Five Championship players moving on up
The season is drawing ever closer to the end. Managers and players tell the media their attention is firmly ‘on the next game’. We know it’s not true. There are plenty of conversations taking place behind the scenes to identify transfer targets. Here we provide you some Football Index tips in the shape of five of the best Championship players who are destined for a Premier League move.
Number 5. Rayhaan Tulloch, £0.89
Tulloch is somewhat of a wildcard selection in this list of Football Index Tips. He’s only played 98 minutes of football across five senior appearances for West Brom – all of which were in the FA Cup. The 19 year old winger or forward is highly thought of though. His goal scoring at under 23 level has raised a few eyebrows with several lower end Premier League teams reportedly monitoring his progress. Will a move come this summer? Quite possibly.
Number 4. Eberechi Eze, £2.25
It wasn’t too long ago that Eze faced the prospect of waving goodbye to professional football. Now though, he’s established himself as QPR’s main man and the number 10 is one of the brightest prospects in the Championship. Eze featured regularly throughout the 18/19 campaign – albeit often as a sub – and contributed four goals and four assists. This season he’s kicked on and become the focal point of QPR’s attacking play and he’s been involved in 20 goals, 12 goals and 8 assists. At 21, he has a lot to learn but expect the big guns to come sniffing in the summer.
Number 3. Ollie Watkins, £1.74
Watkins moved to Brentford in 2017 for a sub £2m fee from Exeter. In his first two seasons he scored double figures from wide positions but this season he’s gone up a level after moving into a central role. He’s already bagged 22 goals and his all round game has been highlighted too. Tammy Abraham is proof that goals in the Championship can transfer to the Premier League and Chelsea have been muted as a possible destination. We think a club slightly further down the table might be more likely. Either way, the Premier League awaits.
Number 2. Kalvin Phillips, £2.03
Midfielder Phillips is Leeds through and through but, even if his side win promotion, he’ll be off. The 24 year old has been tipped for an England call up after being one of the best Championship players for a couple of years and a move to a top six club is not a ridiculous suggestion. For example, Arsenal are crying out for a man who can sniff out danger. Phillips can play as well. Despite an obvious lack of top level experience, Phillips would be an immediate improvement to the Gunners XI. A move for Phillips will unquestionably come – it’s just a case of who to and how much?
Number 1. Jude Bellingham, £4.72
Bellingham only broke into the Birmingham side in August but the 16 year old is now arguably the hottest prospect in English football. He can carry the ball. He can pass the ball. Hell, he even chips in with the occasional goal. That’s not what people love the most though. The area where his ability really shines through is in his defensive work. We’d hang our hats on him growing into the complete midfielder but his reading of the game, particularly for a kid, is exceptional. He’s too good for Brum and a big money move awaits. Man United are apparently the favourites to land the England youth international – if they do win the race then Birmingham fans can forget a loan back deal. He’ll go straight into the United first team set up without a shadow of a doubt.
There you have it, five of the best Championship players who could well be on their way to a Premier League side in the summer. Have we missed anyone who should be in the top five? Let us know below.