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James Maddison’s performances this season following his step up to the Premier League with Leicester City has demonstrated once again the Championship remains a superb breeding ground for young talent.

With opportunities limited for young English players in particular in the Premier League, the Championship provides a superb stage for young players to showcase their talents in an extremely competitive league.

That is why City have farmed young prospect Harvey Barnes out on loan at West Bromwich Albion, where his performances have caught the eye and led to City considering recalling him early so he can contribute in the Premier League.

Maddison has gone from starring for Norwich in the Championship to the England squad in a few short months, and his success may lead City to cast an eye over a few more young players capturing the headlines in the Championship.

City may not be planning to bring in any new players this January, but here are five players who should be on their radar.

Neal Maupay (Brentford)

The 22-year-old forward is a French under-21 international of Argentinian descent. He made his name in France and was signed by Brentford from St Etienne in July, 2017 in a £1.6 million deal.

Maupay is versatile and can play as a winger and a number 10, but said he prefers to play down the middle as a striker who likes to get in behind the defence.

This season he has been in excellent form for Brentford, scoring 15 goals and providing six assists, and he has scored 29 goals in 73 appearances since arriving in England.



Jarrod Bowen (Hull City)

Another 22-year-old and another forward player who can play across the front line.

Bowen was voted Hull’s Players’ Player of the Year and Supporters’ Player of the Year last season after establishing himself in the Tigers side.

He has been in great form recently, scoring his seventh goal in as many league games in his side’s 6-0 demolition of Bolton Wanderers, and topping Sky Sports’ Power Rankings. He has also been nominated for the PFA Fans’ Player of the Month award.

So far this season he has scored 11 goals and provided three assists, and the Hereford-born forward has been linked with Everton, Newcastle United and Brighton and Hove Albion.



Oliver McBurnie (Swansea City)

Again, McBurnie is a 22-year-old who is having an excellent season with Swansea.

The former Leeds United and Bradford City trainee can play down the middle or on the left of the attack and he has been amongst the goals, scoring ten and providing three assists. At 6’2” tall, McBurnie would also provide a physical edge to City’s attack, although Swans boss Graham Potter has called for McBurnie to manage his aggression.

McBurnie has already earned six caps for Scotland.



Harry Wilson (Liverpool, on loan at Derby County)

The 21-year-old from Wrexham is highly rated at Liverpool and could be difficult to sign, but if he fails to break into the first team in the next couple of seasons after loans at Crewe, Hull and now Derby then there could be a possibility, and there will be plenty of interested clubs.

He made a big impact at Hull, scoring seven goals in 14 appearances for the Tigers, and the winger has been prominent at Derby this season, scoring ten goals in 24 appearances and providing one assist. He scored a screamer for Derby against Manchester United in the Carabao Cup and repeated the feat for Wales against the Republic of Ireland in the Nations League.

Wilson already has eight caps for Wales and has scored two goals.

Che Adams (Birmingham City)

The 22-year-old knows all about Leicester City, having been born and raised in the city.

Adams played for Highfield Rangers, St Andrews and Oadby Town, and City did have a look at him.

He joined Coventry City’s academy aged seven but was released aged 14. He went on to Ilkeston Town where his displays attracted Sheffield United’s interest. He was then signed by Birmingham for £2 million and he has emerged as their star player and most bankable asset this season.

Adams, who can play down the middle or out wide in attack, has scored 12 goals and provided three assists this season and while the Blues are chasing promotion this season, they have mounting debuts and could be hit with a points deduction for failing FFP regulations, forcing them to cash in.

There could be an opportunity for the Leicester lad to come home to City.