Top 10 EFL Championship players who deserve a Premier League move including Bryan Mbeumo, Joao Pedro and Emiliano Buendia

Eberechi Eze, Said Benrahma and Ollie Watkins are just a few who shone in the EFL Championship last campaign, all warranting big money moves to Premier League clubs. 

The likes of James Maddison and Jude Bellingham have also flourished in the second tier and moved on to bigger and better things as a result. With an excess number of stars available in the second tier, TIBS News has narrowed it down to ten of the most poignant prospects that are imminent for a move to the top flight.

1, Bryan Mbeumo – Brentford

Deadly left foot, obscene dribbling ability and finesse – Bryan Mbeumo has the potential to go right to the top. The 21-year-old Frenchman has been a breath of fresh air since arriving back in August 2019. He was directly involved in 23 goals in 39 appearances for the Bees last campaign, being the final piece of the jigsaw for Thomas Frank’s much-feared front-three that was nicknamed ‘BMW’.

Mbeumo went under the radar considering his absurd output last campaign; the lights were shone on Algerian deadeye Benrahma and English finisher Watkins. Two thirds of ‘BMW’ were snatched by Premier League outfits with Watkins joining Aston Villa and Benrahma going to West Ham. Team-mate Pontus Jansson claimed: ‘Bryan is probably a bigger talent than both of them.’ 

With the arrival of Ivan Toney and the newly improved Marcus Forss, we hope to see Bryan Mbeumo link up with his new team mates as gracefully as he did with Ollie Watkins and Said Benrahma. If he provides a similar output to last season, it’s certain Mbeumo will secure a move to the Premier League.

2. Lucas Joao – Reading

Lucas Joao has had a sublime start to life in Reading. The Portuguese talisman has netted 12 times for the Royals in 27 appearances. He’s the third top goalscorer in the division with six at the time of writing. The Royals’ forward has also chipped in with three assists, securing third in the most goals and assists chart.

He joined Reading on a four-year deal three days after scoring against them whilst leading the line for Sheffield Wednesday. 

Standing at 6ft 4in, Joao is extremely versatile and is surprisingly mobile with his feet. He mixes up his game by getting in behind to pose a threat in the air and comes short to receive the ball to feet. 

His goalscoring tally over the years has been fairly stale, but he’s hit the ground running at the Madejski Stadium. A Premier League move is looking imminent.

3. Joao Pedro – Watford

Joao Pedro has been immense since the start of the 2020-21 campaign. The Brazilian youngster signed for the Hornets from Fluminese back in January, and Watford haven’t looked back since.

Deemed as the ‘Richarlison re-gen’, Pedro is frighteningly similar to the Everton No 7, in terms of the characteristics he possesses on the pitch as well as his career pathway off it.

Watford were in a relegation scrap at the back end of last season, meaning the 19-year-old was limited to five appearances off the bench. 

Since being a starter for Vladimir Ivic, he’s shown glimpses of being world class in a yellow and black shirt – leading the frontline at the tender age of 19.

The Brazilian has made 11 appearances so far this campaign, providing four goals – and unfortunate to add to that tally in some games. If Pedro continues his fine form, he will inevitably finish the season around the 20-goal mark and will be on a plethora of Premier League clubs’ transfer targets.

4. Christian Norgaard – Brentford

Brentford anchor Christian Norgaard was vital in the Bees’ dominant 2019-20 Championship campaign, narrowly missing out on promotion in the play-off final against Fulham. 

The Danish international is integral to Thomas Frank’s system playing as their holding midfielder. Not afraid to receive the ball in tight areas, tidy in possession and willing to break lines with passes, Norgaard transitions defence to attack rapidly.

Brentford will have to improvise for the next eight weeks as Norgaard picked up an ankle injury last month. Arguably the Championship’s best holding midfielder, we’re likely to see Norgaard in the top-flight sooner rather than later, as he approaches the peak of his career.

5. Emiliano Buendia – Norwich City

The fact not one Premier League club picked up Emiliano Buendia in the summer window is nothing short of mind-blowing.

Buendia contributed to eight goals and 12 assists in the 2018-19 Championship season followed by one goal and seven assists in 2019-20, while in the Premier League. 

The latter in the top flight, was where Buendia showed the world what he’s about. The Argentine established himself as one of the best creators in the division, cementing himself in the top-five from open play, in a struggling Norwich side who were in disarray for half of the season. 

Predominately a right-attacking midfielder, Buendia can be deployed as a No 10, creating countlessly from open play as well as set-pieces.

The 23-year-old has shown his potential in the second tier this time around, already contributing to a goal and three assists in eight matches for Norwich City. 

The Championship will be a breeze for the Canaries’ midfielder and it’ll be extraordinary to see him in the second tier next season, regardless if Norwich attain promotion or not.

6. Tyrese Campbell – Stoke City

Tyrese Campbell has been outstanding for Stoke City since breaking through at the age of 18. He’s started this season as he means to go on, firing three goals in 10 games for the Potters. As a result he has been nominated for October’s Championship Player of the Month. 

The 20-year-old has hit fine form over the past few weeks and is incredibly versatile, playing anywhere across the frontline or as a No 10. 

During October, he assisted goals against Birmingham City, Luton and Brentford. Campbell found the back of the net against Barnsley and Brentford too. 

In nominating him for the October gong, the EFL said: ‘Four goals and two assists in six games fail to capture fully the 20-year-old’s natural footballing intelligence. Playing as a wide striker, his sense of when and how to deliver a cross is uncanny, while his finishing was seen by a curler against Brentford.’

We are yet to see the best of Campbell; he has time to develop and would suit the likes of Leeds United or Crystal Palace.

7. George Savile – Middlesbrough

Another underrated EFL veteran goes by the name of George Savile. Left-footed, versatile and reliable; Middlesbrough’s architect has come alive again since the appointment of Neil Warnock – simply dictating the entirety of games, week-in, week-out. 

A run of games in his strongest position has been beneficial in finding his form again this campaign, scoring the winner against Bristol City and heading home against Cardiff City. Clubs in the top flight would be silly to not keep tabs on Boro’s ‘Mr Reliable’. 

8. Ismaila Sarr – Watford

Senegalese international Ismaila Sarr is one of the most prominent prospects in the division. The 22-year-old has the world at his feet – he possesses height, lightning acceleration and has now added goals to his game after being on penalty duty for the Hornets. 

Prior to the last couple months, Sarr has been criticised for his lack of end product, however, he’s responded to critiques by scoring three times and providing one assist at the time of writing. We expect him to increase his career goals per game average of 0.20 by a significant amount this campaign. 

There’s an inevitability behind a Sarr transfer regardless of whether he stays with his current club or not. The Senegalese winger simply doesn’t belong in the EFL Championship.

9. Daniel Bentley – Bristol City

The Bristol City shot-stopper opted for a move from Brentford in the summer of 2019 on a four-year contract, a decision that has proved vital from the Robins. 

Bentley epitomises the modern day keeper, with lightning-fast reactions and pin-point distribution being his standout traits.

He has started the season sharply again, being named man-of-the-match in a 2-1 win earlier this season against Nottingham Forest.  

The Bristol City No 1 may be deemed as a Championship veteran now, having played 169 times thus far in the division. It may well be the right time for the 27-year-old to move on to fulfil his potential in the top flight.

10. Gustavo Hamer – Coventry City

Coventry City have experienced a serious reality check since being promoted from League One last season. 

The Sky Blues have struggled to build any sort of momentum so far this season, sitting one place below the drop. 

From their opening 11 games, they’re top of the chart for most goals conceded with 23. Despite being unconvincing as a whole, Coventry have discovered a gem in the name of Gustavo Hamer. 

The midfielder seems to have adapted to the division in no time, showcasing his dazzling ability on the ball. The Dutch maestro is deemed to be the best passer in the second tier and can chip in with the odd goal. Hitting the back of the net twice in his opening eight matches for the Sky Blues, Hamer is most definitely one to watch for the remainder of the season and will inevitably be on Premier League clubs’ radar.

By Ben Haywood