5 Championship Stars – Who Has Impressed in England’s Second Tier in 2020/21?

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There is no denying that Reading have been the standout team in England’s second tier this season. The Royals have won seven of their opening eight games to open up a six-point lead at the summit.

Following relegation from the Premier League last term, Bournemouth, Watford, and Norwich City have all started well, with East Midlands big guns Nottingham Forest and Derby County struggling at the bottom.

But which players have caught the eye so far? Here are five Championship players who have hit the ground running in 2020/21.

Adam Armstrong – Blackburn Rovers

Last season, Adam Armstrong featured in all 46 of Blackburn’s Championship games, netting 16 times. With just eight games played this term, the striker already has nine goals to his name.

Armstrong scored five goals in his opening three appearances, including a hat-trick in a 5-0 thrashing of Wycombe. But he then went three games without a goal. However, he has since bagged four goals in his previous two outings, with braces against Coventry and Reading.

Blackburn find themselves in mid-table, although they are the top scorers in the Championship (18). If it wasn’t for Armstrong’s goals, Rovers would be a lot further down the standings.

Rafael – Reading

Reading have made an absolutely phenomenal start to the season, thanks in large part to their goalkeeper. Rafael – who has three Brazil caps under his belt – has only conceded three goals this term, keeping an astonishing six clean sheets in eight games.

The former Santos, Napoli and Sampdoria shot-stopper shocked everyone when he swapped Serie A for the Championship last year. But if he maintains his sparkling form, he could well be playing in the Premier League next season.

Reading are already six points clear at the top of the table, and of course, they boast the best defensive record in the division.

Ivan Toney – Brentford

With Ollie Watkins and Said Benrahma leaving for Aston Villa and West Ham respectively in the summer, Brentford were in desperate need of a goalscorer. Thankfully for the Bees, Ivan Toney appears to be the real deal.

The striker netted 24 goals in 32 League One outings for Peterborough last season, earning himself a move to the second tier. This term, Toney has already bagged eight goals in eight Championship games.

Remarkably, the 24-year-old scored a brace in three straight games at the beginning of October, netting doubles against Preston, Coventry and Sheffield Wednesday. Could he be the man to finally fire Brentford to promotion?

Joao Pedro – Watford

Joao Pedro signed for Watford in January 2020, moving from Fluminense when he was just 18. The Brazilian only made three substitute appearances as the Hornets were relegated last season, but he looks set to be a pivotal figure this term.

The young forward has started all but one of Watford’s Championship games in 2020/21, scoring goals against Luton, Derby and Blackburn in an impressive four-game streak.

Watford have only lost one of their eight league games this season. If Joao Pedro continues to shine, the Hornets could make an immediate return to the Premier League.

Dael Fry – Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough have made a strong start to the campaign, losing just one of their opening eight games. Dael Fry's efforts mean that only two teams in the division have conceded fewer goals than Neil Warnock’s side.

The centre-back – who has 11 England U21 caps – has been a vital part of Warnock’s backline so far, helping Boro to keep three clean sheets in their last four outings.

At just 23, Fry already has over a century of first-team appearances for Middlesbrough under his belt. He has always been recognised as one of the best yougn defenders in the Championship, but this season, he appears to have taken his game to another level.