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May 29, 2024
Leeds, Norwich, Sunderland, Hull, Huddersfield, Watford, and Plymouth could soon see their talented players jumping to the top flight.
Crysencio Summerville was substituted with 15 minutes remaining in Leeds’ Championship playoff final defeat against Southampton. Despite a disappointing performance at Wembley, Leeds’ inability to secure an immediate Premier League return means clubs will likely feel encouraged to pursue the young talent this summer. The 22-year-old Feyenoord academy product played a pivotal role this season, contributing to 29 goals—20 of which he scored himself, along with nine assists. He also showcased his skill by ranking third in the division for successful dribbles, totaling 101.
Leeds faces a tough battle to retain teenager Archie Gray, as his impressive performances have attracted significant attention from potential suitors. The 18-year-old had already drawn interest from various clubs before the Championship playoff final, and the team’s loss to Southampton has only increased speculation about his future. Gray concluded the season with 97 tackles, ranking 13th in the division, and made headlines by scoring on his debut for the England Under-21s in a 5-1 victory over Azerbaijan earlier this year. Coming from a family with deep roots at Leeds—his father, grandfather, and great uncle all played for the club (and Scotland), and his younger brother is currently in the club’s academy—keeping him may be challenging.
Gabriel Sara was one of just three players in the Championship to achieve double figures in both goals (13) and assists (12) this season, playing a crucial role in Norwich’s playoff push. However, their failure to overcome Leeds in the semi-finals means the Canaries will likely part ways with the 24-year-old this summer, with Crystal Palace reportedly monitoring his situation. The midfielder also ranked third in the division for key passes (121), enhancing his profile as a sought-after talent.
Despite Sunderland’s disappointing season, which saw them finish in 16th place, Jack Clarke emerged as one of the club’s standout performers, finishing as their top scorer. The former Leeds and Tottenham winger netted 16 goals and provided four assists while completing more dribbles (148) than any other player in the Championship this season. Although he has two years remaining on his contract, moving to Southampton in the top flight is possible.
Hull’s inability to reach the playoffs cost manager Liam Rosenior his job, and now the club risks losing several key players, including center-back Jacob Greaves. The 23-year-old had an impressive season, ranking second in the Championship for aerial duels won (183) and tenth for clearances (187), demonstrating his ability to be in the right place at the right time. Additionally, he averaged 76 passes per game, the ninth-highest in the division, further showcasing his defensive capabilities and playmaking potential.
Some at Aston Villa were taken aback when the club sold Jaden Philogene for £5 million in September. The 22-year-old winger had an impressive season, netting 12 goals and providing six assists. He also completed 87 dribbles, ranking fifth in the division. His stunning goal against Rotherham in February was a standout moment, propelling the young talent into the spotlight.
Plymouth secured their place in the Championship on the season’s final day, with Morgan Whittaker playing a pivotal role in their survival. He was involved in 27 of Plymouth’s 59 goals this season (45.8%), scoring 19 times himself. The 23-year-old notably exceeded his expected goals (xG) by 6.75, marking the largest overperformance in the division. New Plymouth manager Wayne Rooney will be keen for Whittaker to remain at the club for the next season.
At the beginning of the year, Aston Villa faced a decision between signing Morgan Rogers from Middlesbrough or Jonathan Rowe from Norwich. Ultimately, they opted for Rogers, but Rowe would be an excellent addition for Premier League clubs this summer. Despite suffering a hamstring injury in February that affected his performance in the final weeks, Rowe nonetheless succeeded in scoring 12 goals and dishing out two assists in a breakout season. Among the 200 players with 25 or more shots, his conversion rate of 21.4% ranked 11th in the league.
Following Huddersfield’s relegation to League One, several players are expected to depart this summer, with Sorba Thomas likely among them. He concluded the season with four goals and nine assists, which could have been higher if his teammates had been more clinical. In the Championship, only Ipswich’s Leif Davis (125) recorded more key passes than Thomas (123).
After making a significant impact off the bench early in the season, Yáser Asprilla became a regular starter during the campaign’s second half. Although Watford finished in 15th place, the 20-year-old midfielder did his part by scoring six goals and providing seven assists. He averaged 2.5 key passes per 90 minutes, ranking sixth in the division, while his average of 1.9 successful dribbles per 90 placed him 22nd. Asprilla has also been called to Colombia’s squad for the Copa América this summer, offering him an excellent opportunity to showcase his talent to top-flight clubs.
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