The Championship has seen some brilliant youngsters over the years, from Jude Bellingham coming through at Birmingham City to Archie Gray’s breakthrough campaign at Leeds United.
The second tier once again has a plethora of young talents on show, some of whom are plying their trade on loan at clubs in the Championship. Others are permanent members of teams in the division, and here at Football FanCast, we’ve looked at 15 of the most exciting Championship youngsters aged 21 or younger at the time of writing.
The 10 best players in the Championship right now
The second tier is providing great entertainment and drama once again, but which stars are standing out?
1 ByCharlie SmithFeb 14, 2025 1 Jobe Bellingham Sunderland
Looking to follow in the footsteps of his older brother, Jobe Bellingham has been making a name for himself at Sunderland in recent years.
Still just 19 years of age, Bellingham swapped Birmingham for Sunderland in 2023, and the attacking midfielder isn’t far away from making 100 appearances for the Black Cats.
To reach that figure, Sunderland may need to be promoted in 2024/25, as this season could be Bellingham’s last in the Championship with Premier League sides previously circling.
2 Chris Rigg Sunderland
Another extremely exciting young Sunderland midfielder catching the eye is Chris Rigg, who will turn 18 in June.
Coming through the Black Cats’ academy, he is attracting serious interest from Manchester United as a result of his starring displays in red and white, with the Red Devils looking to build for the future under INEOS.
Rigg has made already made more than 50 senior Sunderland appearances before his 18th birthday and looks destined for the top.
The 12 highest-paid players in the EFL Championship (2024/25)
Who is earning the most in the second tier?
1 ByRoss KilvingtonFeb 27, 2025 3 Tom Fellows West Brom
An exciting right-winger who could go on to play for England is Tom Fellows of West Brom, who has turned into something of an assists machine during the 2024/25 season.
He already had 10 Championship assists before the turn of the year and was wanted by Everton in January as a result. Should West Brom fail to win promotion, Fellows could be a wanted man once again.
4 Shea Charles Sheffield Wednesday
Midfielder Shea Charles signed for Southampton in the Championship in 2023 and helped the Saints win promotion back to the Premier League at the first attempt.
However, the following year, Charles was loaned back to the second tier with Sheffield Wednesday and has been making a big impact at Hillsborough, so much so that rivals Sheffield United were looking at a move in January.
Charles was recalled by Southampton but then loaned back to Wednesday midway through the 2024/25 campaign.
The 15 most expensive signings in EFL Championship history
The second tier has had its fair share of mega-money deals.
ByRoss KilvingtonFeb 3, 2025 5 Wilfried Gnonto Leeds United
Wilfried Gnonto made an impact in the Premier League after signing for Leeds United as a teenager back in 2022, when he was already an Italy international.
Now 21 years of age, Gnonto has made more than 100 appearances for the Whites and is into double figures for goal contributions in 2024/25.
6 Ben Doak Middlesbrough
On loan from Liverpool, Ben Doak has impressed in what is his first full season playing senior football at Middlesbrough under Michael Carrick.
The winger has been a regular at the Riverside on the right-hand side, and like Gnonto, he is also into double figures for goal contributions.
Liverpool will surely be enjoying what they have seen from the 19-year-old in the Championship.
7 Luca Koleosho Burnley
Luca Koleosho swapped Espanyol for Burnley in 2023 and was part of the side that suffered relegation from the top flight last season.
He did show his quality in glimpses and scored an early-season winner at Leeds United this term.
Still just 20 years of age, Koleosho can play on either wing and appears to be an exciting attacker at Turf Moor.
Every Championship Golden Boot winner since 2004/05
From King and Ebanks-Blake to Mitrovic and Pukki, these players bossed the second tier.
ByCharlie SmithFeb 19, 2025 8 Callum Doyle Norwich City
Manchester City full-back Callum Doyle is now into his fourth EFL loan spell away from the Etihad, and appears to be going from strength to strength as he looks to become a Premier League regular.
After spells with Sunderland, Coventry City and Leicester City, Doyle is now with Norwich City and has been a regular at left-back at Carrow Road under Johannes Hoff Thorup.
9 Ollie Arblaster Sheffield United
He may be sidelined through injury at this moment in time, but Sheffield United midfielder Ollie Arblaster appears to have a hugely bright future ahead of him.
The Blades ace came through the club’s academy and was a regular under Chris Wilder, making 12 Premier League appearances last season. Arblaster even captained United multiple times in 2024/25 before suffering a serious injury.
10 Alfie Gilchrist Sheffield United
The Blades also have an exciting young defender on their books for 2024/25 in Alfie Gilchrist, winning the race to secure his services on loan from Chelsea last summer.
Since then, Gilchrist has been a regular at right-back at Bramall Lane in what has been his first full season as an ever-present figure at senior level.
Whether or not his long-term future is at Stamford Bridge remains to be seen, though.