The quality of the Championship, the second tier in English football, has vastly improved over the last few years. This has been proven this season with Sheffield United who have had a lot of success in the Premier League, after being promoted following the 2018/19 campaign.
There are a host of players who will be hoping to make the step-up to the Premier League this summer, either with their current club of via a transfer. Here is a look at three men who look ready to feature in the top flight.
Aleksandar Mitrovic
Fulham’s Aleksandar Mitrovic heads the Championship goalscoring charts this season with 23 goals to his name. The powerful forward has been a key reason as to why the West London club are third in the table and still in with a shot at automatic promotion.
By the time the season is up, Mitrovic’s tally could be over 30. He has been a nightmare for many Championship defenses in the campaign as they have just not been able to handle him.
If the Cottagers fail to get promoted via a top-two position or the playoffs, they are going to have a difficult job keeping hold of the Serbian striker.
Mitrovic has some experience of the Premier League with Newcastle and Fulham. His goal return this season certainly proves he is worth somebody taking a punt on him in one of the most lucrative leagues in the world.
Matheus Pereira
One of the stars of the Championship this season has been West Brom’s Matheus Pereira. The Baggies have been fortunate to have the Brazilian’s services on loan from Sporting Lisbon.
West Brom have been prolific scorers this year and Pereira’s has played a big hand, assisting 13 of theirs goals in the campaign. The 24-year-old winger has also scored five times himself.
The leagues leaders are the favorites in the Championship betting for the title. If they are able to get over the line in their promotion push, they will surely work hard to ensure Pereira comes back to The Hawthorns next season.
After a number of loan moves, Pereira may be looking for a permanent home and the chance to play in the Premier League might be enough to persuade him to return to England.
Said Benrahma
Since moving to Brentford from Nice in 2017, Said Benrahma has scored over 20 goals in England. The Algerian has impressed so much this season that a number of Premier League clubs are thought to be preparing a swoop for him this summer.
Chelsea are one of the clubs which have been linked with the ‘Algerian Messi’. They are likely to lose Pedro and William once their contracts expire later this year, so Benrahma would be a great addition for Frank Lampard.
While Benrahma did play in Ligue 1 for Nice, the Premier League would be the highest level he would feature in, if he made it there next season for the Bees or elsewhere.
For now, the above three players will be doing everything they can to ensure their campaign ends with promotion for their respective clubs.