‘ Update on All Championship Transfers so far ‘

The current Championship state of play

With a month to go until the end of the transfer window, we assessed how each Championship side is looking

MONDAY 8TH JUL 2019

With a month to go until the end of the transfer window, we assessed how each Championship side is looking

The summer transfer window remains open for just one more month.

Both Swansea City and Cardiff City have been active in the market already while both Welsh clubs will be hoping to do more business before the August 8 deadline.

So with exactly a month to go until the window shuts, we took a look at how each of the 24 sides in the Championship are currently looking ahead of the 2019/20 season.




BARNSLEY

Having enjoyed a memorable 2018/19 campaign, Barnsley have made full use of the market already in their bid to remain in the second tier.

The Oakwell outfit have secured the services of the likes of Brad Collins from Chelsea and Luke Thomas from Derby, although Liam Lindsay's exit is a blow.

Verdict: Have given themselves a chance of survival, although time will tell whether or not they can actually prove they aren't





BIRMINGHAM CITY

The sacking of Garry Monk could come back to haunt those at St Andrew's, and the jury remains out on Pep Clotet.

The Blues have done little in terms of incomings, with Gary Gardner being their only summer signing while Che Adams' move to Southampton leaves huge shoes to fill.

Verdict: A tough old summer so far could prove costly, unless things change.




BLACKBURN ROVERS

On the face of it, Bradley Johnson and Stewart Downing look to be two shrewd additions. Keeping Bradley Dack would be huge.

Verdict: Should be comfortable in mid-table but could be top half contenders if things click.

BRENTFORD

Christian Nørgaard looks to be an interesting signing, and the Dane will be hoping to re-ignite his career after a tough season with Fiorentina.

The Bees will be doing all in their power to keep hold of the likes of Neal Maupay, Ollie Watkins and Said Benrahma, although there is understandably plenty of interest in the former.

Verdict: Capable of a play-off push if they keep hold of their key men.


Neal Maupay is a wanted man


BRISTOL CITY

Lloyd Kelly's exit is a huge loss, although financially it was good business for the Robins.

Lee Johnson's side will attempt to fend off any interest in star striker Famara Diedhiou, but the capture of Jay Dasilva from Chelsea is an exciting one.

Verdict: Should once again be challenging for a top six place.





CARDIFF CITY

An already strong squad was bolstered even further as Neil Warnock recruited the likes of Joe Day, Curtis Nelson and Will Vaulks.

The Yorkshireman - who committed his own future to the club after holding talks with the top brass at Cardiff City Stadium after the famous 2-0 win over Manchester United in May - is hoping to bring in three more new faces as he bids to claim a record ninth promotion.

A striker could prove to be the difference between a good season and a great one, but make no mistake, the Bluebirds have one of the strongest squads in the Championship.

Verdict: Serious promotion contenders.


New arrivals at Cardiff City: Curtis Nelson, Joe Day and Will Vaulks




CHARLTON ATHLETIC

Despite the bizarre goings on prior to the official announcement, retaining the services of Lee Bowyer was vital for the Addicks.

The Englishman has delved into the lower echelons of the Football League in the market, with Wales international Tom Lockyer and Macauley Bonne coming in from Bristol Rovers and Leyton Orient respectively.

Verdict: Under Bowyer, Charlton could well be solid enough to avoid an immediate return to League One, particularly if Lyle Taylor can repeat his efforts of last term in the Championship.

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DERBY COUNTY

Frank Lampard was building something special at Pride Park, although the pull of Chelsea understandably proved too great.

The appointment of Phillip Cocu is one that comes with great risk, and with the likes of Mason Mount and Harry Wilson no longer at the club, the Rams may well have missed their best opportunity of securing a return to the Premier League.

Verdict: Still a decent squad, but as things stand, work needs to be done under Cocu.



Harry Wilson and Mason Mount are no longer at Derby
FULHAM

It's been a relatively quiet summer so far at Craven Cottage, and their Championship aspirations will largely depend on the Cottagers' ability to hold on to the men they forked out vast sums to sign last summer.

They simply have to improve at the back, but keeping hold of Aleksandar Mitrovic is a real statement of intent.

Verdict: Should be in the mix for a play-off spot, although in Mitrovic, Scott Parker's side have someone capable of racking up the goals in the second tier.

HUDDERSFIELD TOWN

Tommy Elphick and Josh Koroma look to be solid additions, but there's no escaping the fact that the Terriers are chronically short of a top centre forward.

Verdict: It's difficult to see Jan Siewert's side being anywhere near the top two. Top six challengers if they can bring in some much needed goals.




HULL CITY

The Tigers haven't been overly active so far, with Matt Ingram being their only signing to date.

And Grant McCann will be managing in the Championship for the first time, so it remains to be seen how he will fare.

Verdict: Could go either way under new boss McCann, although Hull should have enough to finish in mid-table.






LEEDS UNITED

Keeping Marcelo Bielsa at Elland Road was huge for the Whites' promotion hopes.

And in recruiting the likes of Helder Costa and Jack Harrison from Wolves and Man City respectively, Leeds have made an already impressive side even stronger.

Verdict: Title contenders and serious promotion candidates.

LUTON TOWN

Have recruited experienced Championship players in Martin Cranie and Callum McManaman, the Hatters are certainly stronger than they were last term.

But it's a big ask for Graeme Jones to step in and carry on the phenomenal work done last term as Luton claimed the League One title.

Verdict: It's a tough task, but the Hatters will make things difficult for teams at Kenilworth Road. Although will that be enough? Time will tell.




MIDDLESBROUGH

Boro fans got their wish as Tony Pulis departed the Riverside Stadium, and they will hope club icon Jonathan Woodgate can get the best out of what is a talented squad.

Tomas Mejias remains as their only summer recruit though, and having lost players including Downing and John Obi Mikel, Boro can't afford to be overly reliant on Britt Assombalonga.

Verdict: They have the tools to have a crack at the play-offs, but automatic promotion may be a stretch too far.


MILLWALL

Neil Harris' side have made two solid additions in Alex Pearce and Frank Fielding, although with 10 players departing, they may need further strength-in-depth to keep up with the rigours of the Championship.

Verdict: Goals could once again be a concern for the Lions, and it appears as though they'll be in or around the bottom six.

NOTTINGHAM FOREST

Lewis Grabban's goal return could go a long way to determining whether Forest can be in or around the play-off spots.

But losing Martin O'Neill is a blow, particularly given the foundations he had put in place ahead of the upcoming season while they have taken a gamble in appointing Sabri Lamouchi as their new boss.

Probably need to do more in the market having only brought in Sammy Ameobi from Bolton so far.

Verdict: All depends on how players respond to the new manager. Could fall just short of the play-offs again.


Sabri Lamouchi is the new Nottingham Forest manager




PRESTON NORTH END

Former Charlton defender Patrick Bauer looks a decent addition, although the Lilywhites have had little else to shout about in the window.

Verdict: Hard to see them being in the top six, but likewise they're far too good to be in the bottom three. Mid-table again.




QUEENS PARK RANGERS

Luke Freeman's exit to Sheffield United is a blow, but the Rs have done some good business to ensure they can improve on their 19th place finish last term.

Yoann Barbet is a decent acquisition while Conor Masterson and Luke Amos are also exciting signings. They look like they will be better under new manager Mark Warburton.

Verdict: Comfortable in mid-table.

READING

They have lost a lot of experience with the likes of Joey van den Berg, John O'Shea and Paul McShane departing, and they are yet to strengthen their squad.

Verdict: It could be a struggle of a season for the Royals. They could be rescued by virtue of other sides being weaker.

SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY

The Owls charged up the table under Steve Bruce last term and held faint play-off hopes in the latter stages of the season. They still lack a real goal scorer though, with Steve Fletcher's tally of 11 goals being their best individual return in the 2018/19 campaign.

Julian Borner is their only signing so far.

Verdict: Should be in the top half, although top six might just be beyond them unless they can increase their goal return.



STOKE CITY

Nathan Jones will hope to benefit from having a full pre-season with his players. And much will depend on whether the likes of Joe Allen and Jack Butland stay at the bet365 Stadium or not.

The Welshman has been very busy this summer, and the signings of Lindsay, Nick Powell and Jordan Cousins coupled with the exits of Darren Fletcher and Charlie Adam suggest Jones is keen to play with more energy and have his players running more next season.

Verdict: Should be much better than last season's 15th place finish, although play-off hopes could hinge on whether or not the big guns leave.




SWANSEA CITY

The departure of Daniel James to Manchester United was as painful as it was inevitable for the Jack Army. But the fee received for the Welshman will go a long way to balancing the books at the Liberty Stadium.

The hope now is that the likes of Andre Ayew, Jefferson Montero, Borja Baston and Jordan Ayew - who is set to join Crystal Palace - can also be offloaded.

Having brought in Jake Bidwell, Swansea still need further additions, including a centre-back and a striker. And if they can keep hold of the likes of Oli McBurnie, Connor Roberts and Matt Grimes, there's no reason why Steve Cooper's side can't build on the impressive work done in the 2018/19 season.

Verdict: If the aforementioned scenario pans out as planned, the Swans should challenge for a top six spot.





WEST BROMWICH ALBION

The Baggies could lose some big stars this summer, including striker Jay Rodriguez who has been linked with a return to Burnley.

It's still a squad packed with talent, and Slaven Bilic's appointment as new boss appears to be a welcome one at the Hawthorns, despite the surprise nature of Darren Moore's sacking at the tail end of the 2018/19 campaign.

Still inactive in the window.

Verdict: Strong top six contenders if key stars stay, but they could be leapfrogged by others if not.







WIGAN ATHLETIC

The Latics have lost a lot of experience this summer, with Shaun MacDonald, McManaman, Powell and Darron Gibson among those to leave. And Paul Cook's side are yet to make a signing.

Verdict: Should be too good to go down. Signings could dictate the size of the gap to the bottom three.