With the January transfer window open, we take a look at five players who could be on the move this month from each of the English Football League’s divisions. From young prospects to in-form stars, we look outside the box a little to bring you our selection from Championship clubs.
By Nathan Evans
(All stats correct as of 04th January.)
Jacob Greaves – Hull City
After making over 150 first-team appearances for childhood club Hull City, 23-year-old Jacob Greaves has now developed into one of the Championship’s best all-round central defenders. As a result, he is again subject to interest from a number of Premier League clubs, according to reports, with a move away from MKM Stadium seeming feasible in January.
Equally as confident with the ball at his feet and he is with his positioning, anticipation and awareness, no center back in the competition this season has won more than his 164 successful duels to this point. That tally has in particular been aided by his aerial ability with Hull’s three-time ‘Young Player of the Year’ winning 69.4% of his aerial duels in addition.
With three assists to his name – the most of any central defender in England’s second-flight – Greaves has the skill set to operate as an elite ball-playing defender. His 16 chances created is also a league-high for his position, whilst his 2314 touches of the ball in general highlight his eagerness to get on the ball whenever possible. Due to that, and his young age to boot, expect a number of suitors to express interest in signing him this winter.
Morgan Whittaker – Plymouth Argyle
When Morgan Whittaker signed permanently for Plymouth for just £1million over the summer, few could have expected just how well he would settle into life as a Championship player. But with 13 goals, five assists and three man-to-the-match awards to his name so far, the former Swansea City and Derby County winger has been one of the division’s highest performers.
Currently in second spot for this season’s Golden Boot in the league, Whittaker has helped his newly-promoted side to keep well clear of the drop zone so far, especially due to his attacking output. As of the turn of the year, the 22-year-old has attempted more shots (106) and shots on target (39) than any other player in his position, whilst he ranks in the top 10% of wide midfielders for touches in the opposition’s penalty area (92), successful dribbles (45) and chances created (36) which all highlight why he’s already being linked with a potential move away from Home Park over the next month.
Jonathan Rowe – Norwich City
According to reports, Norwich City rejected a £15 million bid from Wolves in the summer for winger Jonathan Rowe and due to his performances ever since, that can only be viewed as a brilliant decision. With ten goals and two assists to his name across 24 Championship appearances so far this term, not only has the 20-year-old proved himself as a star at Carrow Road but he’s also operating as one of the best wide players in the league.
That’s ignited plenty of interest from Premier League clubs this January, especially as Rowe not only performs strongly in an attacking sense but is also able to help his side through his defensive output
With 126 duels won, 20 successful tackles and 11 interceptions this campaign, the 20-year-old is an all-round menace on the wing, whilst his 14 ball recoveries in the final third also emphasis his pressing qualities which could aid a big move away from Norfolk this winter.
Matt Grimes – Swansea City
After moving to Swansea City all the way back in January 2015, from Exeter, central midfielder Matt Grimes has gone on to make over 250 club appearances for the Welsh side – which has culminated in him captaining his side again this season.
With a hefty amount of time left on his contract, any potential suitors this winter may find it difficult to acquire his services but if they do, they’ll get a fantastic ball-playing midfielder who tends to heavily influence most of the matches that he features in. With 2479 touches and 1942 successful passes to his name this season, fewer players have been in possession of the ball as much as Grimes, and with two goals and four assists recorded in the process, he offers plenty of productivity from the centre of the park.
That doesn’t mean that the former England youth international shuns his defensive responsibilities though, as his 166 ball recoveries can attest to – a tally which ranks him within the top 5% of all players in his position in the Championship this term. Grimes also remains extremely efficient in winning his duels with a 60.7% success rate overall, another part of his game that interested clubs will have taken a keen interest in.
Daniel Ballard – Sunderland
After leaving boyhood club Arsenal for the Stadium of Light back in the summer of 2022, Daniel Ballard has grown into one of Sunderland’s most important players as they look to finally seal promotion back to the Premier League.
Starting all but one of his side’s 26 Championship matches this campaign, Ballard has racked up a 7.24 average FotMob rating for his performances, whilst looking strong at both ends of the field. As well as his consistent defensive performances which we’ll get to, his three goals from set pieces highlight that he can also influence matches in an attacking sense, especially as his tally of 48 touches in the opposition’s box and 26 attempted shots can only be bettered by a few other centre backs in the competition.
But it’s obviously in his defending where Ballard has looked a class above the rest this term, which could see a club higher up the English pyramid enquire about obtaining his services this winter.
This season, the defender has won 150 duels overall and has recovered possession for his side on 144 occasions, both figures at the higher end of the spectrum. His seven blocks have also helped Sunderland to keep eight clean sheets in the league and to concede just 1.1 goals per match on average, the fourth-lowest such tally in the division.
(Images from IMAGO)
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