The Championship is one of the best leagues in Europe; here are five of its stars, including those from Brighton, Newcastle and Norwich, who would be great in the Premier League.
The quality of the Championship is unlike any other second division from any country in the world.
It’s full of 24 teams each season that compete to a very high standard with around 15 clubs each year that have a genuine chance of being promoted into the Premier League.
With that said there are some players featuring in the division who could easily be in the top flight of English football.
Here we take a look at just five players who would seamlessly make the transition from the Championship. Although there are of course countless others who could also compete at the highest level in England.
Anthony Knockaert
Brighton’s Anthony Knockaert in action with Sheffield Wednesday’s Ross Wallace
The 24-year-old has already had a chance to shine in the Premier League, when he was at Leicester City during the 2014-15 season.
Knockaert managed just nine appearances in the Premier League, but showed glimpses of his quality and creative flair.
Since joining Brighton and Hove Albion earlier this year, the former France under-21 international has been one of the most creative attacking midfielders in the division and has so far scored 11 goals in 35 league appearances for the Seagulls.
Will Hughes
Liverpool’s Emre Can in action with Derby’s Will Hughes
It is easy to forget that Hughes is still only 21-years of age, after already being a mainstay for Derby County since 2012.
After making his debut for the Rams in 2011, Hughes has already played over 100 league matches and that number could have been 150, if he had not suffered a major injury last season.
His passing ability and general control of play has seen him linked with moves to the Premier League before and despite being injured for the majority of last season, he was linked by The Sun with a summer move to Manchester United.
Matt Ritchie
Newcastle’s Matt Ritchie scores their second goal from the penalty spot
The Scotland international surprised many football fans and pundits during the summer when he swapped Premier League side Bournemouth for Championship leaders Newcastle United.
Ritchie scored four goals last season for Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth and played a major role in helping the side avoid relegation.
Newcastle’s Ritchie could well get another chance of playing in the top flight of English football next season, with the Magpies looking like title contenders.
Robbie Brady
Ipswich’s Luke Chambers and Norwich’s Robbie Brady in action
Robbie Brady could well be a transfer target for some clubs in the future.
The 24-year-old, who can play at either left-back or on the left wing, has perhaps one of the best left foots in English football, which he has demonstrated time and time again with his pinpoint crosses.
Having already played in the Premier League for both Norwich City and Hull City, Brady went on to prove his ability to mix it with the best at the 2016 European Championships in France.
Dale Stephens
Dale Stephens celebrates after scoring the first goal for Brighton
Brighton midfielder Dale Stephens has had a storied career, having started at League Two level, before dropping into non-league, he has since become one of the best players in his position in the Championship.
Stephens was a transfer target for Premier League outfit Burnley during the summer and it is easy to see why.
The 27-year-old’s ability to break up play before starting an attack and positional sense is an attribute that most Premier League side’s would look for in a player.
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