5 players from the Championship who could light up the Premier League in 2018/19
Making the step up from the Championship to the Premier League is never easy – there’s simply a gulf in quality between the two divisions that often catches players out. In 2017/18 we’ve seen the likes of Aaron Mooy, Anthony Knockaert and Jamaal Lascelles successfully make the step up, while others such as Dwight Gayle have struggled.
With the Championship now over and only the playoffs remaining to decide the final promoted team, which players could make the step up and succeed in 2018/19? Whether they come up via one of the promoted teams or if they’re signed by an existing Premier League side, it’s worth keeping your eye on these five players.
#1 Jack Grealish
After a bit of a sticky start, Steve Bruce’s Aston Villa side finished the season relatively impressively, ending up in 4th position – a huge improvement on last year’s 13th place finish. They now face Middlesbrough in the semi-finals of the playoffs. Part of the reason for their success this year has undoubtedly been the form of their young attacking midfielder Jack Grealish.
A local kid brought up not far from Villa’s home area, Grealish first rose to fame in 2014/15, playing a large role in helping Tim Sherwood’s Villa side make the FA Cup final that season. It seemed like the sky was the limit for the youngster but personal issues and some questionable lifestyle choices curbed his development and he struggled badly in Villa’s first season in the Championship.
Under Steve Bruce, however, Grealish has risen back to prominence. An issue with his kidneys sidelined him for the first part of 2017/18 but since his return he seems to have turned a new page in his career and he’s been on fire. Since the start of 2018 he’s assisted in 5 goals and has scored 3, and was easily Villa’s most impressive performer in key games against Birmingham City and Leeds United.
A phenomenal dribbler with the ability to use both feet and ghost past defenders as if they’re not there, Grealish finally seems to be living up to the potential he showed three years ago. He could return to the Premier League if Villa win the playoffs but if that doesn’t happen, a move to the top division is still likely as Newcastle and Leicester have both been linked with him. Expect him to make a lot of noise in 2018/19 if he does indeed return.