Who of the Championship players can shine next season in the elite?

The season is over, the market is being tested now in the transfer window and the three heroes of Coca Cola Championship (Wolves, Birmingham, Burnley) are thinking about how to make the team that will survive season 2009/10 in Premier League lion’s cage. Each of the teams will definitely need big signings, unless they are going to a field trip, but we should also mention that they already have some excellent individuals, whose career can be launched sky-high in the competition with the strongest teams on the island.

I dare say that this, most of all, applies to Wolverhampton Wanderers. Mick McCarthy has, in three seasons, created an excellent young, competitive team whose unity and attacking potential drew a lot of attention. Besides their competitive mentality, these men are all members of English youth national squads or internationals in Ireland, Scotland or Wales. The first on the list is definitely Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, the young striker and league’s top scorer, who gained his experience in Plymouth and he is a Manchester United’s child. In a little more than one season time in “old gold” jersey at Molineux, he managed to get his name on the lists of the scouts of Premier League’s big four. Side by side with Ebanks-Blake is winger Michael Knightly, regular starter in U23 national squad and the player that will definitely end up in one of the leading teams after this season. But under the condition that he pays attention to his health, as injuries are a big problem for him. Young keeper Wayne Hennessey is a Welsh international and he has long overcome all the obstacles of young age and big games. Then there is Championship’s best right back Kevin Foley, Trapatoni’s protégée in Irish national squad and he is only 24 years old. The pillars of the midfield are Karl Henry and David Edwards, who are yet to be heard of, while Scottish international, Cristophe Berra is dominant in defense. Another Irish international, who scored many crucial goals for the Wolves this season (but usually doesn’t get a starting berth, because of the fierce competition) is Andy Keogh.

As for Birmingham City, as clumsy or unconvincing they were this season, they somehow got hold of the second place. Their squad is quite the opposite to the Wolves, as they mostly have experienced players that have played in many Premiership matches. That is why Premiership fans will again have the chance to enjoy the skills of James McFadden, Lee Carsley’s and veteran Stephen Carr’s fighting spirit, mischievous actions of undisciplined Lee Bowyer and indestructible Kevin Phillips and Marcus Bent, as well as the stability of Stuart Parnaby, Liam Ridgewell (who is down with serious injury) and keeper Maik Taylor. But, under the condition that manager Alex McLeish doesn’t decide to restructure the team that weren’t exactly brilliant, as they were expected to be way ahead on top of the pile. Some surprises in Blues squad could be the names of striker Cameron Jerome and winger Sebastian Larsson.

Burnley are certainly the biggest enigma and the team that will simply be subscribed to surprises in the next season. Whether these surprises will be positive or negative, it depends on the transfer window. Manager Owen Coyle is certainly aware that he can’t fight Premiership battles with the same team that played in Championship, because as much as the Clarets are compact and well-coordinated, they can hardly handle the pressure. Still, among the players that will definitely shine will be young striker Martin Paterson, irreplaceable in the attack of Lancashire team, as well as his colleague on the right flank, Chris Eagles who has some experience in Manchester United. Winger Robbie Blake is tha man with experience and a positive touch of arrogance to make some great moves in the Premier League, while keeper Brian Jensen (“the Beast”) is definitely the new pet of TV fans, as he will be making possible and impossible saves against the starts like Drogba, Rooney Ronaldo, Torres and Gerrard. The scorer of the winner in the play-offs finals, Wade Elliott is another midfielder that will draw a lot of attention in the Premiership.

All in all, the transfer window is yet to start and some of these teams might go through some serious changes. Those changes could be a formula for success (just remember Stoke City this season) but it doesn’t necessarily mean survival (remember Hull City that barely survived this season). However, one things is certain: the current squads can’t guarantee success. Anyway it is better to see teams like Wolves, Birmingham and Burnley as well as Hull, Stoke and Wigan playing in Premiership, instead of getting bored to death with Newcastle and Middlesborough dull play.

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