Recruitment Analysis: Finding Value in the Championship

With the summer transfer window now open, clubs are scrambling around to try and find new additions ahead of the 2025/2026 campaign. Profit and sustainability regulations being introduced in the last few years mean clubs are having to be smart with how they spend, and we might not see too many £100m+ deals like we have done in the past. Liverpool’s recent acquisition of Florian Wirtz is a bit of an anomaly in today’s market, but you do have to factor in that they barely spent anything last summer. 

As a result of the regulations, clubs may be forced to dip into different markets for some of their new signings. Although the price of players overall is generally increasing, there are still some gems to be unearthed. Crystal Palace are a prime example of taking advantage of talent in the UK. Eberechi Eze, Michael Olise, and Adam Wharton were all signed from the Championship for reasonable fees, and they’ve already made a huge profit on Olise and could easily do the same with Eze and Wharton. 

A host of players who could have made this list have already been promoted ahead of the 2024/2025 season, including Chris Rigg, Trai Hume, Mateo Joseph, among others. However, there are still some players who have the ability to make the step up to the Premier League in the summer transfer window.

Hayden Hackney

If you’re looking for a midfielder who can progress the ball, whether that be through carrying or passing, then Middlesbrough’s Hayden Hackney is your man.

The England U21 international is always looking to make positive actions when he has the ball, particularly through his passing ability. Hackney is fantastic at getting the ball into the final third, and can receive in all phases of play, whether that be in his defensive third or further up the pitch.

If Hackney isn’t looking to find a positive, progressive pass when he is in possession, he will look to carry the ball from deep, getting his team up the pitch. He’s not a flashy, technical dribbler, but he can run with it at pace and into space, which can be hugely beneficial for sides looking to turn defence into attack.

There are concerns about his ability out of possession in terms of positioning, especially when you consider that he’s regularly venturing into the final third. That will mean that he has to be paired with the right midfielder or even in a midfield three in order to mask his weaknesses out of possession. I’m not expecting him to join a side looking to compete for the Premier League title, but I believe he’s ready to make the step up to England’s top flight.

Tom Fellows

Another who could make the step up is Tom Fellows. Another England U21 international, Fellows, is a highly creative threat on the right-hand side of attack, and to me, he’s a bit of a throwback winger who loves to run at players and get crosses into the box.

Setting up 14 goals in the Championship during the 2024/2025 season, Fellows enjoyed an impressive campaign with the Baggies, and at the age of 21, he still has plenty of room to grow. Fellows needs to start adding more goals to his game, but his directness on the right-hand side makes him a constant threat during games.

Fellows is more of a traditional winger who likes to hug the touchline to be a wide option in the final third. Being a right-footed right winger, Fellows is a rare profile in modern football these days. Although he tends to favour his left when dribbling, looking like he’s going to cut inside, Fellows often prefers to go to the right and deliver crosses into the box. The young winger certainly has the ability and potential to play higher, and if you can pair him with a strong, aerially dominant striker, it could be the recipe for plenty of goals.

Shea Charles

Now, I wasn’t going to do any players from clubs just relegated from the Premier League as think there are plenty of obvious names who will likely return to the top flight (Tyler Dibling, Mateus Fernandes, Abdul Fatawu, etc.), but with Southampton midfielder Shea Charles playing in the Championship last season, I think he deserves a mention.

At the age of 21, Charles is just starting to play regular football and enjoyed an impressive season with Sheffield Wednesday. Playing 43 Championship games, Charles even captained his country, despite his age, and he’s destined to be playing regular Premier League football in the near future.

Charles came through the Manchester City academy, so naturally he’s a player who is comfortable on the ball. However, the youngster isn’t afraid to put himself about and loves to win the ball back before playing progressively. Southampton will likely want to keep him for their first season back in the Championship, but he could be a smart addition for Premier League clubs as a long-term option. 

Some honourable mentions include Norwich City full-back Kellen Fisher, who has enjoyed an impressive spell with the Canaries after coming through non-league. Oliver Arblaster and Sydie Peck are two impressive midfielders for Sheffield United, while Wycombe’s Richard Kone is destined to at least play in the Championship, if not higher soon. Rocco Vata is another, I believe, people should be keeping their eye on.

If we’re looking at a slightly older set of options, Jack Rudoni and Giorgi Chakvetadze could be smart pick-ups for clubs in the bottom half of the Premier League table, although they aren’t of the age where they can be considered a wonder kid anymore and are closer to reaching their prime ages.

Written by APFA member, Matthew Smith (@tacticallymatt)