ability, vision, and bite in the midfield elevate Alan Sheehan’s team substantially, and if they are to be successful this season, Galbraith will be at the heart of it all.
- READ MORE: Every Championship club’s summer net spend after £110m Southampton sales and Wrexham spending spree
10. Jay Stansfield – Birmingham City
There is a great deal of pressure on the young shoulders of Jay Stansfield due to the reported £15m fee Birmingham City paid for him. He proved that price tag wasn’t invalid by bagging 24 goals last season as the Blues raced to the League One title. Now, he has to show he can do it in the second tier. Based on Stansfield’s displays for England Under-21s and in the early stages of the new campaign, we’ve no doubt he will meet the required standards.
9. Viktor Johansson – Stoke City
The second tier was blessed with some incredible goalkeepers last season, but outside of the likes of James Trafford, it was Viktor Johansson who caught the eye the most. He kept 14 clean sheets last term, and with Stoke City looking stronger than ever this season, there’s a good chance he will keep even more under Mark Robins. Premier League clubs wanted Johansson, which is no surprise, but the fact he’s stayed at Stoke means we get to see him do his thing for another season, at least.
8. Nestory Irankunda – Watford
Watford were delighted to sign Nestory Irankunda this summer, and rightly so. He cost them just over £2.5m, and while Bayern Munich retain a 50% sell-on clause on the youngster, Watford have absolutely picked up the bargain of the summer. The Australian ace is a free-kick master and a tricky customer, and he’s going to be one of the most exciting players to watch this season, for sure.
7. Harry Darling – Norwich City
A whole host of Championship clubs wanted Harry Darling this summer, but he chose to join Liam Mannaing’s Canaries revolution. He’s exactly the player Norwich City needed, too, giving them experience, leadership, composure, and a progressive outlet at the back. Darling was brilliant at Swansea City last season, but he can take his game to the next level now.
6. Abdul Fatawu – Leicester City
Abdul Fatawu has been described as ‘fantastic’ already this season. After Fatawu’s incredible goal against Charlton Athletic, it’s easy to see why. The electric forward is Leicester City’s danger man this season and he will be key to their hopes of returning to the Premier League at the first time of asking. It almost feels ridiculous that a player this good is playing in the second tier, but who are we to complain?
- READ MORE: WhoScored’s Championship Team of the 2025/26 Season so far emerges with one glaring omission
5. Jack Rudoni – Coventry City
It says it all that Frank Lampard insisted on keeping Jack Rudoni this summer as he sees him being integral to Coventry City’s promotion hopes. The young playmaker was fantastic last season as the Sky Blues made it to the play-offs, and with the team around him looking stronger than ever right now, there’s every chance he and Lampard will achieve their ambitions.
4. Barry Bannan – Sheffield Wednesday
Barry Bannan is a Sheffield Wednesday legend, with over 400 appearances for the Owls now over the last decade. He defies his age every week, showcasing technical ability but also proving he’s still got the engine to work central areas and do the dirty work.
Capable of stunning goals, genius passes, and possessing that terrier-like attitude to add bite to the Sheffield Wednesday midfield. Bannan is still a fantastic player and a natural leader, too.
3. Gustavo Hamer – Sheffield United
Officially, Gus Hamer was the best player in the Championship last season. That’s according to the EFL’s awards system, and we very nearly agree. Sheffield United have not had a good start to the season and the new Blades skipper needs to step up and show his quality to drag them out of the mire. Thankfully, Hamer is a strong, creative playmaker who has the ability to change a game with a moment of magic, so United should be fine.
2. Hayden Hackney – Middlesbrough
Hayden Hackney is so good that it looked very likely he wouldn’t be a Championship player this season. Premier League clubs tried to sign him this summer, but no move materialised. That’s largely because Boro plan to stand firm and keep Hackney so they can get promoted.
The young midfielder is so composed on the ball and mature beyond his years. He’s even captained the team on multiple occasions. Hackney is destined for the Premier League sooner rather than later, and there’s every chance he goes from being one of the best players in the Championship to develop into one of the best midfielders in the top flight; he’s that good.
1. Josh Sargent – Norwich City
Most fans agree Josh Sargent is the best striker in the Championship. But, the Norwich marksman is more than just a goal machine; his link-up play is exceptional, and there’s nothing better than a striker who can bring his teammates into the game.
Premier League clubs wanted Sargent this summer, which comes as no surprise. He’s absolutely a top flight quality player strutting his stuff a division lower than he should be, but that loyalty to Norwich is nothing to be sniffed at. Sargent knows he can score goals in the Championship, other teams fear him, and we could well see an absolute monster haul for the US international this season.