Championship football this season has been full of surprises already. The likes of Stoke City and Aston Villa – favourites before the season began — are struggling to stake a claim in the promotion chase. On the other hand, teams like Leeds United, Sheffield United, Brentford, Bristol City and Bolton Wanderers have started the season really well.
It is too early to predict the likely promotion favourites as the Championship tends to be unforgiving when teams take the foot off the gas.
A few players are enjoying a brilliant campaign already and here are three names who have surprised us the most.
#3 Dael Fry
Age: 21
Club: Middlesbrough
Tony Pulis has often been criticised for his ‘negative’ brand of football (also known as Pulis-ball) where the success relies on the defensive set-up, resilience and discipline.
Ben Gibson, Patrick Bamford, Adama Traore — their key performers from last season — left Riverside yet the gaffer has managed to retain an unbeaten status as well as a top of the table spot alongside Leeds United who are only ahead on goal difference.
Boro have incredibly kept 5 successive clean sheets in the league ever since conceding twice on the opening weekend’s draw against Millwall and Dael Fry, the 21-year-old academy prodigy, has slotted in well, replacing Gibson in the backline.
Fry has played every minute so far and mustered impressive numbers of 3.8 aerial duels won and 5.7 clearances per game.
#2 Mateusz Klich
Age: 28
Club: Leeds United
Leeds’ summer signing last season had a frustrating spell under then boss Thomas Christiansen who rarely handed him first-team minutes. Klich, who joined the Whites from Dutch outfit FC Twente, was eventually loaned back to Eredivisie earlier this year to spend the remainder of the campaign with FC Utrecht.
Klich, though, re-joined the squad during pre-season and impressed new chief Marcelo Bielsa. He scored the first goal in the very first game of El Loco era and inspired them to clinch a winning start against heavyweights Stoke City.
The Pole again bagged one in the next encounter versus Derby County at Pride Park exhibiting his goal-scoring attribute despite featuring in a box-to-box role.
The Polish international has netted thrice so far, assisted once, attempted 1.2 shots per outing and also maintained an 83% pass accuracy so far while building the game up from the middle of the park.
Klich has showcased his defensive ability too with 1.5 tackles-a-game and this all-round potential has played a pivotal role in Leeds’ emergence as league leaders prior to season’s first international break.
#1 Neal Maupay
Age: 22
Club: Brentford
The Frenchman joined the Bees last summer and enjoyed a productive campaign with 12 goals from 42 Championship outfit. The attacker has been in even better form this term and is currently leading the race for the Golden Boot with 5 goals and 3 assists from 4 league outings.
He has a low centre of gravity but is known for his pace, down the middle runs, versatility and solid passing.
Maupay has attempted 3.3 shots along with 2.3 key passes per game – some astounding numbers that have guided Brentford into the top six.
Stats via Whoscored