All 24 EFL Championship clubs' best centre-midfielder ranked from best to worst | OneFootball

FLW rank the top 24 Championship midfielders.

The Championship has once again thrown up an amazing season of football.

At the top of the division, Leeds United and Burnley have snatched promotion from Sheffield United, while a captivating play-off race has unfolded just behind them. Sunderland have emerged as the surprise contenders, while Luton Town have been the underachievers, struggling at the bottom of the table.

It’s been a season full of drama, and with the end in sight, Football League World has compiled the definitive rankings of Championship midfielders.

We’ve analysed the statistics, evaluated performances, and used the eye test to bring you the top 24 midfielders in the Championship.

1 Josh Brownhill

Burnley

For several years now, it has been clear that Josh Brownhill is of Premier League quality, and he has been the driving force behind the Clarets' promotion season.

Capable of featuring in any midfield role, this season he has scored 16 goals and provided five assists as he leads his side’s charge to return to the top flight.

His underlying statistics are equally impressive - aside from outperforming his xG by 7.60, he has created chances for his teammates and relentlessly pressed the opposition to win back possession.

Right now, he is the clear frontrunner for the best midfielder in the Championship, and if he leaves Burnley when his contract expires, it will be a real blow for the Turf Moor faithful.

2 Ao Tanaka

Leeds United

The signing of the summer and the man coming in second place is Ao Tanaka.

As per The Athletic, Tanaka was signed by Leeds United for £2.95 million in the summer, and he has certainly justified that fee with his performances on the pitch.

In his 41 league appearances for the Whites, he has showcased a technical ability rarely seen in the second tier. He controls the game from a deep-lying position, and when out of possession, he has a natural ability to read the game, often winning the ball back with ease.

A Premier League player? Almost certainly, and Daniel Farke will need him next season if his side are to secure their top-flight status.

Sheffield United

Taking third place in the list is Sheffield United's creator-in-chief, Gustavo Hamer.

The 27-year-old has been playing out of position on the left-wing, but it is in the middle of the park where he truly excels.

This season he has been directly involved in 16 goals, and it is fair to say that when he is not in that team, the Blades just don't pose the same threat.

The Premier League is where he belongs and for Sheffield United's sake, they will need to secure promotion to keep him.

4 Jason Knight

Bristol City

Coming in fourth place is Jason Knight, who, according to FotMob's rating system, has been the 11th best player in the division this season.

Knight has excelled all across the pitch, and it’s remarkable to see how involved one player can be in both the attacking and defensive phases. In the final third, he has contributed eight goal involvements and created 57 chances for his teammates. At the other end of the pitch, he has made 282 recoveries, won 74 aerial duels, and claimed 251 duels, to name just a few of his key statistics.

His performances have led FLW's Bristol City pundit to suggest a fee of "upwards of £15 million" for his sale, and this seems fair given his standout displays.

Of course, the 24-year-old's primary goal will be to help secure promotion with City this season, but if that doesn’t come to fruition, he will surely be moved on for a substantial fee.

5 Hayden Hackney

Another player who has been in fine form is Hayden Hackney.

The Riverside academy graduate has begun to turn his potential into consistent performances, and if Michael Carrick's side were higher up in the table, he would undoubtedly be receiving much more praise.

An England Under-21 international, Hackney contributes at both ends of the pitch. Going forward, he has created 60 chances, completed 144 accurate long balls, and scored five goals from an xG of 4.11. Defensively, he has made 276 recoveries, completed 54 tackles, and won 207 duels, according to FotMob.

He looks like the future for the Three Lions, and it’s hard to see him not making a move to the Premier League this summer.

6 Matt Grimes

Matt Grimes was the Sky Blues' marquee signing in January and Swansea City supporters were devastated to see him leave.

Arguably the best passer in the second tier, his 91% passing accuracy and 3,195 successful passes this season are a testament to his exceptional ability. This has not been a one-season wonder either; since breaking into Swansea's side in 2018-19, he has been a standout performer and that has continued at the CBS Arena.

A top five wouldn't be complete without him and Coventry supporters will know just how lucky they are to have him.

7 Barry Bannan

Sheffield Wednesday

Possibly the most influential player in the EFL over the past decade, Barry Bannan, now 35, still warrants a place in this top 24.

This season, he has been pivotal in helping Sheffield Wednesday push for the play-offs, and although it appears they will just miss out, he has continued to deliver outstanding performances.

In terms of contributions, he has provided four goals and five assists, with his possession-based statistics still exceptional for a player of his age.

The real question is when will Bannan begin to slow down, as, for now, he continues to mirror the brilliant form he has showcased for multiple seasons.

8 Jobe Bellingham

Sunderland

The player with arguably the most potential on this list comes in the form of Jobe Bellingham.

The 19-year-old made a solid introduction to Championship football last season and has taken his game to new heights this campaign.

A physically commanding yet elegant player, he is very similar in mould to his brother and Manchester United and Chelsea have both been linked with a move for his services.

He is now at a point where he deserves a move to the top flight and if Sunderland can't provide this, the summer will surely see him leave the Black Cats.

9 Ebou Adams

Derby County

Ebou Adams made a permanent move to Derby County in the summer after a successful loan spell from Cardiff City and has been one of the few bright spots in an otherwise difficult campaign for the Rams.

His six goals make him the club's second-top scorer, while his impressive defensive stats - 2.44 tackles per game, 8.32 duels won per 90 minutes, and 1.37 interceptions - help protect the defence.

It's somewhat of a shame that he's battling relegation with Derby, as his performances deserve to be with a team competing at the top end of the table.

10 Imran Louza

Watford

Imrân Louza has been one of Watford’s standout performers this season, consistently showcasing the quality the Hornets knew he possessed when they signed him for €10 million back in 2021.

Arguably one of the most composed midfielders in the Championship, his technical ability and calmness on the ball are superior to many of his peers. Without him, Watford would likely find themselves much lower in the table.

A list of the Championship's best midfielders is rarely complete without Alex Mowatt, and this season is no exception.

The 30-year-old has been a regular starter for a West Bromwich Albion side chasing a play-off spot, and, as always, he has contributed at both ends of the pitch. However, his standout statistic is that he has outperformed his expected goals of 2.59 by an impressive 4.41, with seven goals to his name so far this season. This is largely due to his knack for scoring long-range strikes, with four of his goals coming from outside the box.

This time around, Mowatt will be hoping to help his side secure a Premier League spot, and if his form continues, they certainly stand a chance.

12 Marcelino Nunez

Norwich City

Norwich City's Chilean midfielder became a hero last season when he scored the winner in the East Anglian Derby, and his performances throughout the season have earned him a spot on this list.

A technically gifted player, when at his best, he has the ability to dominate a game with his passing, which is among the finest in the second tier. This year, he has built on his debut campaign in England, and had it not been for injuries, he could well have propelled the Canaries much closer to the play-offs.

13 Jordan Clark

Luton Town

Luton Town may have endured a season to forget, but Jordan Clark has been a model of consistency, emerging as one of the few bright sparks in the Hatters' side.

A player who both creates and scores goals, he has registered five goals and five assists this season, while also contributing solidly on the defensive front.

For a player signed on a free transfer, he has proven to be an outstanding servant to the club.

Blackburn Rovers

Sondre Tronstad's importance to Blackburn Rovers becomes all the more apparent when he’s not in the side.

A midfield linchpin alongside Lewis Travis, the Norwegian is a rock in front of the defence, combining defensive grit with calmness and intelligence in possession.

His two seasons at Rovers have been nothing short of outstanding, and were it not for the brilliance of others, he’d rank higher on this list.

15 Casper de Norre

Millwall

Casper De Norre has been a key figure in Millwall’s midfield this season, making valuable contributions at both ends of the pitch.

A slick and intelligent passer, he helps Alex Neil’s side transition smoothly from defence to attack, while also providing crucial support to a resilient backline. His tally of 66 interceptions – the highest of any midfielder in the Championship – is a clear testament to his importance.

The Belgian looks set to remain a pivotal part of the Lions’ midfield for years to come.

16 Lewis O'Brien

Swansea City

One of the few loanees to make our list, Lewis O’Brien has been hugely impressive for Swansea City since his temporary switch from Nottingham Forest in January.

Composed in possession and never shy of putting in a challenge, we've seen flashes of the O’Brien who made such an impression during his time at Huddersfield Town. He’s hinted at a possible return in the summer – a prospect that would surely delight Swans supporters.

17 Steven Alzate

Steven Alzate joined Hull City in the summer following his departure from Brighton and has been nothing short of a revelation in the Tigers' midfield.

When fit and available, he’s been a guaranteed starter, with his performances in the second half of the season proving instrumental in helping Hull steer clear of the relegation zone.

Acun Ilicali will likely give Ruben Selles a strong backing in the summer and building around a player of Alzate’s calibre could be key to mounting a stronger league campaign.

18 Stefan Thordarson

Preston North End

Stefan Thordarson has enjoyed a solid introduction to English football following his summer move from Silkeborg.

A full Iceland international, he’s shown glimpses of real quality despite some inconsistency. At his best, his dynamic, box-to-box style has caused real problems for opposition midfields.

Thordarson recently admitted he’s still adapting to the demands of the league and getting to grips with Paul Heckingbottom’s approach – but once it all clicks, he could prove to be a real asset.

19 Jonathan Varane

QPR

Another summer signing to make the list is Queens Park Rangers' Jonathan Varane.

The French midfielder took some time to adapt to the demands of the league, but once settled, he’s been a revelation under Martí Cifuentes. Ranking in the top 10% for duels, duel success rate, interceptions and recoveries, the numbers speak for themselves – and he looks set to be a key figure at Loftus Road for years to come.

20 Lewis Baker

Stoke City

Lewis Baker spent the first half of the 2024/25 season on loan at Blackburn Rovers, but returned to Stoke City in January at the request of new head coach Mark Robins.

This campaign, he’s chipped in with seven goals and two assists across 30 Championship appearances, proving to be a real threat in the opposition’s box.

While he may never have quite lived up to the early hype from his Chelsea days, Baker remains a dependable and effective midfielder at second-tier level.