The Championship is littered with starlets and hidden gems who are more than capable of plying their trade in the Premier League or other European top leagues.
Following on from yesterday’s ‘Five Players Who Are Too Good For The Championship‘ piece, we take a look at five more second-tier talents who could certainly make the cut above.
Gabriel Sara
Norwich City superstar Gabriel Sara possesses that South American combination of bite and flair. A product of the academy system at São Paulo which has produced players such as Casemiro, Kaka and Cafu, the Brazilian midfielder comes from a good pedigree.
After graduating, the now 24-year-old appeared 113 times across a five-year spell with the ‘Paulistanos’. Since arriving in Norfolk, the English weather hasn’t seemed to phase the tenacious, versatile midfielder.
In his first season with the Canaries, Sara contributed seven goals as well as four assists, an outstanding return for his maiden season in the division. Fast forward to this campaign, Norwich City’s number ’17’ has already found the net four times whilst providing five assists.
A standout in a struggling side, Sara will have his pick of clubs come the summer.
Leif Davis
Born in Newcastle, Leif Davis joined Leeds United in 2018 where he graduated and made nine first-team appearances. Failing to make an impression at Elland Road, Davis joined AFC Bournemouth, experiencing his first taste of success as part of the side which secured promotion to the top flight in 2022.
Still unsettled, the dynamic left-back joined Ipswich Town in the summer of 2022 and has never looked back. With only what can be described as a ‘wand of a left foot’ the 23-year-old totalled a highly impressive 14 assists in the Tractor Boys’ League One winning campaign. Unsurprisingly, his scintillating form ensured a place in both the EFL League One Team of the Season as well as the PFA League One Team of the Season.
Unfazed like much of the Ipswich side regarding the increase of standard, Davis already has six assists to his name in just 12 outings. Although his attacking output is crucial to the East Anglian outfit, his defensive attributes contribute to the third-best defensive record in the division.
Tipped as a future England prospect, Leif Davis is destined for greatness.
Kyle Walker-Peters
When Southampton were relegated from the top flight, many expected Kyle Walker-Peters to depart alongside James Ward-Prowse. The fact a move away never came to fruition is indeed a bizarre circumstance.
Capped by England as recently as last year, it feels almost comical that somebody of such talent as Walker-Peters is even on the books of a Championship club. With no disrespect to Southampton, it is a phenomenal piece of business to retain the former Tottenham Hotspur star’s services.
The ability to play either on the left or right-hand side of defence offers even more flexibility to head coach Russell Martin. It is crucial that the Saints are able to keep hold of their prized asset as they seek an instant return to the Premier League.
Matt Grimes
On the slightly older side compared to the talents previously mentioned, Matt Grimes boasts 332 professional appearances, yet only four have come in England’s top flight. Exeter born and bred, the 28-year-old progressed through the academy and featured 62 times for the Grecians before heading across the M4 to Swansea City.
Rightfully considered a Swans legend, the defensive midfielder has been an ever-present figure at the Liberty. Although his style of play can be labelled ‘reserved’ and ‘safe’, Grimes brings a level of calmness to the game.
Linked with moves to Southampton and Fulham in the summer just gone, Michael Duff’s captain’s loyalty cannot be questioned. Fully believing the former Leeds loanee could comfortably play at a higher level, the decision ultimately rests with the Swansea man.
Viktor Johansson
Without a shadow of a doubt, Rotherham’s star man is the great Swede. Following his release from Leicester City, Viktor Johansson joined the Millers in September 2020.
Standing at 6’1, the Swedish international first made a name for himself by helping the South Yorkshire side to secure promotion back to the second tier. During this time, he kept 11 clean sheets in 26 League One appearances.
The following campaign, the 25-year-old kept 13 clean sheets and played a vital role in ensuring Rotherham’s safety in the Championship. Despite currently sitting in the relegation spots, Johansson continues to shine with 53 total saves, ranking 1st in the whole division with an average of 4.1 saves a game.
