As the 2025/26 English Championship season kicks off, anticipation is high for another thrilling campaign packed with fierce competition and breakout stars. Beyond the tactical battles and promotion races, this season promises a showcase of exceptional talent ready to make their mark. From seasoned campaigners hungry for Premier League glory to exciting young prospects eager to prove their potential, here are the best players to keep an eye on as they drive their teams forward in one of football’s most unpredictable and fiercely contested leagues.

Last Season’s Highest-Ranked Players

For the 2024/25 season, we ranked all Championship players using our Player Performance Index. The Player Performance Index is calculated based on the scoring system outlined below, generating each player’s aggregate season score.

For each match, points are awarded as follows:

• Team Win = 10 points per match won
• Player Goal = 25 points per goal
• Player Assist = 25 points per assist
• Player Hat Trick = 250-point bonus for scoring three goals in a single match
• Team Wins League = 500 points
• Player Wins League Top Scorer = 250 points
• Own Goal = -50 points per own goal
• Red Card = -50 points per red card

According to the index, the Championship’s standout player last season was Coventry City’s midfield maestro Matt Grimes. Grimes, who joined the Sky Blues in the January transfer window from Swansea City, will be looking to better last season’s play-off defeat to Sunderland and guide Coventry back to the Premier League for the first time in 25 years.

Another player highlighted by the Player Performance Index as one of the Championship’s key performers is Middlesbrough’s Hayden Hackney. The English midfielder, who has attracted plenty of attention from Premier League clubs over the summer, led all U23 midfielders worldwide for both progressive passes (494) and progressive carries (117), finishing with 196 more progressive actions than the second-place player.

With 10 of last season’s top 20 ranked players no longer playing in the Championship, the question remains: who will step up to fill the void?

Player Goals Spread Betting Market

Our Player Goals spread betting market is now live for the 2025/26 season!

Ipswich’s George Hirst and Norwich’s Josh Sargent currently top the list, with a spread of 13.5–15 goals predicted for the season. Close behind is Cameron Archer, who will be looking to thrive under Will Still’s attacking approach, with a spread of 13–14.5 goals.

Other players of note include Jay Stansfield, who will be hoping to quickly adapt to Championship football after netting 19 times in League One last season. The Blues’ record signing currently has a spread of 11–12.5 goals.

Mihailo Ivanović is another player to watch. The Serbian forward scored 12 goals in his debut season for Millwall and has impressed in pre-season, already netting four times. Millwall's frontman's spread is currently 12 - 14.5.

Sammie Szmodics of Ipswich Town is also not to be overlooked. The Irish international currently has a spread of 11–12.5 goals, but he netted a massive 27 times for Blackburn Rovers in the 2023/24 campaign. Will he exceed that total for Championship favourites Ipswich Town?

You can view our full list of Player Goals spreads for this year’s Championship HERE.