The second tier of English football has seen a dramatic increase in the quality of football over the last decade.
Clubs once famous for their European exploits are now rebuilding in the Championship with sides like Aston Villa, Derby County, Nottingham Forest and Leeds United all looking to get back to the top flight this season.
Hidden within some of these squads are young, talented players that could end up being the next big thing in the English game.
With that in mind, Squawka Football takes a look at 10 Championship wonderkids that could turn out to be future stars:
Dean Henderson
Club: Sheffield United (on loan from Manchester United)
Age: 21
Position: Goalkeeper
Dean Henderson is the latest goalkeeping prospect to come out of the Old Trafford production line. Known for his shot stopping ability, the 21-year-old made himself a hero at Shrewsbury Town last season as he helped the Shropshire outfit finish third in League One.
His off the field personality also helps his popularity and a move to Sheffield United in the Championship is the perfect opportunity for him to continue the impressive progress that has seen him represent England at U21 level and below.
Bailey Peacock-Farrell
Club: Leeds United
Age: 21
Position: Goalkeeper
Leeds have started the new season in fine fettle and coming up through their ranks is Darlington born stopper, Bailey Peacock-Farrell. The goalkeeper has been ever present so far this season and his reputation is growing.
Many expect the 21-year-old to make a big impact over the coming years at Elland Road as the club look to make a return to the top flight for the first time since 2005.
Ezri Konsa
Club: Brentford
Age: 20
Position: Centre-back
Konsa is a product of the Charlton Athletic youth system having come through the ranks at the Valley to be a key player for the Addicks last season. With all the off the field turmoil surrounding the club, it was only a matter of time before he moved on.
Brentford came calling this summer and they could be the perfect fit for the ball playing central defender. Their style certainly suits his ability and Dean Smith has a good record of getting the best out of young players with Ollie Watkins another player who has excelled since signing from a lower division.
At 20-years-old Konsa already has over 70 professional appearances under his belt and has represented England at both U20 & U21 level. Definitely a prospect to keep an eye on.
Reece James
Club: Wigan Athletic (on loan from Chelsea)
Age: 18
Position: Full-back
Reece James is a highly rated full-back on loan from Chelsea. At just 18-years-old he is already an exciting prospect and playing for an attacking Wigan side in the Championship will help him improve and gain experience.
He has represented England at U18, U19 and U20 level and will be a player worth watching in the second tier this season.
Bersant Celina
Club: Swansea City
Age: 21
Position: Midfield
Celina grew up in Norway before joining the Manchester City academy. He represented Norway at youth level before deciding to play for the nation of his ancestors, Kosovo.
He joined Swansea for £3m in July after impressing on loan at Ipswich and Dutch side FC Twente. Given the chance to play regularly he should easily continue to develop, having already netted seven goals in 32 appearances for Ipswich last season.
Mason Mount
Club: Derby County (on loan from Chelsea)
Age: 19
Position: Midfield
Having impressed whilst on loan with Vitesse last season, a lot is expected of Mason Mount under the guidance of Frank Lampard at Derby County in 2018/19.
The 19-year-old scored nine times in 29 appearances for the Dutch side last season and will play at the heart of a young Derby side during this campaign. He has represented England at U16, U17, U18 and U19 level and is one of Chelsea’s hottest prospects.
Trevoh Chalobah
Club: Ipswich Town (on loan from Chelsea)
Age: 19
Position: Midfield
Brother of Nathaniel, who’s now at Watford, Trevoh is the latest of the Chalobah brothers to come through the ranks at Chelsea. The midfielder, still only 19, is another of the Blues’ top young prospects and a season playing a key role with the Tractor Boys will help him get used to the pressure of playing at a big club on the professional stage.
Having captained England at U17 and U19 level, he was part of the side that won the 2017 U19 European Championships. A bright future awaits.
Harry Wilson
Club: Derby County (on loan from Liverpool)
Age: 21
Position: Winger
Harry Wilson is another young prospect looking to get some first team action with Derby this season. Having been unable to force his way into Jurgen Klopp’s reckoning with a Liverpool team full of world class talent, Wilson will be hoping a season in the Championship will be just the ticket to help him improve.
Frank Lampard will be hoping that Wilson is able to replicate the same form that saw him bag 7 goals in just 13 appearances while on loan at a struggling Hull City side last season.
Harvey Barnes
Club: WBA (on loan from Leicester City)
Age: 20
Position: Midfield
The exciting winger has lit up the Hawthorns with some promising displays and some great goals so far this season.
West Brom’s 7-1 victory over QPR saw the 20-year-old net his second goal of the season so far. Barnes is actually the son of former York City man Paul Barnes and his goals could fire West Brom to promotion this season.
Ben Woodburn
Club: Sheffield United (on loan from Liverpool)
Age: 18
Position: Forward
18-year-old Ben Woodburn has already made 11 appearances for Liverpool after making his debut in 2016/17, becoming the second youngest debutant in the Premier League history of the club. The plethora of attacking options for Jürgen Klopp’s side has limited his opportunities with the Reds, but a move to Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United could be the chance for the young attacker to show what he can do.
Woodburn made his first league start for Sheffield United in their 2-1 victory over Norwich City on Saturday.
The post 10 best Championship wonderkids to watch appeared first on Squawka News.
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