Leeds trio Rutter, Gray & Gnonto at the top - The most valuable U21 players in the Championship

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As we approach the business end of the season, the Championship looks as though it may provide one of the most entertaining ends to the season. Leicester City, Ipswich Town, Leeds United and Southampton look set to battle it out for the top two automatic promotion places, with a flurry of other teams aiming for the play-offs and the ultimate prize of playing in the Premier League. 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 March 7, 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.

The top 10 most valuable U21 players in the Championship

1. Georginio Rutter - Leeds United - 21 years old - €18m: On deadline day last January, Leeds forked out €28m to bring French forward Georginio Rutter in from Hoffenheim. The striker struggled to make an impact in the Premier League, failing to score and providing just one assist, as the Whites were relegated. In the Championship he has begun to show his class, scoring five and providing 14 assists - the second most in the division.

2. Archie Gray - Leeds United - 17 years old - €16m: Archie Gray has been one of the standout talents in the Championship this season, at just 17 years of age. 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 left the club right on the heels of the top two. The teenager has played 34 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.

3. 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 third 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 weeks his form has really improved for Leeds, scoring four in his last seven games and getting the fans back on side.

4. 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 18 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.

5. 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 has three goals in 10 Championship games. Hull are currently in sixth place, and will be looking for more from Carvalho to aid their push for the play-offs.

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 three and assisted two for the Hornets in the Championship this term, and has already represented his nation Canada an impressive 16 times.

7. Shea Charles - Southampton - 20 years old - €10m: Northern Ireland international Shea Charles has played 28 times for Russel Martin’s Southampton team this season, as the Saints make a push for the automatic promotion spots. The holding midfielder has had to play a key role, given Martin’s team 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.

8. Charlie Patino - Swansea City (On loan from Arsenal) - 20 years old - €10m: 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 28 appearances. Although his market value has just fallen by €2m in the latest update. He will be hoping his experience in English football can force his way into Mikel Arteta’s future plans.

9. Jobe Bellingham - Sunderland - 18 years old - €9m: 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 so far. Signed from Birmingham for €1.75m, 18-year-old Bellingham has five goals in 35 games from midfield for the Black cats this season.

10. Yáser Asprilla - Watford - 20 years old - €8m: 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 €2m price rise after scoring six goals and providing five assists for the Hornets in the Championship this campaign. At just 20 years of age, he has already played three times for Colombia, and scored once for his national team.