The 2026-27 Championship season begins on Friday, but which players should you be looking forward to watching in the competition? We’ve compiled a seven-man selection.
Often dubbed the most exciting league in football, the Championship is also among the least predictable domestic competitions to follow in Europe. A breeding ground for future stars, it’s been the perfect stage for young footballers to show off their talent before moving on to (or back into) top-flight football.
Ahead of the 2026-27 season, we’ve picked out seven players we’re excited to see play in the Championship this campaign. Some of them are better known than others, but nonetheless, we feel it could be an important season for all seven of our selections.
So, who made the cut?
Jarrod Bowen – West Ham United
Ethan Galbraith to join Championship rivals for a reported fee of £10 million this summer. True, it’s a lot of money for a player who’s played just one season of Championship football, but it could be a worthwhile investment.
Galbraith spent a single season with the Swans after signing from Leyton Orient last summer, but he was one of their most composed players in possession. Technically gifted, Galbraith displays a lot of calm on the ball.
He completed more passes per 90 than any other Swansea midfielder or forward in the Championship last season (49.6) but also regained possession from opponents the most in the squad (201).
A key part of Swansea’s build-up play in 2025-26, only Eom Ji-sung (4.4) averaged more shot-ending open-play sequence involvements per 90 than Galbraith (4.3) among Swans players.
The Northern Irish midfielder will start life as a Stoke player in the Championship with a game against Swansea on Saturday afternoon. He’ll be looking to show his quality and get his new club off to a promising start while reminding Swansea fans what they’re missing.
Lorent Tolaj – Bristol City
This will be a fourth successive season of progression for Othmane Maamma is a player Watford fans are very excited about seeing again in 2026-27. The only worry is that with plenty of clubs across Europe interested in taking him off the Hornets’ hands, he might not last the season in Hertfordshire.
Originally bought last summer as someone Watford wanted to slowly integrate into first-team action, Maamma made a name for himself at the Under-20 World Cup with Morocco, helping them win the trophy and earning himself the Golden Ball for the player of the tournament.
Maamma then made his Watford debut in November and tallied four goals and an assist in Championship action, with his 30 open-play chances created the fourth most at the club from his first appearance onwards.
The 20-year-old led the Championship rankings for take-ons per 90 (8.9), successful take-ons per 90 (2.9) and take-ons in the opposition’s half per 90 (6.5) last season when considering all players to play at least 800 minutes.
Watford have a great track record of elevating young stars and moving them on for big transfer fees – Maamma will undoubtedly be the next.
Mason Melia – Lincoln City
Eighteen-year-old Mason Melia is one to keep a close eye on in 2026-27. Lincoln City reportedly fought off a handful of clubs to bring him in on loan from Tottenham Hotspur for the season. Despite his young age and lack of experience, there are signs he could be an exciting prospect.
Before moving to Spurs, Melia made a name for himself in the League of Ireland Premier Division with St Patrick’s Athletic, where he scored 21 goals at an average of one every 202 minutes – the first of those came when he was just 15 years, 281 days old against UCD in June 2023.
After only making his Premier League 2 debut for Spurs in April, Melia scored three times in six appearances in the competition, including his first only three minutes after coming off the bench in the 3-2 win over West Ham on 4 April.
It might be a few months until Melia is trusted with a place in Lincoln’s starting XI, but he’s undoubtedly someone many have high hopes for.
Enjoy this? Add Opta Analyst as a preferred source by clicking here.
Subscribe to our football newsletter to receive exclusive weekly content. You should also follow our social accounts over on X, Instagram, TikTok and Facebook.
Seven Stars We’re Excited to Watch in the 2026-27 Championship Opta Analyst.
Hence then, the article about seven stars we re excited to watch in the 2026 27 championship was published today ( ) and is available on The Analyst ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Seven Stars We’re Excited to Watch in the 2026-27 Championship )
Also on site :
- Drew Barrymore’s 'Stylish' Sofa Is the Perfect 'Cozy' Living Room Upgrade, and It's $200 Off at Walmart
- Jack Harlow’s Official Online Store Drops New T-Shirts, Beanies, Hoodies & More: Shop the Best Merch Now
- Vera Bradley’s Quilted Mini Backpack ‘Holds All the Essentials’ for Travel and Errands, Now 50% Off at Amazon