The pool of talent in the EFL Championship is ever-growing as the league continues to improve with each passing season.
This piece aims to discuss some of the highest-performing players in England’s second tier from the 2023/24 campaign so far.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall
Leicester City born and bred, the dynamic midfielder joined the Foxes at the early age of eight. Seventeen years later, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall finds himself as one of the most influential players in the whole league.
Being no stranger to the league, the 25-year-old enjoyed a successful spell with Luton during the 2019/20 Championship season before bursting onto the scene with Leicester in the Premier League.
Despite being part of the side that were relegated from the top flight last term, the starlet is boasting a very impressive season so far. In just 14 games, he has recorded five goals and six assists, ranking first in the league for overall goal contributions.
Jack Clarke
Jack Clarke rose to prominence during the 2018/19 Championship campaign with Leeds United, when his raw talent and ability to run at players caught the eye of Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur.
£10 million and four loan spells later, Clarke finally settled at Sunderland in 2022. In his first full season with the Black Cats, the Yorkshire man recorded nine goals and eleven assists.
Despite multiple bids from Burnley, the 22-year-old remained faithful to the Tyne and Wear club. This season, Clarke has been unstoppable. His ten goal contributions and his positive influence on games will certainly entice more Premier League clubs to come calling.
Jaden Philogene-Bidace
Similarly to the previously-mentioned Clarke, Jaden Philogene-Bidace is a winger who possesses an explosiveness which gets the crowd up off their seats.
Following on from a successful loan spell with Cardiff City last season, many tipped the London-born attacker to be in and around the first team at Aston Villa, after enjoying a positive pre-season with the Midlands Club. Hence, it was somewhat of a surprise that Hull City was able to secure his signature on a permanent basis.
In nine league outings, the 21-year-old has shown the Tigers what he’s about, contributing three goals and four assists.
Joel Piroe
The Dutchman has certainly taken to life in the United Kingdom. Signed by Swansea City from PSV Eindhoven in July 2021, Joel Piroe returned 41 goals and eight assists in his two-year stint in South Wales.
Therefore, it was highly expected that the versatile attacker would make a move to one of Europe’s top leagues. However, after a move to Leeds United materialised, it showed the ambition of the Yorkshire outfit to achieve promotion back to the promised land.
Since settling up north, the 24-year-old has continued where he left off in Wales, leading the line and recording five goals in 11 appearances for his new club. Despite only joining in the summer, if Leeds do not achieve success, they will have a job on their hands to retain his services.
Hayden Hackney
A local lad, Hayden Hackney came through the youth ranks at Middlesbrough, marking his senior debut for Boro in January 2021.
Following a loan with Scunthorpe United in the 2021/22 campaign, which had its fair share of controversy, Hackney made a name for himself under Michael Carrick last season. Playing with the likes of Cameron Archer, Ryan Giles and Aaron Ramsey, Hackney may feel hard done by considering his position at this moment in time.
The starlet midfielder offers composure in the centre of the park. Not one to shy away from getting stuck in, the 21-year-old has an incredibly bright future ahead of him with three recent England U21 caps to support this.
