Why more players should follow Bendtner and go to the Championship

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Some people were surprised when Nicklas Bendtner decided to sign for Nottingham Forest, but a move to the Championship may be the way forward.

When Nicklas Bendtner decided to make the switch to a Championship club in Nottingham Forest it certainly turned a lot of heads. However, moving to the second tier of English football could be the way forward for players who are in need of a fresh start.

The lower leagues tend to be known as places where teams can rehabilitate after relegation, but that is also the case for the actual players. Whether they have struggled to find form for a year or want to return back to their childhood club, there are plenty of good reasons to go to the Championship.

One of the best examples in recent years is Craig Bellamy. After a good season with Manchester City, the Welshman decided to move back home to play for Cardiff City.

He was able to continue his solid form at the club, and just a few years later he moved there on a permanent basis and helped to guide them up into the Premier League. It gave Bellamy an extra surge of passion for the game as well as giving fans a feel-good story.

This season the likes of Matt Ritchie and Dwight Gayle have dropped down a division to play for Newcastle, and whilst some may see it as a move purely done for money, the players themselves will know what a respected manager they will be playing under in Rafa Benitez.

If they do get promoted at the first attempt, the momentum they have gained from the great performances they put in throughout the 46-game season will carry through to the Premier League. As we have seen in recent years, many Championship teams have done well in their first season in the top flight and that confidence can do wonders for some players.

It also validates certain players’ ability to perform at all levels. The Championship is seen as being a scrappy division with not as much quality, but if you are a striker and you can score bucketloads of goals it could be a platform to improve your reputation and put your name on the market to bigger clubs.