Sunderland wonderkids, Chelsea star: 15 exciting Championship youngsters

The Championship has seen some brilliant youngsters over the years, from Jude Bellingham coming through at Birmingham City to Archie Gray’s breakthrough campaign at Leeds United.

The second tier once again has a plethora of young talents on show, some of whom are plying their trade on loan at clubs in the Championship. Others are permanent members of teams in the division, and here at Football FanCast, we’ve looked at 15 of the most exciting Championship youngsters aged 21 or younger at the time of writing.

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1

Jobe Bellingham

Sunderland

Looking to follow in the footsteps of his older brother, Jobe Bellingham has been making a name for himself at Sunderland in recent years.

Still just 19 years of age, Bellingham swapped Birmingham for Sunderland in 2023, and the attacking midfielder isn’t far away from making 100 appearances for the Black Cats.

To reach that figure, Sunderland may need to be promoted in 2024/25, as this season could be Bellingham’s last in the Championship with Premier League sides previously circling.

2

Chris Rigg

Sunderland

Another extremely exciting young Sunderland midfielder catching the eye is Chris Rigg, who will turn 18 in June.

Coming through the Black Cats’ academy, he is attracting serious interest from Manchester United as a result of his starring displays in red and white, with the Red Devils looking to build for the future under INEOS.

Rigg has made already made more than 50 senior Sunderland appearances before his 18th birthday and looks destined for the top.

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3

Tom Fellows

West Brom

An exciting right-winger who could go on to play for England is Tom Fellows of West Brom, who has turned into something of an assists machine during the 2024/25 season.

He already had 10 Championship assists before the turn of the year and was wanted by Everton in January as a result. Should West Brom fail to win promotion, Fellows could be a wanted man once again.

4

Shea Charles

Sheffield Wednesday

Midfielder Shea Charles signed for Southampton in the Championship in 2023 and helped the Saints win promotion back to the Premier League at the first attempt.

However, the following year, Charles was loaned back to the second tier with Sheffield Wednesday and has been making a big impact at Hillsborough, so much so that rivals Sheffield United were looking at a move in January.

Charles was recalled by Southampton but then loaned back to Wednesday midway through the 2024/25 campaign.

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5

Wilfried Gnonto

Leeds United

Wilfried Gnonto made an impact in the Premier League after signing for Leeds United as a teenager back in 2022, when he was already an Italy international.

Now 21 years of age, Gnonto has made more than 100 appearances for the Whites and is into double figures for goal contributions in 2024/25.

6

Ben Doak

Middlesbrough

On loan from Liverpool, Ben Doak has impressed in what is his first full season playing senior football at Middlesbrough under Michael Carrick.

The winger has been a regular at the Riverside on the right-hand side, and like Gnonto, he is also into double figures for goal contributions.

Liverpool will surely be enjoying what they have seen from the 19-year-old in the Championship.

7

Luca Koleosho

Burnley

Luca Koleosho swapped Espanyol for Burnley in 2023 and was part of the side that suffered relegation from the top flight last season.

He did show his quality in glimpses and scored an early-season winner at Leeds United this term.

Still just 20 years of age, Koleosho can play on either wing and appears to be an exciting attacker at Turf Moor.

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8

Callum Doyle

Norwich City

Manchester City full-back Callum Doyle is now into his fourth EFL loan spell away from the Etihad, and appears to be going from strength to strength as he looks to become a Premier League regular.

After spells with Sunderland, Coventry City and Leicester City, Doyle is now with Norwich City and has been a regular at left-back at Carrow Road under Johannes Hoff Thorup.

9

Ollie Arblaster

Sheffield United

He may be sidelined through injury at this moment in time, but Sheffield United midfielder Ollie Arblaster appears to have a hugely bright future ahead of him.

The Blades ace came through the club’s academy and was a regular under Chris Wilder, making 12 Premier League appearances last season. Arblaster even captained United multiple times in 2024/25 before suffering a serious injury.

10

Alfie Gilchrist

Sheffield United

The Blades also have an exciting young defender on their books for 2024/25 in Alfie Gilchrist, winning the race to secure his services on loan from Chelsea last summer.

Since then, Gilchrist has been a regular at right-back at Bramall Lane in what has been his first full season as an ever-present figure at senior level.

Whether or not his long-term future is at Stamford Bridge remains to be seen, though.

11

Eliezer Mayenda

Sunderland

Wilson Isidor has been Sunderland’s main man in attack this season, but the Black Cats also have another exciting forward in Eliezer Mayenda.

The teenager scored his first goals for the club with a brace against Sheffield Wednesday in August and he also chipped in with five goal contributions over December and January.

12

Mateo Joseph

Leeds United

Similar to Mayenda at Sunderland, Mateo Joseph has also been playing second fiddle at Leeds. Currently backup to Joel Piroe, the Spaniard was tipped to have a breakthrough campaign at Elland Road, and to his credit, he has chipped in with goals and assists under Daniel Farke.

His development has been catching the eye in his native country, with Real Betis coming in with a big-money offer during the January transfer window.

13

Louie Barry

Hull City

During the first half of the 2024/25 season, Louie Barry was starring on loan at Stockport County in League One, scoring 15 goals in 23 games in the third tier.

As a result, Aston Villa recalled the 21-year-old winger and subsequently loaned him out to Hull City. It is the natural next step for Barry, who appears to be going from strength to strength in the EFL.

14

Bae Jun-ho

Stoke City

Versatile Stoke City gem Bae Jun-ho has played in a variety of positions ranging from a central midfielder to a centre-forward.

He has registered more assists than any other Potters player in the Championship and also contributes defensively, ranking in the 94th percentile for tackles and 90th percentile for blocks compared to his positional peers, as per FBref.

15

Andy Moran

Stoke City

Another exciting midfielder in Staffordshire is Andy Moran, who is currently on loan at Stoke from Brighton & Hove Albion. Already a full Republic of Ireland international, Moran was previously on loan at Blackburn Rovers and has scored four goals for the Potters in 2024/25.

He’ll be looking to become the next to break into the Seagulls’ first-team setup, with Moran capable of playing as an attacking midfielder, centre-midfielder or right-winger.

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