The new Championship season starts in three days time and all 24 clubs will have already likely set their targets for the 2022-23 campaign.
While the second tier of English football will remain a fiercely contested division, some of the league’s best players have been snapped up by Premier League sides this summer.
HITC Sport has put together a Premier League XI made up of Championship signings.
Premier League XI made up of Championship signings
Nick Pope – Newcastle United
The England international’s heroics couldn’t prevent from Burnley being relegated and with playing Premier League football crucial to Pope’s chances of securing a spot in Gareth Southgate’s World Cup squad, his six-year stay at Turf Moor has come to an end.
The 30-year-old was signed by Newcastle United for £10m.
Nathan Collins – Wolverhampton Wanderers
A trio of Pope’s former Burnley teammates have joined the former Charlton Athletic man in securing Premier League moves.
Republic of Ireland international Collins has joined Wolves after a season with the Clarets, following his arrival from Stoke City.
Bruno Lage’s side splashed out £20.5m to bring Collins to Molineux, in a deal which made the centre-halve the most expensive Irishman ever.
James Tarkowski – Everton
After running down his Burnley contract, Tarkowski joined Everton on a free transfer and Frank Lampard will be hoping the two-time England international tightens up a defence which was far too easy to breach at times last season.
The former Brentford man has a wealth of Premier League experience under his belt and his presence within the Toffees backline should bring calmness and leadership.
Ben Mee – Brentford
While Pope, Collins and Tarkowski battled to try and preserve Burnley’s top-flight status, Mee could only advise and lead from the touchline after sustaining a broken leg.
The former Manchester City youngster has joined Brentford on a free transfer and once fit, Mee will be hoping to become a vial part of Thomas Frank’s Bees side, who will be hoping to avoid the dreaded second season syndrome.
Djed Spence – Tottenham Hotspur
Antonio Conte may not have directly asked the club to sign the England Under-21 international, but Spence more than showcased his burgeoning potential in the Championship last season.
After Neil Warnock sanctioned the attack-minded full-back’s loan move to Nottingham Forest, Spence rapidly became one of the most exciting and talked about players in the Championship.
After firing Forest back up to the Premier League via the play-offs, Spurs signed the 21-year-old from Middlesbrough in a deal worth up to £20m.
Joe Rothwell – Bournemouth
The former Manchester United youngster was the subject of interest from Bournemouth in the January transfer window, but Blackburn Rovers rebuffed the Cherries approach.
But the midfielder signed for Scott Parker’s on a free transfer following the expiry of his contract at Ewood Park.
Lewis O’Brien – Nottingham Forest
Part of Steve Cooper’s City Ground revolution, O’Brien has joined the side that defeated Huddersfield Town in last season’s Championship play-off final.
The all-action midfielder was one of the standout Championship players who deserve a Premier League move this summer and O’Brien will be hoping to establish himself as a key part of Cooper’s starting XI.
Flynn Downes – West Ham United
Following the retirement of Hammers legend Mark Noble, David Moyes signed Downes from Swansea City to bolster his midfield options.
Downes only spent one season at the Liberty Stadium following his move from Ipswich Town, but his performances caught the Irons’ attention and the Londoners paid the Welsh side £9m to secure his services.
Harry Toffolo – Nottingham Forest
Forest paid £10m to bring O’Brien and Toffolo to Nottingham this summer. Toffolo will likely be challenging with former Bayern Munich man Omar Richards for the left wing-back spot.
But with the former Reading youngster set to miss the start of the season due to a fractured leg injury, Toffolo will be hoping to nail down a starting berth at his new club.
Malcolm Ebiowei – Crystal Palace
Despite being linked with a move to Manchester United, the former Derby County starlet, who had spells in the Chelsea, Arsenal and Rangers youth sides, joined Crystal Palace this summer.
After impressing under Wayne Rooney for the Rams last season, the dazzling winger will be hoping to take his game to a new level under fellow Premier League legend Patrick Vieira.
Keane Lewis-Potter – Brentford
After scoring 25 Championship goals across the last two seasons, Hull City’s academy star was identified as a key target by Brentford.
The England Under-21 international joined the Londoners in a deal which could reach a club-record £20m and Lewis-Potter could become one of the breakout stars in the Premier League next season.
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