Leeds duo, Gray & Gnonto at the top – The most valuable U21 players in the Championship

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World’s 6th most valuable league 

This season the Championship provided one of the most entertaining ends to the season, with Leicester City, Ipswich Town, Leeds United and Southampton all fighting for the top two automatic promotion places. Ultimately Leicester and Ipswich got promoted straight to the Premier League, whilst Leeds and Southampton meet in the play-off final this Sunday. Remarkably, the total market value of the Championship, which is €1.69 billion, makes the English second-flight the sixth most valuable league in world football. It beats the likes of the Portuguese League, the Eredivisie, the Saudi Pro League and the MLS. And it’s become a breeding ground for some promising young talent. 

In the latest Championship market value update on May 24, the league as a whole lost a mere €7.14 million in market value, but with many rises for the leagues youthful talents. So who are the top 10 most valuable U21 players in the Championship? Leeds are dominating the list.

1. Archie Gray – Leeds United – 18 years old – €18m: Archie Gray has been one of the standout talents in the Championship this season, still in his teenage years. A midfielder by trade, he has been primarily used by manager Daniel Farke at right-back. Gray has been a key component of Leeds’ great form in 2024, which has led the club to the play-off final. The teenager has played 44 league games, scoring one goal and providing two assists and received another €2m market value increase in the latest update. There has already been reported interest from many Premier League clubs. It’s likely Leeds will need to get promoted to hang on to one of their prized assets.

2. Wilfried Gnonto – Leeds United – 20 years old – €16m: Leeds domination over the young talent in the division continues as winger WIlfried Gnonto lays claim to the second most valuable U21 player in the Championship. The Italian had a tough start to the season, facing ostracism from some sections of the support after trying to force through a move to Everton, that ultimately didn’t materialise. However, in recent months his form has really improved for Leeds, with the youngster ending up with eight Championship goals.

3. Callum Doyle – Leicester City (On loan from Man City) – 20 years old – €15m: The first non-Leeds player on the list is Leicester centre-half Callum Doyle. The 20 year old has featured 23 times in all competitions for Leicester this season, and has represented England throughout the youth levels. A Manchester City player, it is his third loan spell away from the Etihad, having been sent to Sunderland and Coventry in previous campaigns. He will be hoping his experience at the King Power can eventually lead to him nailing down a spot in Pep Guardiola’s squad.  

4. Fábio Carvalho – Hull City (On loan from Liverpool) – 21 years old – €14m: Another player on loan from a Premier League title challenger, Fábio Carvalho has been looking to resurrect all the early promise shown in him, after he signed for Liverpool from Fulham for €5.90m in the summer of 2022. After joining Hull City in January, following a fairly unsuccessful loan at RB Leipzig, the Portuguese playmaker got nine goals in 20 Championship games. Hull ended up just missing out on the play-offs, finishing seventh in the table.

5. Jobe Bellingham – Sunderland – 18 years old – €12m: Growing up with Real Madrid superstar Jude Bellingham as your older brother, it’s never going to be easy to shine. However, his younger sibling Jobe Bellingham has had a great season with Sunderland. Signed from Birmingham for €1.75m, 18-year-old Bellingham scored seven goals in 45 games from midfield for the Black cats this season, and has recently been linked with a move to Borussia Dortmund this summer.

6. Ismaël Koné – Watford – 21 years old – €11m: Ismaël Koné was signed in January 2022 from Montreal for an €8m fee, and the Canadian has been a regular in centre midfield for Watford this season. The 21 year old has scored four and assisted three for the Hornets in the Championship this term, and has already represented his nation Canada an impressive 17 times. 

7. Issahaku Fatawu – Leicester – 20 years old – €10m: One of the standout performers at the business end of the season for league winners Leicester was winger Issahaku Fatawu, with the 20 year old finishing the season with six goals and 13 assists in 40 Championship games. His industrial performances were crucial to the Foxes getting over the line, and the youngster has incredibly already made 17 caps for his nation Ghana.

8. Shea Charles – Southampton – 20 years old – €10m: Northern Ireland international Shea Charles has played 32 times for Russel Martin’s Southampton team in the Championship this season, as the Saints look to gain promotion through the play-offs. The holding midfielder has had to play a key role, given Martin’s team’s preference to play with very high possession – they have the highest average possession in the entire division this term, making Charles’ passing ability and composure an important component to the team. 

9. Charlie Patino – Swansea City (On loan from Arsenal) – 20 years old – €9m: Following a successful loan spell at Blackpool last season, Arsenal chose to send Hale End academy product Charlie Patino out on loan again this term. Swansea City the new destination. Once again he has looked bright in the Championship, scoring three goals and providing four assists in 33 appearances. Although his market value has just fallen by €1m in the latest update. He will be hoping his experience in English football can force his way into Mikel Arteta’s future plans.

10. Yáser Asprilla – Watford – 20 years old – €9m: There’s nothing like a bit of South American young flair to light up the Championship. That’s exactly what Watford have got themselves with young winger Yáser Asprilla. He has been given a €1m price rise after scoring six goals and providing seven assists for the Hornets in the Championship this campaign. At just 20 years of age, he has already played four times for Colombia, and scored twice for his national team.