The Championship is an incredible division of football. It’s fiercely competitive and provides a great platform for young players to hone their skills. For Premier League clubs, it is a great place to send their talented youngsters to help prepare them for their careers in the top flight.
As per usual, this year has been no exception to Premier League loanees making a name for themselves in the second tier. There have been some brilliant campaigns from these individuals and it ponders the question what the summer could have in store for them.
Amad Diallo - Sunderland (On loan from Manchester United)
The Ivorian attacker has had a fantastic campaign with play-off chasing Sunderland on loan from Manchester United. After a hugely disappointing loan with Rangers last season, Diallo has really taken off on Wearside with some mesmerising performances and some cracking goals too. With 12 goals and two assists in the league for the Black Cats, Diallo has been one of the most exciting players to watch this year.
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Given United paid £37 million to Atalanta two years ago, it is doubtful they would be looking to sell the youngster in the summer as they wouldn’t recoup the money that they paid. It has even been reported that Erik ten Hag is eager to have Diallo involved with his squad next season as Sunderland were hoping to retain his services.
Cameron Archer/Aaron Ramsey - Middlesbrough (On loan from Aston Villa)
Aston Villa youngsters Archer and Ramsey have had profitable spells with Middlesbrough this term, helping thrust Michael Carrick’s side into the promotion picture. Ramsey spent the first half of the campaign at Norwich and across both spells he has scored eight goals and provided four assists.
Archer has picked up right where he left off following his loan stint at Preston North End last term, scoring eight and assisting six for Boro in the Championship since his arrival in January. Both seem like players who could have a future at Villa Park but as of right now places in the side are hard to get. We could see them both loaned out again or perhaps sold if Villa were to qualify for European football this year to raise funds for higher calibre players.
Charlie Cresswell - Millwall (On loan from Leeds United)
Charlie Cresswell has long been labelled as a prize of Leeds United’s academy and the 20-year-old has gained valuable experience with play-off hopefuls Millwall. Given how poorly his parent club are at defending in the Premier League the centre-back could walk straight into the side next year no matter what division they are in.
Ryan Giles - Middlesbrough (On loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Like Archer and Ramsey, Ryan Giles has had a productive season with Boro on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers. The left-back boasts a wand of a left foot which grants him an extraordinary crossing ability, an ability which has seen him rack up 11 assists in the Championship. It is hard to understand how he has not yet had a chance in the Wolves side given their struggles in the top flight in recent years. A lot of clubs would be interested in taking him on loan next or perhaps even permanently, especially if Boro were to get promoted.
Nathan Tella /Taylor Harwood-Bellis/Jordan Beyer/Ian Maatsen - Burnley (On loan from Southampton, Manchester City, Borussia Monchengladbach and Chelsea respectively)
This quartet have enjoyed remarkable success with Burnley in 2022-23. They have each played an integral part in the Clarets’ instant return to the Premier League under forward-thinking coach Vincent Kompany.
Winger Nathan Tella has been brilliant on loan from Southampton, scoring 17 goals and registering five assists. With Southampton facing relegation from the Premier League, there is a chance that he could secure a permanent switch to Turf Moor with Kompany a big admirer.
Taylor Harwood-Bellis has been tipped for a big future at Manchester City but there is no denying that he has a tough task of breaking into the first team with the defenders he would be challenging. Given Kompany’s legendary status at centre-back with City, Harwood-Bellis might like to remain at Burnley to learn directly from one of the Premier League’s greatest defenders.
Jordan Beyer has been most impressive during his loan spell from Borussia Monchengladbach. The young defender has expressed his delight to be playing in English football and definitely has the desire to stay. You would imagine Burnley would want to keep him but it depends on what goes on at Borussia Park in the summer that will determine the German’s future.
Ian Maatsen has been a shining left-back in the past two years in the Championship, having a strong spell with Coventry City before joining Burnley. He is on the books at Chelsea and they are renowned for loaning out their young players. Given the size of the Blues’ squad and the amount they have spent this year under Todd Boehly, they will need to raise some funds through player sales this summer and Maatsen could be one of them.
Tommy Doyle/James McAtee - Sheffield United (On loan from Manchester City)
Manchester City duo Tommy Doyle and James McAtee have spent the season with Sheffield United and have both played starring roles in Paul Heckingbottom’s midfield as they edge closer to promotion back to the Premier League. Both players have a great energy and the raw talent that comes with being on the books at City. When the summer rolls around, both would benefit from another spell at Bramall Lane, especially if it is in the top flight. However, the Blades will be limited to just one of them on loan - Premier League rules only allow one player per team to be loaned to another Premier League club.
Callum Doyle - Coventry City (On loan from Manchester City)
Manchester City are spoilt for choice when it comes to promising English talent and Doyle is among the best of them. A stellar spell at Sunderland in 2021/22 has been followed by a seamless step up into the Championship with Coventry City. He looks to have a huge future in the game as a ball-playing centre-back and he could have both Championship and Premier League clubs chasing him ahead of next season.
