Player Focus: Six of the Best - Championship Youngsters

Such is the competitiveness of the Championship that the number of teams still hoping to secure promotion remains in double figures. They say that it is the hardest league to get out of as far as relegated teams are concerned and the step up to the Premier League always, somehow, seems far greater than the step down to the Championship.

The same can be said for the players that ply their trade in England's second tier, with many promising prospects failing to successfully make the transition. The likes of Norwich and Aston Villa have stood out for dipping their toes in the lower league markets regularly over the last two seasons, with varying degrees of success.

Signing players from the level below is always seen as a gamble but there have been a number of eye-catching performances from youngsters in the Championship this season. WhoScored.com have chosen six players aged 23 or under, ranging across different positions, that could well make the progression sooner rather than later, starting with the eldest.

Kieran Trippier (Burnley) - Right-Back

Full-back Kieran Trippier's performances for Burnley this season have been key to the Lancashire club's success to date. At 23 the defender is of the age that most feel is ideal to progress to the top level and he's certainly shown his capabilities in the current campaign. The stand out statistic is undoubtedly Trippier's league high of 12 assists - an exceptional tally when considering that he doesn't take set pieces.

Indeed, the right-back has delivered at least 17 more accurate crosses when excluding corners than any other player in the league (57). Meanwhile only Andy Reid and Ross McCormack have created more chances from open play (46). It's little surprise then that WhoScored's player characteristics show that Trippier is 'very strong' at both key passes and crossing, and he hasn't disappointed in a defensive sense, averaging 2.4 tackles and 2.1 interceptions per game for a side with the second best defensive record in the league (25 conceded).

Tom Cairney (Blackburn) - Midfielder

The fact that Hull were willing to let Tom Cairney's loan move to Blackburn be made permanent last month came as a shock to those that had watched him on a regular basis this season. The midfield playmaker has suffered because of his diminutive stature throughout his career, first being released by Leeds for that reason as a youngster and then not being given his chance at the top level by the Tigers.

His ability is abundantly clear though, and his class on the ball is of a standard perhaps higher than the one he finds himself right now, meaning no disrespect to Blackburn. Cairney's WhoScored characteristics do all the talking and his pass accuracy of 86.9% is exceptional at Championship level - the best of any player with over 12 starts. He's delivered the most accurate crosses in the division (65) and created the second most chances for teammates (75). With an ability to play across the midfield, Cairney's stay at Ewood Park may yet be brief.

Anthony Knockaert (Leicester) - Right-Wing

Having produced some outstanding goals in his fledgling career at Leicester, the phrase 'it's a Knockaert' has become a familiar one with the local press. The 22-year old is capable of the sublime, although he’s only netted 4 goals in the league this season, and his 5 assists have come from 63 key passes to date; ranking 5th in the division despite making 5 of his 28 appearances from the bench.

He's a key component in an increasingly impressive and dominant Leicester side and has become a fan favourite at the club since a move from Ligue 2 Guingamp in 2012. Knockaert is particularly impressive over a set piece and is a very confident player, willing to cut in off the right flank to fire off a considerable 2.5 shots per game - only behind top scorer Nugent for the league leaders. With 1.5 tackles per game he's also eager and willing from a defensive view and if the Foxes are promoted, as expected, Knockaert is certainly one that should be able to make the transition.

Danny Ings (Burnley) - Forward

After just 6 goals in 47 league appearances for Burnley upon joining the Clarets in 2011, few would have predicted the strides that Danny Ings has made this season. Still only 21, the forward, who has perhaps been at his best when playing as the support striker off of Sam Vokes, has netted 19 goals in 30 starts this season, leading to apparent and equally unsurprising Premier League interest.

Ings isn't tall but he's developed physically and has shown an impressive variety to his finishing, scoring 5 goals with his weaker left foot, twice with his head and twice from outside the box thus far. With 1.4 key passes per game he's linked up well when dropping deeper and picked up 3 assists in turn, while his goal tally has come from 104 shots to date - second only to David McGoldrick - leaving the youngster with an impressive 18.3% conversion rate.

Jamaal Lascelles (Nottingham Forest) - Centre-Back

There have been a few young centre-backs to really impress this season but we've chosen 20-year old Jamaal Lascelles as one for the future. The Forest academy graduate only broke into the side in late October but has gone on to start 16 league games and Billy Davies' side are unbeaten in the last 11 matches that the young centre-back has featured in, having built a strong partnership with Jack Hobbs.

Lascelles has all of the necessary physical attributes to develop into a Premier League defender and he's improved his timing and discipline with regular playing time. The centre-back was booked in 4 of his first 6 appearances but hasn't been cautioned in the 10 matches since, committing just 0.8 fouls per game. He's excellent in the air, winning 4.9 aerial duels per game with a 75.2% success rate, and is willing to throw his body on the line, with 1.3 shot blocks per game ranking third in the league.

Will Hughes (Derby) - Centre-Midfield

Perhaps the most talked about player in the Championship going into this season, not much has changed as far as Will Hughes is concerned. The fluorescent-headed teenager continues to be linked with some of the top clubs in the country; such is his abundant ability at the age of just 18. He's an elegant player in possession, much like Cairney, with the Blackburn player just edging it in terms of pass accuracy (86.5%).

Only four players have created more chances from open play in the division (40), with Hughes registering 5 assists to supplement his modest 3-goal tally thus far. Nevertheless, the Derby man also has more about him in a defensive sense in midfield than many would give him credit for, averaging an impressive 2.9 tackles per game. Once he bulks up a little and adds a physical presence to his game, winning just 6 of 36 aerial duels thus far, Hughes seems destined for the Premier League, be that with promotion-chasing Derby or not.

Which Championship players do you think are ready to make the step up to the Premier League this summer?