Championship 2023-24 Preview: Teams to Watch and Key Players

The parachutes are fewer, the road is longer, and the margin for error feels thinner than ever. The Championship is back – and this year it looks brutally, gloriously open.

Only four clubs arrive with parachute payments in their pockets – West Ham, Wolves, Burnley and Southampton – and one of those, Saints, start four points in the red after the spygate scandal that wrecked the end of last season. Lincoln return to this level for the first time since 1961, Cardiff are back after a year away, and Bolton rejoin the party for the first time since 2019.

Here’s how the 24 shape up as the marathon begins.

Birmingham City – Play-offs the realistic target now

Chris Davies heads into his third season with something close to stability and a clear demand from above: top eight at the very least.

Birmingham’s second-half reboot last year, built around younger, hungrier players, gives them a platform. Carlos Vicente, Jhon Solis and 6ft 5in August Priske all have a year’s Championship experience in their legs, while Christoph Klarer and Phil Neumann look one of the division’s more rugged centre-back pairings.

The problem is the road. Only five away wins and a meagre goal tally on their travels left them among the worst in the league outside St Andrew’s, which was a genuine fortress with 44 points banked. If Davies doesn’t solve that home‑away split, the play-offs remain a theory, not a reality.

Priske could change the equation. He scored his first goal on the final day at Portsmouth, has filled out his frame over the summer and has been scoring freely in pre-season. Over a full campaign, 15 goals is not a wild shout. Jobi McAnuff has them down for 11th.

Blackburn Rovers – Survival first, again

Tony Mowbray knows the club inside out and he knows the brief: avoid another slog like last season.

Four home wins at Ewood Park is nowhere near enough, and Mowbray wants more quality through the door before the window shuts. The squad has learned how to scrap – two relegation fights in three years will do that – but it still lacks proven Championship nous in key areas, and the goalkeeping situation is messy with both Balazs Toth and Aynsley Pears in the final year of their deals.

Tom Atcheson is the bright light. The 19-year-old centre-back has been handed the number six shirt and the starting role. People inside and outside the club are already talking about Premier League interest. Rovers just need him to grow up fast. McAnuff fears another struggle and tips them for 22nd.

Bolton Wanderers – Back, but on a budget

Promotion via the League One play-offs has Bolton dreaming again, but Steven Schumacher’s first priority is simple: stay up and settle in.

Schumacher knows this division from his Plymouth days and understands what’s required, but Bolton are operating near the bottom of the Championship’s budget table. That’s why recruitment has been frantic late in the window, with eight new faces already in and more expected.

The worry is obvious. Creating chances has not been the issue; converting them has. The step up in quality will punish wastefulness. Ryan Hardie, on loan from Wrexham, is the man Schumacher trusts – his best scoring spell came under this manager at Plymouth. If that partnership clicks again, Bolton might bloody a few noses. McAnuff still has them down at 21st.

Bristol City – Big changes, bigger hopes

Ashton Gate has been restless for years. This summer, it’s hopeful.

A new sporting director in James Ellis, a new head coach in Michael Skubala and eight signings – with more money spent than many expected – have shifted the mood. The ambition is to become genuine promotion contenders, even if everyone accepts that much change needs time.

Through the spine, City look solid. Centre-backs and central midfielders are strong on paper, and the arrivals of Lisav Eissat and Gibson Yah should ease the injury crises that ravaged last season. The big unknown lies up front. Lorent Tolaj and Dom Ballard lit up League One but have never played at this level. They might adapt quickly; they might need months.

Skubala’s style – with proper wingers – could finally unlock Yu Hirakawa, who impressed on loan at Hull but never had a role in Bristol. If he starts creating against deep, stubborn defences, City’s long-standing attacking issues could ease. McAnuff sees them as mid-table risers at 14th.

Burnley – Promotion machine, but still under construction

Burnley have made bouncing back look routine in recent years, twice smashing 100 points on their last two Championship visits. This time, it’s anything but straightforward.

Nicky Hayen has work to do in the market and knows more outgoings are possible. Zian Flemming, linked with a Premier League return, would be a huge loss and hard to replace. The upside? There are players with something to prove. Aaron Ramsey has barely featured because of injuries since his big-money move, and Mike Tresor has yet to show his best form in claret.

Marcus Edwards feels like the one. He impressed in the second half of their last promotion campaign and many Burnley fans felt he was underused in the Premier League. Back in the Championship, his creativity and one‑v‑one quality could tilt tight games. McAnuff backs them for 5th.

Cardiff City – Young, fearless… and vulnerable

Brian Barry-Murphy has injected life and verve into Cardiff. Promotion from League One as runners-up was built on pace, freedom and academy graduates playing without fear.

Survival is the first job. A strong start could turn that into a top-half tilt, but this is a brutally unforgiving league for naïve sides. Only three players in the squad are over 30 and last season’s flashes of inexperience will be punished more often now.

The talent is obvious: Dylan Lawlor, the Colwill brothers Rubin and Joel, and Cian Ashford all bring energy and invention. But everything hinges on Yousef Salech. The powerful Dane scored eight in 20 Championship games two seasons ago and 15 in League One last year before a nasty neck injury. If he’s fully fit, he can bully defences. If he isn’t, Cardiff’s youthful optimism may not be enough. McAnuff predicts 23rd.

Derby County – Ambition checked by reality

Derby’s summer was shaped by what didn’t happen. A proposed takeover collapsed, and with it the hope of a major cash injection.

John Eustace still has a strong spine: Jacob Widell Zetterstrom in goal, Lewis Travis fit and ready for his first full season as captain, and Carlton Morris as the focal point up front if he can rediscover pre‑injury form. But beyond that, the squad is thin. Wide areas, full-backs, central midfield and attack all need reinforcements if Derby are serious about a top-half push.

Bobby Clark could light the place up. At 21, signed from Salzburg, he has the tools to become one of the club’s most valuable assets. Patrick Agyemang’s return from injury in January might feel like a mid-season signing. Whether Derby are still in the mix by then is another matter. McAnuff puts them 10th.

Lincoln City – Sixty years later, just staying up would do

After more than six decades away, Lincoln are back in the second tier. Survival would be a triumph.

They expect to operate on the smallest budget in the division, but that didn’t stop them tearing through League One last season. Continuity is their biggest ally: the core of the promotion-winning side remains, with Championship know-how from the likes of Tendayi Darikwa and Adam Reach.

The bold move is in the dugout. Two head coaches – Chris Cohen and Tom Shaw – will raise eyebrows, but both are highly regarded. If it works, it could be inspired. The transfer window has been quiet so far, and they will need more bodies before the end of August.

George Wickens might be the story. After a tough first year, the goalkeeper was outstanding in promotion and has signed a new deal. Working closely with David Preece, he’s developed quickly. Another big season and he could follow former Lincoln loanee Carl Rushworth into the wider spotlight. McAnuff, though, has them bottom at 24th.

Middlesbrough – Promotion or bust mood on Teesside

Kim Hellberg took Boro to the brink last season, only to fall in the play-off final. This year, the expanded play-offs are seen as a minimum.

Defensively, they were one of the division’s best, ruthless at protecting leads. Hellberg’s high-tempo style drew praise and, at its peak, blew teams away. The flaw was stark: when opponents sat deep and handed them the ball, Boro often ran out of ideas. Two wins in the final 10 games cost them automatic promotion.

The club’s answer is Will Lankshear, a big-money, out-and-out number nine from Tottenham, and Kyle Joseph up top to give them more ways to batter the door down. USA international Sebastian Berhalter, fresh from an impressive World Cup, should add bite and quality in midfield. At the back, Adilson Malanda’s partnership with Alfie Jones must again provide the platform. McAnuff thinks they go one better this time – 2nd.

Millwall – Punching up again

Alex Neil took Millwall into the Championship play-offs for the first time in more than 20 years and has the fanbase dreaming of another crack.

They know the financial reality. Others spend more, but Millwall’s edge lies in Neil’s nous and a squad that relishes dismantling reputations. The ownership has backed him again this summer, even if they can’t match the division’s biggest hitters.

The missing piece has long been a ruthless number nine. If Josh Coburn can stay fit and recapture last season’s best form, he might finally be that man. With Neil’s track record in promotion battles, nobody at The Den is ruling out another top-six charge. McAnuff has them in 6th.

Norwich City – Quiet summer, loud optimism

Norwich’s second half of last season was among the best in the league. Philippe Clement took a side drifting towards League One and turned them into play-off contenders.

This summer has been deliberately calmer. No churn of managers, no scattergun recruitment from unfamiliar markets. Continuity is the word, and the fanbase likes the sound of it. The concern is injuries. Clement was exasperated by the revolving door in the treatment room and the club has responded with a shake-up in sports science and fitness.

Even so, winger Ali Ahmed is out for the season with an ACL injury, while Kellen Fisher, Jovon Makama and Lucien Mahovo will miss the opening weeks. On the pitch, Makama looked a revelation before his campaign was cut short at 13 goals. Mo Toure arrived mid-season and rattled in 10 goals in 12 league games, plus another in the Carabao Cup after just 40 seconds. New signing Andre Brooks has shone in pre-season. If they stay fit, Norwich have firepower. McAnuff puts them 7th.

Portsmouth – Modest budget, big stakes

Portsmouth spent around double last summer’s outlay but still operate on a modest budget for this level. The aim is clear: avoid another relegation scrap and improve on 18th.

John Mousinho has added Rocco Shein, Marko Milovanovic and Abu Kamara, but experience of the Championship is thin. Injuries savaged them last season and the squad is not deep enough to absorb similar blows again. At Fratton Park, opponents now arrive fully switched on; the days of teams underestimating Pompey are gone, and breaking down low blocks has become a recurring problem.

The wild card is Josh Murphy. At his best, he is one of the division’s standout wide players. Last season was wrecked by injury and he will miss the opener, but if he rediscovers the form of two years ago, Pompey’s survival prospects look far healthier. McAnuff predicts 20th.

Preston North End – Big spend, thin squad

Preston have smashed their transfer record to land Alfie Devine permanently from Tottenham for £6m. It’s a statement, but it needs backing up.

Paul Heckingbottom wants more signings before the window shuts, especially after the mid-season collapse that followed last year’s excellent start. A £1.5m overhaul of the Deepdale pitch should at least allow Preston to play the kind of football he wants, rather than battling a surface that cut up badly last winter.

The worry is depth. Key loanees have gone, experienced figures like Robbie Brady have departed and the loss of Lewis Dobbin, Harrison Armstrong and Daniel Jebbison leaves real gaps in attack. Devine is the jewel, capable of running games at this level, but he needs help. McAnuff has them 19th.

QPR – Fix the defence, and who knows?

Julien Stephan’s first full pre-season has raised expectations at Loftus Road after a smart window and encouraging warm-up games.

He now has a squad more tailored to his demands and a year of Championship knowledge behind him. But one number screams for attention: 73. That’s how many goals QPR conceded last season, second only to Sheffield Wednesday. Unless Stephan fixes that, any top-half dream will stay just that.

Rumarn Burrell could be the surprise package. The forward has the tools to thrive at this level – pace, movement, physicality – but needs fitness and service. If QPR tighten up at the back and Burrell catches fire, the top eight suddenly doesn’t look impossible. McAnuff calls them 13th.

Southampton – Promotion or nothing

Expelled from the play-off final after spygate and slapped with a four-point penalty, Southampton enter the season with a chip on their shoulder and a clear message: automatic promotion.

Tonda Eckert has kept the core of the side that went 21 league games unbeaten, while turning key loanees Cyle Larin and Daniel Peretz into permanent signings. The group knows how to dominate this division.

Divin Mubama arrives on loan from Manchester City to replace Ross Stewart. The talent is obvious, but five goals in 20 starts at Stoke before injury means he still has to prove he can sustain a full Championship campaign.

Leo Scienza is the showstopper. The Brazilian winger terrorised full-backs last season and, unless a huge bid lands before the deadline, he will do so again. With Saints chasing the top two, he might be the most feared wide player in the league. McAnuff sees them finishing 4th.

Stoke City – Defence first, goals wanted

The Stoke hierarchy have been blunt: they expect a play-off challenge.

Mark Robins’ side built last season’s early promise on a tight defence and outstanding goalkeeping from Viktor Johansson. That solidity has to remain while the attack finds more bite. Too much has rested on Sorba Thomas’s creativity; there is no prolific centre-forward and the supporting cast has not yet proved it can share the load.

New centre-back Luke Graham, signed from Dundee, brings a left foot, physicality and a willingness to stride out with the ball. He’ll need time, but the raw materials are there. McAnuff is more cautious than the board, tipping 15th.

Swansea City – Pressing on, but waiting on Vipotnik

Swansea once again start a season looking to turn mid-table comfort into a genuine play-off push.

Ambitious summer business has raised the bar, but the big question hangs over Zan Vipotnik. Last season’s Championship top scorer was the focal point of Vitor Matos’ pressing, high-energy side, particularly at home. If he leaves, Swansea’s attack will look very different.

Ethan Galbraith has already gone, while Josh Tymon and goalkeeper Lawrence Vigouroux remain key. Should Vipotnik depart, the burden falls on Adam Idah, who struggled in his first season, and new arrival Ross Stewart. Out wide was a weak point last year, so significant money has gone on Joseph Opoku and Moussa Yeo.

Opoku, just 21, has the physical profile to thrive in this league. At the back, academy graduate Filip Lissah looks ready to step into a regular role after an impressive loan at Falkirk. McAnuff has Swansea in 12th.

Watford – Pozzo’s puzzle, again

Watford’s board may dream of another promotion chase. Many fans are braced for something more modest.

A dreadful finish last season – no wins in their final eight – and slow recruitment point towards mid-table. Alessio Dionisi inherits talent, but a fragile spine. There are just two recognised centre-backs on the books; most clubs carry five. Central midfield looks light, especially with Imran Louza’s future unclear, and up front the two young strikers are not yet proven at this level.

There is quality in wide and attacking areas. Othmane Maamma is the standout, a gifted attacker with balance, touch and end product, capable on either flank and destined for the top. If he stays beyond the window, he gives Watford a cutting edge. Young Amin Nabizada is tipped for a breakout, but he too needs time. McAnuff predicts 16th.

West Bromwich Albion – Morrison’s reboot

West Brom flirted with disaster last season before James Morrison steadied the ship with a 10-game unbeaten run and seven clean sheets in nine.

He did it with a back-to-basics 4-4-2, players in their best positions and full-backs pushing on. Now, with the job permanently, he has to turn that rescue act into a full-season plan. With two extra play-off places available, Albion’s size and history demand they aim high, but a younger, developing squad may need a year of growth first.

Goals are the issue. Only four teams scored fewer last season, two of whom went down. Aune Heggebo’s nine goals were a solid return for a debut year, but he needs support. Jimmy-Jay Morgan has caught the eye with five pre-season goals, though Morrison is wary of piling pressure on him.

Felix Horn Myhre could be the key. The 27-year-old midfielder arrives from SK Brann with European experience and a reputation back home as their most important player. If he adapts quickly, he can give Albion control and thrust in the middle. McAnuff has them 17th.

West Ham United – Bowen and the burden of expectation

Relegation has not softened expectations at West Ham. Anything short of automatic promotion will be viewed as failure; even going up via the play-offs would be seen as a job done the hard way.

Keeping Nuno Espirito Santo is a huge win. He knows this league and has already won it with 99 points at Wolves. The Hammers still have a strong core and, crucially, Jarrod Bowen. His numbers are outrageous: 131 goal contributions in 228 games since the start of 2021-22. He is not just West Ham’s best player, he might be the best in the division.

Off the pitch, an ownership tug of war threatens to complicate recruitment. Losing talents like Mateus Fernandes and Crysencio Summerville inevitably lowers the ceiling, and those gaps must be filled smartly.

Still, with Nuno on the touchline and Bowen on the pitch, West Ham start as favourites. McAnuff puts them top.

Wolverhampton Wanderers – Big names, big questions

Wolves fans turned out more than 21,000 strong for a Carabao Cup tie and made their feelings clear: last season is gone, the focus is on coming straight back.

New executive chairman Nathan Shi has spoken of an 18‑month plan to be a Premier League club again by 2027-28. With Raul Jimenez and Kieran Trippier arriving on frees, plus Adam Armstrong already in the building, Wolves have Premier League calibre dotted through the squad. Crucially, some players who might have left after relegation have chosen to stay, hinting at a renewed sense of unity.

But the doubts are real. Will an exodus still happen late in the window? Can the club avoid a repeat of last summer’s flawed recruitment if key seniors depart? Is there enough depth behind Ladislav Krejci in defence, and will at least one of their two international goalkeepers remain?

Mateus Mane is the symbol of the new Wolves. The teenager burst through last season, perhaps too often too soon, but showed why previous coaches had earmarked him as a future star. This pre-season he has looked sharp and grounded, knowing that a big Championship campaign could launch him onto a much bigger stage. McAnuff tips Wolves for 3rd.

Wrexham – Ruthless finishers looking to tighten up

Wrexham fell just short of the play-offs last season. This year, they intend to go one step further.

Phil Parkinson’s side are lethal when chances come. They outperformed their expected goals by 12.21, the best figure in the division, thanks to the likes of Josh Windass, Callum Doyle and Kieffer Moore up front. That kind of ruthlessness is rare and priceless.

At the other end, it was more chaotic. Injuries at wing-back and a rotating back three meant too many shots conceded. The hope is that a year’s experience at this level, plus better luck with fitness, will tighten things up.

Danny Imray, signed from Crystal Palace, looks tailor-made for the right flank. With 76 appearances across two loan spells in the last two seasons, he brings durability and energy to a position that desperately needed both. McAnuff has Wrexham just outside the automatic spots in 9th.

Nine months, 46 games, four parachute clubs and a pack of ambitious challengers. West Ham, Wolves and Southampton carry the weight of expectation, but in a division this wild, who really dares to say where the story ends?