With the summer transfer window approaching, Premier League clubs are closely watching talent from the EFL Championship. Here are the bright young stars who impressed in 2023. They put their abilities and usefulness on display, showing that they can perform and exert a big influence at the next levels up. Further down the list, players like Jason Knight, Finn Azaz, Gustavo Hamer, Josh Sargent, Jack Rudoni, Hayden Hackney and Bilal El Khannouss have been excellent too. All have scored the equivalent of 15+ points per game on their respective teams.
Sudan College veteran Jason Knight has become one of the league’s stars, and appears headed for an all-time record 307 games played. Beginning his first-team career at the unexpectedly tender age of 18, Knight’s maturity far exceeds his years. He ranks third in the entire division in passes into the final third and progressive passes. This accomplishment just underscores his importance in the way the game is played in midfield. He’s able to dictate the pace of play and effortlessly link up with attacking midfielders. It is this skill that makes him an irresistible target for flying clubs in search of bigger, richer squads.
At the same time, third-year running back Finn Azaz has created considerable buzz with a breakout season. In return, he only managed the nine goals across 43 regular Championship appearances. On top of this, he added twelve assists for a combined 21 goal involvements. His versatility and attacking prowess have been key in delivering his team’s process-heavy offensive flooding schemes.
Gustavo Hamer’s work has definitely caught the attention of many, as this summer he played every minute during the 2024/25 Championship season. He has wonderful endurance and game-to-game reliability on the field. Last season, he was one of their most impactful players, scoring four goals and providing seven assists. Hamer’s consistency in the middle of the park would give any Premier League side a steady hand to help guide them through a campaign.
In the forward position, Josh Sargent has been making waves this season. Sargent has already hit double figures for goals and assists during the 2024/25 season, scoring ten and setting up eight. With this performance, his impressive total brought him to 44 goals at the second tier since the beginning of the 2022/23 season. As for scoring goals, he’s in a league of his own. This unique skill set would further make him an appealing target for any team looking to enhance its firepower up front.
Fellow attacker Jack Rudoni has enjoyed a productive season, registering twelve goals and eleven assists in the 2024/25 season. The last season success directly explains his performance. There too, he punched up eleven goals and ten assists, proving yet again his ability to keep productivity cruising at high levels year after year.
Defensively, Hayden Hackney has undoubtedly shined the brightest, leading all players with an astounding 440 progressive passes on the season. He moves the ball from side to side really well. This nuanced skill has proven to be very important for his team’s offensive possession maintaining and creating goal-scoring opportunities.
Whichever way you look at it, Leicester City has been very smart in the transfer market. They’ve already in Bilal El Khannouss from Genk for £21 million. Known for his dynamic playing style, El Khannouss has been described as a player who “glides across the turf, honing in on gaps in defences and trying to make things happen.” His performances have earned him recognition as “Leicester’s spark,” indicating his potential to significantly impact the team’s fortunes.
Further, Mateus Fernandes came over to Leicester from Sporting CP last summer, providing even more depth to an already fantastic squad. The combination of these new signings with emerging talents like El Khannouss positions Leicester to be competitive both in the Championship and possibly in the Premier League.
Mihailo Ivanovic has captured attention with his unique goal celebration inspired by Aleksandar Mitrovic, showcasing his personality alongside his on-field contributions. This blend of flair and productivity can make him an appealing option for clubs looking for both skill and character.
And, perhaps most importantly, these players are constantly creating new content and honing their craft. Premier League clubs will be watching their performances, of course, very carefully for the rest of the season. Unsurprisingly, moves from the Championship to the Premier League are the most coveted. For one, teams are desperate to bolster their shaky rosters with known commodities from lower divisions.
Leave a Reply