Five Championship stars destined for the Premier League including ex-Arsenal star and winger dreaming of Ballon d’Or
HAYDEN HACKNEY’S winner against Chelsea last night made it a night to remember for Middlesbrough at the Riverside.
The 21-year-old Boro kid has been superb since breaking into the team last season after a year on loan at Scunthorpe.
He didn’t get much of a look-in under Chris Wilder but Michael Carrick has certainly shown plenty of belief in him and he certainly showed how good he is by shining in midfield against one of the Premier League’s marquee clubs.
Manchester United and Tottenham are said to be ready to pounce for the youngster although anyone wanting him will almost certainly have to wait for the summer.
During transfer windows, Premier League clubs are always being linked with players from overseas but here are FIVE other Championship players that really should be a target for top clubs.
Jobe Bellingham (Sunderland)
I’ve enjoyed watching the 19-year-old midfielder who is two years younger than his famous and illustrious brother Jude.
Wanting to write his own football story — and not simply be known as the brother of a Real Madrid and England international — the Sunderland kid insisted he wanted the name Jobe on the back of his shirt rather than Bellingham.
Has a lot of similar attributes to his brother in terms of his physique and maturity.
Thought he was outstanding away at Leicester when the Black Cats gave the runaway Championship leaders a tough evening.
A huge chunk of Bellingham’s minutes have come as a false nine, though he’s also been used behind a more traditional striker and in a deeper midfield position.
Conor Chaplin (Ipswich)
Ipswich simply cannot function as well as they have been this season without him.
His eight goals don’t tell the story. His pressing is out of this world. His blocks, interceptions and ball recovery has played a huge part in Ipswich’s success story this season.
I’ve watched him a number of times and he’s been one of the standout players. He was outstanding down at Southampton in October and he pops up with vital goals like the winner I saw him net at QPR.
It’s crazy to think this talent has been overlooked by bigger clubs. Thought he was great when he was at Barnsley too. Was huge for the Tykes during his two years there.
The high press McKenna likes is not as effective without Chaplin — and without his energy up top I feel Ipswich would be a mid-table team. He has been that good for them.
Leif Davis (Ipswich)
The 23-year-old left-back has been Ipswich’s best player and the Geordie practically owns the left side of the pitch for the Tractor Boys.
Has nine assists so far this season and is simply scintillating.
I was at Elland Road, though, when he had a tough afternoon against his former club Leeds when his side were walloped 4-0.
However, that was just a bad day at the office. Although he is a full-back, his attacking numbers are higher than most wingers.
If Ipswich don’t go up, he will surely be in the Premier League next season.
Stephy Mavididi (Leicester)
The Foxes are winning the Championship at a canter and one of their star players has been without question the 25-year-old winger who came through the youth system at Arsenal — but ended up going to Juventus and Montpelier to really learn his trade.
Did have some EFL experience with loans at Charlton and Preston as well.
Lots of pace and up near the top of the assists charts, he has been tearing it up in English football’s second tier and does look a cut above many of his opponents.
Knows where the goal is too — and has nine to his name already this season, including a nice one I saw him score against Southampton at St Mary’s where he ripped them to shreds in an easy 4-1 win.
With the Foxes flying though, you would think they should be able to keep hold of him as their promotion to the Premier League is all but guaranteed.
Jaden Philogene (Hull)
Interviewed the winger a couple of months ago and he told me his ambition is to win the Ballon d’Or.
What a bold statement. But I like that from a 21-year-old — lots of confidence but also prepared to work hard to reach his goal.
Ok, he is millions or miles away from that as a Hull player right now — but has has been previously linked with moves to Liverpool, Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
Philogene came through the ranks at Aston Villa and many people thought he was going to get a look-in this season — but Unai Emery decided to let him move down into the Championship with Hull.
But in Liam Rosenior he has a manager who has shown a lot of faith in him and who is giving him lots of game time to develop.
I was impressed by his tricky skills and lots of pace when I saw him away at Birmingham — and he scored the decisive second goal.
He did get injured recently but up to that point he has been key to Hull’s strong start to the season.