We’re 10 games into the new Premier League season now, but which teams in the league below have players whose sights could be set higher? In what’s been an intriguing Championship season so far let’s take a look at five Championship players who already look ready for the Premier League, in a Gems of the Lower Leagues special…
Will Hughes (Derby County)
Many Premier League teams have struggled to keep hold of possession so far this season. A player like Will Hughes is able to control games and keep the ball for his team, as evidenced by Hughes’ 82.2% pass success percentage this season.
Considering Hughes has played over 100 Championship games for Derby County it is perhaps even more of a surprise that the England Under-21 international is still in the Championship when really he would improve several teams in the Premier League.
Hughes missed the majority of last season through injury and only returned in April but has been a consistent figure in the Derby side since his debut at the end of 2011/12. Constantly linked with a move to the Premier League and at only 21 years old, surely it is only a matter of time before Hughes makes the move up. Possibly with Derby, for whom you can check out their best betting odds for the Championship.
Cyrus Christie (Derby County)
An ever-present in the Derby side last season was Cyrus Christie. Christie offers pace and power to the Derby County defence and is an asset both defensively and offensively. Christie has also managed to establish himself as a regular member of Martin O’Neill’s squad for the Republic of Ireland and was named in the 23-man squad for Euro 2016.
Christie made his 100th start for Derby at the weekend and managed to mark the occasion with only his second goal for the club. Helping the attack is a big part of Christie’s game and he has averaged around 1.6 dribbles per game in the 15 matches he has played in this season.
IMAGE: A goal to mark his 100th start for #DCFC for this man
@cyruschristie pic.twitter.com/kC0YTGdzQR
— Derby County (@dcfcofficial) October 29, 2016
SEE ALSO: Newcastle, Norwich, Villa… 9 players who will benefit from relegation
Lewis Dunk (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Lewis Dunk is a player who has been at Brighton all his career (apart from a brief loan move to Bristol City) but it is only in the past couple of seasons that he’s established himself as their main starting centre back. However, Dunk’s performances now mean that he is one of the first names on Chris Hughton’s team sheet.
Dunk has started 14 out of the 15 league matches that Brighton have played in the current season and his powerful and dominating defensive displays have helped the Seagulls keep three clean sheets in their last three matches. At 6ft 4” tall he wins most aerial duels and would enjoy the battle of some of the more old fashioned centre forwards like Andy Carroll in the Premier League.
Championship Player of the Month – Lewis Dunk @OfficialBHAFC pic.twitter.com/B6GsOW7sCA
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) October 31, 2016
Jacob Murphy (Norwich City)
If there was ever evidence of the benefits of going out on loan Jacob Murphy is proof. Murphy spent last season out on loan to Coventry City in League One and had a productive season, making 42 appearances and scoring ten goals.
Since his loan Murphy has returned to Norwich City and has played in 13 league games and scored five goals for the Canaries. Murphy’s speed and directness have proven effective from a wide position for Norwich although he is also capable of playing as a centre forward.
Like Hughes, Murphy (pictured above) is only 21 so he has still time to develop even further and eventually play in the Premier League. Scouts are already taking note.
Isaac Hayden (Newcastle United)
Not much was expected of Isaac Hayden when he signed for Newcastle United in the summer. After spending big on players like Matt Ritchie and Dwight Gayle, Hayden had little pressure after a relatively small price tag was paid for his transfer from Arsenal.
Hayden though has since been one of the surprise stars of a Newcastle side who have set the pace in the early months of the Championship season. Often rotated with Jack Colback, Hayden is used in a defensive role which allows Jonjo Shelvey to express himself. A calm and composed central midfielder, Hayden keeps the ball well and doesn’t overcomplicate things.
Hayden has played ten games so far for Newcastle and already looks settled despite only one previous season of first team football with Hull City in 2015/16. He’s becoming a big part of the Magpies’ promotion push.
Tough game today we battled hard and came out with the 3 points! Thank you for the incredible support again! #NUFC pic.twitter.com/fr2kfTcB0r
— Isaac Hayden (@IsaacHayden65) October 29, 2016
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Words: Dave McNair | Main image credit: Jacob Murphy via Twitter
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