Which of these Championship players are ready to make the step up to the Premier League…
On Monday lunchtime Crystal Palace submitted a bid for Blackburn Rovers striker Rudy Gestede, as their new manager Alan Pardew steps up his attempts to find a new forward, capable of firing his team to Premier League safety.
SEE MORE:
Ten Premier League Stars Who Have Come Back from the Dead This Season, Including Liverpool Duo
Arsenal & Liverpool Make Enquiries Over Shock Radamel Falcao Transfer
Liverpool Plot Move To Sign £40m Real Madrid Star Karim Benzema This Summer
Meanwhile, previous reports in the Daily Mail have linked Liverpool with a move for Norwich City’s Nathan Redmond. Both players currently appear in the WhoScored Best XI for the Championship, and that got us wondering – are they ready to make the step up?
Below we count down WhoScored’s team in its entirety, and analyse whether each player would be a hit or miss in the top flight:
GK) David Button (Brentford)
Began his career with Tottenham Hotspur, and was loaned out 13 times before eventually departing without a first-team appearance to his name. But has been given a new lease of life at Brentford, establishing himself as number one.
RB) Simon Francis (Bournemouth)
An established full-back who, at 29, might struggle to cope with a first step up into the Premier League. Currently thriving in an impressive team, but it would be interesting to see if he could survive against the best in the world.
CB) Christophe Berra (Ipswich Town)
Has experience of the Premier League in the past with Wolverhampton Wanderers, and is now aiming to get back to the top flight with Ipswich. Still only 29, and perhaps ready for one final crack at the top flight.
CB) Daniel Ayala (Middlesbrough)
Began his professional career with Liverpool, and has worked hard to forge a career in the Championship after things didn’t work out at Anfield. Now 24, he’s impressed for Boro, and could be ready to step up.
LB) Craig Forsyth (Derby County)
After failing to make the grade at Watford, he switched to Derby in 2013, and has made a huge success of the move. Having joined in 2013, he’s since made 69 league appearances and become a Scottish international.
RM) Matt Ritchie (Bournemouth)
Ritchie has scored 19 goals in 72 league games since making the switch from Swindon Town, and has been crucial in transforming the Cherries into promotion contenders so far this season. Still 25, and ready for more.
CM) Grant Leadbitter (Middlesbrough)
Has plenty of experience in Premier League football with Sunderland. The former England under 21 international has always stood out in the Championship, and at 29 will be desperate to have another crack at the top flight.
CM) Nathan Redmond (Norwich City)
Came out of the Birmingham City academy, and enjoyed his last taste of Premier League football with Norwich City last season. Redmond is now trying to lead the Canaries back into the top flight at the first attempt.
LM) Michail Antonio (Nottingham Forest)
Started his professional career with Reading, before moving to Sheffield Wednesday in 2012. Joined Nottingham Forest last summer, and has arguably been their stand-out player so far this season with nine goals.
ST) Daryl Murphy (Ipswich Town)
Scored just 14 goals in 110 league games for Sunderland, and also failed to impress at Celtic. But has found a home at Ipswich, for whom he has netted on 41 occasions since 2013.
ST) Rudy Gestede (Blackburn Rovers)
The French-born striker first came to prominence playing for Cardiff City, for whom he scored in the 2012 League Cup final against Liverpool. Moved to Blackburn last year, and has scored 24 goals in 43 games so far.
SEE ALSO: Liverpool transfer news