8 transfers to turn the Championship title race

MRKT Insights' Greg Lever scouts 8 players who could make the difference as Leeds, Sheffield United, Burnley and Sunderland duke it out for the top spots.

Jan 15, 2025

It’s a pleasure to welcome Greg Lever to NTT20.COM for a guest column. In four years at football consultancy MRKT Insights, Greg has advised many EFL clubs on recruitment, both domestic and overseas.
With four teams separated by just four points, the January transfer window will be crucial in deciding the race for promotion to the Premier League. Greg examines Sheffield United, Leeds United, Burnley, and Sunderland, suggesting a position each could strengthen during this window, and highlighting two potential targets—one based domestically, and one from abroad.

Leeds United

Leeds United might have the title race sewn up if not for costly errors leading to goals. Despite being the league’s top scorers with 48 goals and keeping 14 clean sheets, they’re just one point ahead of second-placed Burnley.
The main issue is between the posts. Illan Meslier’s mistakes have cost Leeds points, and addressing this weakness could make them runaway leaders. With solid goalkeepers like James Trafford, Anthony Patterson, and Michael Cooper playing for their rivals, Leeds must bring in a more reliable option.

Domestic – James Beadle (Sheffield Wednesday, on loan from Brighton)

James Beadle has the potential to become England’s number one in the future. At 6ft 5in tall, he commands his area, excels at collecting crosses, and boasts outstanding reflexes. His calmness under pressure would be invaluable in a promotion race. He’s been a standout performer for Danny Röhl’s Sheffield Wednesday but appears ready to step up a division. A loan deal with an option to buy might suit all parties, particularly as his pathway at Brighton is currently blocked.

Overseas – Christian Früchtl (Lecce)

Christian Früchtl, a 24-year-old German goalkeeper, joined Lecce in the summer after impressing at Austria Wien but has featured only in the Coppa Italia this season. At 6ft 4in, he combines a commanding physical presence with agility and focus. Früchtl’s ability to deal with physical forwards and maintain concentration could address Leeds’ current shortcomings in goal. Whether on loan or permanently, he’d represent a significant upgrade.

Burnley

Scott Parker’s Burnley have been remarkably consistent this season, boasting a solid defence and on track to break records for the fewest goals conceded. However, their attack has been less effective, with just 31 goals from an xG of 29.88.
Given their struggles in front of goal, Burnley should prioritise signing a mobile target man capable of holding up the ball, occupying defenders, and scoring consistently—similar to Aleksandar Mitrović and Dominic Solanke in Parker’s previous successful campaigns.

Domestic – Miles Leaburn (Charlton Athletic)

Miles Leaburn might not be an immediate solution but is a talented forward with exceptional physical attributes. He’s strong, quick, capable of running the channels, and has good enough feet to create chances for himself. Injuries affected Leaburn at the start of this season, but in his last four league games he’s scored four goals and assisted two. Burnley could seize the opportunity to develop this promising young striker, who’s under contract until 2026.

Overseas – Tomáš Čvančara (Borussia Mönchengladbach)

Signed from Sparta Prague for around £10m in 2023, Tomáš Čvančara has struggled for minutes in the Bundesliga. The 24-year-old Czech international is 6ft 3in tall, quick, and deceptively strong. He’s clever with his movement, composed in the box, and excels at linking up with teammates. Čvančara’s ability to both create and score makes him an ideal candidate for Burnley.

Sheffield United

Sheffield United have looked very strong in the first half of the season. Additions such as Michael Cooper and Harrison Burrows hit the ground running and are already proving to be top performers in their positions. Defensively, they’ve been excellent, keeping 15 clean sheets in 26 games — a testament to Cooper and the defenders in front of him.
However, they’ve struggled in the final third, scoring 36 goals against an expected goals (xG) tally of 32.2. If they want to pull away at the top, they should consider signing a striker with a different profile to Kieffer Moore and more reliability than the talented but raw 18-year-old Ryan Oné.

Domestic – Tom Cannon (Stoke City, on loan from Leicester City)

Tom Cannon is a quick, hard-working striker who excels at running in behind defences and scoring inside the box. He could form an effective partnership with Moore, complementing the latter’s aerial prowess with his movement and clinical finishing.

A loan deal with an option to buy, similar to his move to Leicester from Everton, could be feasible. As Ali wrote in his piece Total Recall, which is ageing well:

Cannon would be tempting to a promotion-chaser on two levels:
a) You can be confident that he’ll take chances if you create them for him.
b) There’s potential for him to develop further into a Premier League #9, but even if he doesn’t, his age and nationality means he’ll retain plenty of transfer value as a Championship marksman for years to come.

Overseas – Louis Munteanu (CFR Cluj)

Louis Munteanu, a 22-year-old Romanian forward playing for Cluj, joined the club from Fiorentina in the summer but could be tempted by the chance to play at the top of the Championship. Standing six feet tall, he’s a tenacious, quick-footed forward who’s a handful for defenders. Munteanu drifts into the channels to support teammates, scores a variety of goals, and has excellent composure. Securing him might be challenging given his recent move to Cluj, but he’d be an exciting prospect for Sheffield United fans.

Sunderland

Sunderland’s young, exciting squad has been one of this season’s surprises. They’ve started strongly, with players like Jobe Bellingham, Chris Rigg and Eliezer Mayenda catching the eye. Having made the impressive loan signing of Enzo Le Fée from Roma, they look set to remain competitive. However, Sunderland could use more depth at centre-back, particularly a left-footed partner for Chris Mepham.

Domestic – Cameron Burgess (Ipswich Town)

After helping Ipswich to promotion last season, Cameron Burgess has seen his role diminished with the arrival of Dara O’Shea and Jacob Greaves. His experience could benefit Sunderland’s youthful squad. Burgess is a reliable defender with strong passing ability, offering better balance in possession compared to Luke O’Nien’s right-footed play. Out of contract in the summer, he’d be an affordable, ready-to-go option.

Overseas – Jordan Torunarigha (Gent)

Jordan Torunarigha, a 27-year-old Nigerian centre-back, has been with Gent for four seasons after leaving Hertha Berlin. Out of contract this summer, he’s a solid, no-nonsense defender with excellent positional awareness. Aerially dominant and a threat at set pieces, Torunarigha would bring a composed and physical presence to Sunderland’s backline.

This January window presents a critical opportunity for all EFL clubs to strengthen their squads and push to achieve their goals this season.

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