The Championship is once again proving to be one of Europe’s best divisions, with teams hoping to make large money by gaining promotion to the Premier League.
But who stands out as the top player in the Championship right now? We took a close look at ten second-tier stars.
10Manor Solomon
Leeds United
Manor Solomon, a Leeds United winger on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, leads the top ten countdown.
The Israel international, who struggled with injuries in 2023/24, has found his form at Elland Road under Daniel Farke and has been first-choice on the left flank, scoring and assisting frequently.
9Jimmy Dunne
QPR
Jimmy Dunne, a defender for Queens Park Rangers, was wanted during the January transfer window for a reason.
The centre-back has been a regular in Marti Cifuentes’ first full season at Loftus Road, and according to WhoScored, Dunne is one of the Championship’s top performers, having scored four goals from the back.
8Enzo Le Fee
Sunderland
Sunderland’s signing of Enzo Le Fee from Roma was arguably the most significant signing of the January transfer window in the Championship.
The offensive midfielder, who previously played under Regis Le Bris at Lorient, is on loan from the Serie A club and has already demonstrated his ability in red and white.
The Black Cats will be hopeful he can make the difference in winning promotion.
7Gustavo Hamer
Sheffield United
Gustavo Hamer, an attacking midfielder, appears to be critical to Sheffield United’s ambitions of securing an instant return to the Premier League, having been impressive throughout the 2024/25 season.
The former Coventry City player has double-digit combined goals and assists at Bramall Lane, and he has won nine FotMob Player of the Match honors, demonstrating his quality in the second division.
6Ao Tanaka
Leeds United
Leeds’ summer signing of Japan international Ao Tanaka from Fortuna Dusseldorf for under £3 million appears to be a bargain.
The midfielder was given his chance after early-season injuries to Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev, and he hasn’t looked back since, establishing himself as an important member of the Whites club.
Tanaka has scored and assisted, with a pass completion rate of over 90% and an average of more than two tackles per game. As a result, he is one of FotMob’s top-rated players in the league.
5Tom Fellows
West Brom
Tom Fellows, an academy graduate at The Hawthorns, has piqued the interest of Premier League clubs with his performances out wide for West Brom this season.
The 21-year-old has more assists in the Championship than any other player (11) and appears to be set for top-flight football in the future. It’s unclear whether this is with West Brom.
4Joe Rodon
Leeds United
Joe Rodon, dubbed “Leeds United’s Rodri” by the media, has been a defensive behemoth since making his loan move to Elland Road permanent last summer.
The Wales international has one of the division’s top pass accuracy rates, averaging more than 80 completed passes per game – more than any other player bar Coventry City’s Matt Grimes.
Rodon has contributed to Leeds’ numerous clean sheets by keeping opposing teams’ attackers quiet and xG low.
3Borja Sainz
Norwich City
Borja Sainz has had his greatest season in front of goal statistically, scoring 15 Championship goals for Norwich City in the first 18 league games.
The Spaniard, who plays as a left winger, has also received six WhoScored Player of the Match accolades, more than any other player.
2James Trafford
Burnley
Burnley are on track to shatter numerous defensive records this season, and goalkeeper James Trafford has been a vital component of their success under Scott Parker.
Trafford, who is always linked with a return to the Premier League throughout the transfer market, recently saved two late penalties against promotion rivals Sunderland.
The Englishman has also kept more clean sheets than any other shot-stopper in the division and is FotMob’s highest-rated player in the league.
1Dan James
Leeds United
Dan James, Leeds’ winger, is arguably the greatest player in the Championship at the moment. The Welshman’s pace has caused defenders nightmares for years, and he is once again producing in the final third at Elland Road.
This season, James has double-digit second-tier goals and six assists, playing off the right wing and connecting well with full-back Jayden Bogle.
Even renowned Championship boss Neil Warnock recently waxed lyrical about James, saying: “I remember pulling Daniel James – he’s my favourite player in the Championship; he has been for years, and he wasn’t playing that day.”
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