This is another season in which a great amount of midfield talent will be on show, but who makes it into the top five?
This Championship season is sure to be another one in which a great amount of midfield talent will be on show.
With more money than ever in the second tier, several teams have assembled sides containing Premier League quality.
Who makes it into the top five midfielders in the Championship this season?
Anthony Knockaert
If Brighton and Hove Albion have a chance of promotion come the end of the season, Frenchman Anthony Knockaert will certainly have played his part. The winger scored five goals in 21 appearances last term and has continued his form into this campaign, netting three times in the opening five games.
He is a wide man who has bundles of ability on the either flank, comfortable cutting inside or going outside on his left foot. Whoever faces the Seagulls will face the question of stopping the star, and that is what excites so many supporters.
The former Leicester City man caught the eye of a number of clubs including Newcastle United over the summer, but Chris Hughton was able to keep hold of arguably the clubs most prized asset.
Matt Ritchie
A surprise move down to the Championship for AFC Bournemouth’s Matt Ritchie to Newcastle United could arguably be one of the buys of the season if he can replicate the form of his past two seasons.
In 130 games on the south coast, Ritchie scored 31 goals,a nd his his last campaign in the second tier he managed 15.
Similarly to Knockaert, he has the ability to play on either flank. However, the Scotland international is far more of a threat cutting inside from the right where he can link up with the forwards.
We’ve seen glimpses so far of what the 26 year-old is made of, and if he can produce what we saw two seasons ago when he helped Bournemouth gain promotion, he may have another medal around his neck come May.
Will Hughes
A season blighted by injury last term means that the young midfielder will be looking to push on this season with Derby County as they look to build a promotion challenge.
Despite being only 21 years of age, the midfielder has been around for some time now after a breakthrough in the 2012-13 season under Steve McClaren, and a number of Premier League sides such as Everton and Liverpool were credited with an interested in the England Under-21 international.
He is certainly a key element in Nigel Pearson’s plans as an intelligent and creative midfielder who can pass a ball extremely well. If Hughes can stay fit and maintain his form, Derby County will no doubt be in the play-off mix again.
Wes Hoolahan
A man with bundles of experience at Premier League and Championship level, the 34 year-old is still a welcome player in the Norwich City dressing room.
He has been able to get the Canaries out the Championship before and he will be looking to do it again. The midfielder showed what he capable of in the Euros this summer with Republic of Ireland, putting in some superb performances in helping the Republic get to the last 16, including his goal in the opening group game against Sweden and his fine assist for Robbie Brady’s famous winner against Italy.
Like Hughes he may not be not the quickest or strongest but he possesses that composure and intelligence on the ball to keep things ticking over for Norwich, and even at his age he will still be one of the best in this division.
Alex Pritchard
A stop-start career so far for the young Alex Pritchard has halted his progress, although Alex Neil could have made a signing which could be the difference if Norwich are to return to the Premier League.
He went out on four loans during his spell at Tottenham Hotspur, although his best was his stint in west London with Brentford, whom he helped to the Championship play-offs. The 23 year-old play-maker featured 47 times and scored 12 goals for the Bees.
During his time at Griffin Park he showed what he is capable of – superb in creating chances for his side as well as adding that touch of class to the midfield, whilst also being a dead ball specialist.
His time at Tottenham is over but if he can reproduce what he did with the Bees, he could be a gem at Carrow Road.
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