20 Top Championship and League One Players

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There are a number of top players in the Championship and League One right now. Many of these players may be of interest to Premier League clubs for summer transfers. This is especially true if more top-flight managers choose to recruit fresh talent from the lower leagues.

A number of the star players in the Premier League this season were playing their football in the lower leagues not so long ago. So here is a slideshow on some more players that could well be playing in England's top division in the 2012-13 season.

Ched Evans (Sheffield United)

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Ched Evans started his career at Manchester City, but was not deemed good enough to perform at Premier League level. The Welsh striker was loaned to Norwich City. He performed very well in Norfolk and his reputation was enhanced.

However, a permanent switch to Carrow Road was not agreed. Evans ended up signing for Sheffield United for £3million in the summer of 2009.

The forward has impressed this season in League One, scoring 15 goals. Evans has also proved to be one of the most accurate shooters in League One, 47 of his shots have been on target. This is the third best record in the division.

The player also has international experience with Wales. Still only 23, he could attract the attention of Premier League clubs in the summer. 

Robert Snodgrass (Leeds United)

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24-year-old Snodgrass is a real star. He has proved himself at Leeds United over the last few seasons, first in League One, and now in the Championship.

The Scot has been in impressive form this season, both with goals and assists. Snodgrass has 11 goals and 11 assists from his league performances this season.

International recognition has followed, and it appears to be only a matter of time before he is playing Premier League football. 

Peter Whittingham (Cardiff City)

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27-year-old Peter Whittingham has earned a reputation for himself as a star performer in the Championship.

However, he must be beginning to wonder if he will get another chance in the Premier League. The midfielder started his career at Aston Villa.

Peter is another example of a midfielder weighing in with goals and assists. This season is no different, he has scored nine and set up 11 in the league.

Rickie Lambert (Southampton)

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Rickie Lambert topped the goal-scoring charts in League One last season, and this season he is topping the Championship chart with 16 goals. The 30 year old will feel his chances of playing Premier League football next season are good.

Southampton are on top of the Championship, and current Premier League sides will be ready to pounce if they slip up.

Ross McCormack (Leeds United)

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McCormack in another feared striker in the Championship that appears to have the talent to step up to the Premier League.

He has proved at Cardiff and Leeds to be a consistent goal scorer in England's second tier. This season McCormack has scored 15 league goals. 

Jordan Rhodes (Huddersfield)

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It looks as if plenty of Premier League clubs will be showing an interest in Rhodes during the summer.

The Huddersfield striker has 27 goals in League One this season. He also has the best shooting statistics in the league. 49 of Rhodes' shots have been on target.

Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace)

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Pacy striker Zaha looks destined for a move to the Premier League.

He is still perhaps a bit raw, but has all the talent to be a top player. It was rumored that Bolton had bid for the player in the January transfer window, but the move never happened. 

Chris Gunter (Nottingham Forest)

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Welsh international Chris Gunter is a very talented full-back. He did have a brief spell in the Premier League with Spurs, but it didn't work out. Perhaps he was too young at the time.

Gunter is now 22 and showing his quality in the Championship with Nottingham Forest. Premier League clubs were chasing the player in the January transfer window, but it is believed the £2.5million asking price was not met.

However, interest is expected to heat up again in the summer.  

Adam Lallana (Southampton)

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Lallana has been a high-rated midfielder for some time now. Southampton have managed to progress enough to keep him happy. However, he must be itching to show what he can do in the Premier League.

One way or another Lallana could be playing in England's top division next season, and I for one expect him to be a star.

Lallana has contributed eight goals this season.

Matt Phillips (Blackpool)

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Blackpool winger Matt Phillips impressed during the club's spell in the Premier League.

The player has been extremely impressive this season. He is still just 20 years old and it is believed that there are several Premier League clubs keeping tabs on him.

Jimmy Kebe (Reading)

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Mali winger Kebe is clearly a very talented player that is more than capable of playing at Premier League level. Reading are again in and around the playoffs, and will be hoping for promotion.

However, Kebe is one of their more talented players, and may be looking for a move in the summer. At 28, he may also feel he is running out of time to remain at his best in the top flight.

Kebe has provided seven assists this season in the Championship.

Nathaniel Clyne (Crystal Palace)

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Full-back Clyne is another very talented player plying his trade in the Championship with Crystal Palace. He has the quality to be a big player at the highest level.

Palace should prepare for sizable offers in the summer from Premier League sides. Clyne is still just 20 years old. However, has played over 100 league games.

Jay Rodriguez (Burnley)

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Jay Rodriguez is generally considered as Burnley's best player, and he can expect to be playing Premier League football in the near future.

He is 22 years old and has a 6'1" frame to impose on the top flight. The forward has done the business in the Championship so far this season by scoring 12 goals.

Kasper Schmeichel (Leicester)

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Schmeichel started his career off at Manchester City. However, the level of competition led him down to the Championship in search of regular first-team football.

It is a level that the goalkeeper has impressed at. At 25, it may be time to have a second crack at the Premier League. However who will take a chance on Kasper?

Jack Collison (West Ham)

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Welsh international Collison has come through the youth system at West Ham. He is a versatile midfielder that is a real asset to club and country.

With West Ham well placed in the Championship, Collison should be back in the Premier League next season.

James Tomkins (West Ham)

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James Tomkins is another very highly-rated player to have come out of the West Ham youth system. He tends to play at center-back.

West Ham's position is the league means that Tomkins can expect to be back in the Premier League next season. The player has a strong 6'3" frame, making him a hard man to beat.

Adam Federici (Reading)

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There is no doubt that Australian goalkeeper Federici is one of the very best keepers outside of the Premier League.

They say that goalkeepers get better with age, so at 27 it may be time for the player to play Premier League football. 

Chris Burke (Birmingham)

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Chris Burke is a very talented midfielder who has showed what he can do in the Championship with Cardiff and Birmingham. He has scored seven goals and 10 assists in the Championship this season.

It will be interesting to see if Premier League clubs come calling for the player if Birmingham misses out on promotion.

David Nugent (Leicester)

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Most people realize that Nugent is a talented striker. However, for whatever reason he is now playing Championship football.

Nugent has scored 12 goals in the Championship this season, and will be hoping for another shot at the Premier League.

Lee Novak (Huddersfield)

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Lee Novak may not get the credit he deserves because of the presence of Jordan Rhodes in the same Huddersfield team.

However, the 23 year old is a very good player and he is a consistent goal scorer. So far this season Novak has scored seven goals in League One.

 

Follow James Kent on Twitter @jimlk2007 and Facebook.