Top-tier clubs can find themselves a bargain by identifying the best talent from England's second division
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There's no denying the gap between the Premier League and the Championship is widening. You only need to look at the fact all three promoted teams have come straight back down again in each of the last two seasons to realise that.
Nevertheless, there's still a fine talent supply coming from the second tier and that shouldn't be ignored by those settled in the top-flight. Best of all, you don't need to do too much overthinking to pick out and find the best of the bunch.
Of course, Leeds United, Burnley and Sunderland have taken most of the talent up with them after securing promotion, but there are still some gems waiting to be snapped up. GOAL have picked out seven players to keep an eye out for this transfer window:
Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty Images SportGustavo Hamer (Sheffield Utd)
The last three seasons have been gloriously agonising for Gustavo Hamer. He was the star player of a Coventry City side featuring the much sought-after Viktor Gyokeres when they were beaten on penalties by Luton Town in the 2022-23 play-off final. Nevertheless, he earned a move to Sheffield United, who had secured automatic promotion, only for them to finish bottom of the 2023-24 Premier League by a considerable distance. The Blades accrued 90 points this term but could only finish third, and despite being heavy favourites to win the play-offs, they were agonisingly beaten in the final by Sunderland in second-half stoppage time.
For Hamer, the reigning Championship Player of the Year, he shouldn’t feel consigned to another season in the second tier. He’s proven again and again he has quality beyond this division, and should be able to find a Premier League buyer this summer. A midfielder with his sort of final-third production won't hang around in the second tier again, and he has already been heavily linked with Everton and Leeds.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportJack Rudoni (Coventry City)
Coventry were a different beast after Frank Lampard took over from club legend Mark Robins in November 2024, going from relegation candidates to the play-offs. The ex-Chelsea boss claimed that one of his remits was to get more out of a talented but underperforming squad, and he squeezed every last bit of juice out of Jack Rudoni.
An attacking midfielder who can play deeper much like Lampard in his former playing days, Rudoni came in clutch during the final few weeks of the Sky Blues' season, most notably scoring both goals in their 2-0 win against Middlesbrough on the final day to secure their place in the top six. That ensured he finished the year with nine goals and 12 assists in the Championship alone, while he was also on target during their play-off defeat to Sunderland.
"Rudi has been amazing," Lampard has said of the 23-year-old. "He's so engaging, he wants to train, he wants to ask questions. He's an absolute dream to work with, and I was delighted that he was the main man."
Given Coventry only signed Rudoni from Huddersfield Town last summer, they will probably want to keep him for at least one more season, but they'd be remiss to overlook an offer from any of the big boys.
Getty Images SportJosh Sargent (Norwich City)
United States star Josh Sargent wasn't quite ready to take the Premier League by storm when he touched down at Norwich City in 2021, with the Canaries sent straight back to the Championship. Since then, the American has spread his wings and grown into one of the second division's most reliable scorers, hitting double figures in each of the last three years and being voted into the Team of the Season, while also taking home the Canaries' in-club Player of the Year award too.
"I think when I first got here it was a difficult situation, you know I was playing out on the right wing and I'm never going to say no to playing that position in the Prem," Sargent said. "I think I was also young and not as developed as I am now. Still obviously have a long way to go but for sure I think I'm a different player now compared to when I first came here."
Amid speculation that Sargent could leave, Norwich have been urged to give him the captaincy and pull out all the stops to make him feel like it's worth his while remaining at Carrow Road. Good luck to them with that…
Getty Images SportBorja Sainz (Norwich City)
Sargent was actually outscored by fellow Norwich attacker Borja Sainz across the season, with the Spaniard ousting him 18 goals to 16. Still only 24, the winger is expected to be the subject of transfer interest from above too. At least that's according to Sainz's barber, who has wished his client the best of luck in whatever he does next.
There have been question marks over Sainz's attitude after he received a six-match ban for spitting at an opponent in January, but his ability and output could be enough alone for suitors to look past that in negotiations with Norwich.
