Best U23 Young Players in the Championship
52 players aged 23 or under · ranked by Analytical Strength Index
Best Young Players in the Championship (Oct 2026)
52 players tracked across 24 clubs. Updated October 2026.
Ranked by Analytical Strength Index
Use the search bar below to find specific players, or apply filters to narrow results by club, age range, or market value. Click the chart icon next to any player to view their historical value trajectory and forecast.
Player Rankings
Ranked by Analytical Strength Index. Click any player to view full profile, or click the chart icon to see value history.
Callum Doyle (817688)
Wrexham AFC • 23 years old
€13.0M
€15.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €14.6M
70.4
Tom Fellows (626319)
Southampton FC • 23 years old
€8.6M
€10.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €10.2M
61.0
J. Makama
Norwich City • 22 years old
€6.3M
€7.3M
+15.6%
Expected: €7.4M
56.7
D. Jebbison
Bournemouth • 23 years old
€5.0M
€5.8M
+15.6%
Expected: €5.6M
54.3
Charlie Hughes
Hull City • 22 years old
€3.0M
€3.5M
+15.6%
Expected: €3.6M
48.0
Min-hyeok Yang
Portsmouth FC • 20 years old
€3.0M
€3.5M
+15.6%
46.9
Tyler Goodrham (700441)
Oxford United • 23 years old
€2.6M
€3.0M
+15.6%
42.6
Joel Ndala
Hull City • 20 years old
€2.6M
€3.0M
+15.6%
41.3
Lamine Cissé
Stoke City • 23 years old
€2.2M
€2.5M
+15.6%
40.4
Sinclair Armstrong (724532)
Bristol City • 23 years old
€1.9M
€2.2M
+15.6%
38.9
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Sign up freeCallum Doyle (817688)
Wrexham AFC · 23 years old
70.4
ASI
Current Value
€15.0M
% Change
+15.6%
1yr Forecast Range
€13.1M - €16.0M
Tom Fellows (626319)
Southampton FC · 23 years old
61.0
ASI
Current Value
€10.0M
% Change
+15.6%
1yr Forecast Range
€8.4M - €12.1M
J. Makama
Norwich City · 22 years old
56.7
ASI
Current Value
€7.3M
% Change
+15.6%
1yr Forecast Range
€6.5M - €8.3M
D. Jebbison
Bournemouth · 23 years old
54.3
ASI
Current Value
€5.8M
% Change
+15.6%
1yr Forecast Range
€5.0M - €6.3M
Charlie Hughes
Hull City · 22 years old
48.0
ASI
Current Value
€3.5M
% Change
+15.6%
1yr Forecast Range
€3.2M - €3.9M
Min-hyeok Yang
Portsmouth FC · 20 years old
46.9
ASI
Current Value
€3.5M
% Change
+15.6%
1yr Forecast Range
Tyler Goodrham (700441)
Oxford United · 23 years old
42.6
ASI
Current Value
€3.0M
% Change
+15.6%
1yr Forecast Range
Joel Ndala
Hull City · 20 years old
41.3
ASI
Current Value
€3.0M
% Change
+15.6%
1yr Forecast Range
Lamine Cissé
Stoke City · 23 years old
40.4
ASI
Current Value
€2.5M
% Change
+15.6%
1yr Forecast Range
Sinclair Armstrong (724532)
Bristol City · 23 years old
38.9
ASI
Current Value
€2.2M
% Change
+15.6%
1yr Forecast Range
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Sign up freeMarket Overview: Championship Young Players (updated October 2026)
Our database tracks 52 Championship Young Players as of October 2026, representing 24 clubs with a combined market value of €80.6M. The average market value for Championship Young Players is €1.5M, with the average age at 22 years old.
The most valuable young player in the Championship is Callum Doyle (817688), worth €15.0M and playing for Wrexham AFC at 23 years old. The top 5 Young Players average €8.3M in market value, including Tom Fellows (626319) and J. Makama.
Age distribution shows the youngest tracked young player is Min-hyeok Yang (20 years, Portsmouth FC, €3.5M), while the oldest is Callum Doyle (817688) (23 years, Wrexham AFC, €15.0M). Research shows Young Players typically peak at age 26.
Our 1-year forecast model projects 48 Young Players (92%) will increase in market value over the next 12 months based on age-curve trajectories, current performance trends, and playing time analysis. The Championship market for Young Players remains actively developing with emerging talent as of October 2026.
Explore Market Size by Position in Championship
Interactive bubble chart showing predicted 2-year growth vs current age for all Championship Young Players. Identify undervalued assets and track market momentum across 24 clubs with €80.6M combined value.
Age Distribution: Championship Young Players
The Championship ALL market shows 2 distinct age segments, with the largest cohort in the 21-23 bracket (43 players, 83% of market). The 21-23 age group holds the most value at €71.1M, averaging €1.7M per player.
Top Young Players by Age Bracket
U21 Years (9 players)
21-23 Years (43 players)
Market Value Distribution
Elite Tier Concentration
The top 6 Young Players (12% of players) control €45.1M
Market Tiers
Market structure shows distributed value with high (€15-30m) tier representing 2% of the Championship ALL pool.
High (€15-30M)
Mid (€5-15M)
Emerging (<€5M)
Club Distribution: Championship Young Players
Among 24 Championship clubs, Wrexham AFC leads with 1 Young Players worth €15.0M (averaging €15.0M per player). The top 10 clubs account for 52% of tracked Young Players.
Wrexham AFC (1 Young Players)
Southampton FC (1 Young Players)
Norwich City (4 Young Players)
Hull City (2 Young Players)
Scout Tools
Advanced analytics for scouting and recruitment decisions. Each tool provides unique insights into player value, potential, and market dynamics.
Pre-Peak Value Efficiency (PPVE)
Identifies pre-peak players offering exceptional value relative to their age bracket. Higher PPVE = better value.
Understanding Pre-Peak Value Efficiency (PPVE)
Wrexham AFC's Callum Doyle (817688) at 23 years old has the highest Pre-Peak Value Efficiency at 27.27×. That means Callum Doyle (817688) is valued 27.27× higher than the median player in the 21-23 age bracket-representing exceptional value before reaching peak age.
In second is Southampton FC's Tom Fellows (626319), who is 23 years old, with a 18.18× PPVE. Third is J. Makama of Norwich City, who is 22 years old with a 13.27× PPVE.
How PPVE is calculated: PPVE compares a player's current market value to the median value of all players in their age bracket. A PPVE of 27.27× means the player is worth 2627% more than typical players their age-making them high-value targets before they reach peak value.
PPVE by Age Bracket
| Rank | Player | Age | Bracket | Current Value | Bracket Median | PPVE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Callum Doyle (817688) Wrexham AFC | 23 | 21-23 | €15.0M | €550K | 27.27x |
| #2 | Tom Fellows (626319) Southampton FC | 23 | 21-23 | €10.0M | €550K | 18.18x |
| #3 | J. Makama Norwich City | 22 | 21-23 | €7.3M | €550K | 13.27x |
| #4 | D. Jebbison Bournemouth | 23 | 21-23 | €5.8M | €550K | 10.55x |
| #5 | Min-hyeok Yang Portsmouth FC | 20 | U21 | €3.5M | €500K | 7.00x |
| #6 | Charlie Hughes Hull City | 22 | 21-23 | €3.5M | €550K | 6.36x |
| #7 | Joel Ndala Hull City | 20 | U21 | €3.0M | €500K | 6.00x |
| #8 | Tyler Goodrham (700441) Oxford United | 23 | 21-23 | €3.0M | €550K | 5.45x |
| #9 | Lamine Cissé Stoke City | 23 | 21-23 | €2.5M | €550K | 4.55x |
| #10 | Sinclair Armstrong (724532) Bristol City | 23 | 21-23 | €2.2M | €550K | 4.00x |
| #11 | Abdoulaye Kanté Middlesbrough FC | 21 | 21-23 | €2.0M | €550K | 3.64x |
| #12 | Josh Coburn (646727) Millwall FC | 23 | 21-23 | €1.5M | €550K | 2.73x |
| #13 | Jamie Donley Oxford United | 21 | 21-23 | €1.5M | €550K | 2.73x |
| #14 | Kellen Fisher (855298) Norwich City | 22 | 21-23 | €1.5M | €550K | 2.73x |
| #15 | Rayan Kolli (867699) Queens Park Rangers | 21 | 21-23 | €1.5M | €550K | 2.73x |
| #16 | Hayden Matthews Portsmouth FC | 22 | 21-23 | €1.3M | €550K | 2.36x |
| #17 | Brodie Spencer Oxford United | 22 | 21-23 | €1.2M | €550K | 2.18x |
| #18 | Terry Devlin (693440) Portsmouth FC | 22 | 21-23 | €1.0M | €550K | 1.82x |
| #19 | Junior Tchamadeu Stoke City | 22 | 21-23 | €1.0M | €550K | 1.82x |
| #20 | Aidomo Emakhu Millwall FC | 22 | 21-23 | €900K | €550K | 1.64x |
Return-to-Peak Potential (RPP)
Recovery potential from current value to forecasted peak. Shows how much upside remains for players approaching their prime.
Unlock Return-to-Peak analysis for Championship Young Players.
Upgrade to FanRisk-Adjusted Upside (RAU)
Upside potential weighted against forecast uncertainty. Higher RAU = better risk-reward profile.
Unlock Risk-Adjusted Upside for Championship Young Players.
Upgrade to FanRoster Pressure Index (RPI)
Squad depth pressure based on Z-score distribution. Negative RPI = thin depth, positive = deep roster.
Unlock Roster Pressure Index for Championship Young Players.
Upgrade to FanAge-Share Concentration (ASC)
Identifies players capturing disproportionate value relative to age group representation. Positive ASC = value concentration.
Unlock Age-Share Concentration for Championship Young Players.
Upgrade to FanBuy-Now vs Wait-List Map
Categorizes players by age position and upside potential to guide timing of acquisition.
Unlock the Buy Map for Championship Young Players.
Upgrade to FanPrice vs Peer Z-Score
IQR-based pricing analysis relative to position peers. Identifies over/undervalued players vs market.
Unlock Peer Z-Score analysis for Championship Young Players.
Upgrade to FanIf you were Championship's sporting director, who would you sign?
Pick a club, select up to 3 players, and build your transfer proposal.
How We Rank Championship Young Players
Our Analytical Strength Index is calibrated specifically for young players, using position-specific age curves and playing time benchmarks. The model draws from academic research on player valuation (Franck & Nüesch, 2012) and age-performance curves (Dendir, 2016).
Scoring Components for ALL
Historical Achievement Index (35%)
Peak career market value for Championship young players, reflecting proven track record and reputation. Uses log-scale to account for exponential value distribution at elite level.
Current Performance Proxy (30%)
Present market value for Championship young players, capturing recent form, injuries, and current performance level. Weighted to reflect age-related depreciation patterns.
Playing Time Utilization (18%)
Midfielders with 2,400+ minutes score highest, indicating regular starting role and sustained performance.
Age-Adjusted Performance Curve (12%)
Midfielders peak at 27 with 6.0%/year decline. Pre-peak players score higher on development trajectory.
Competition Level Adjustment (3%)
Championship competition level factored into comparative strength assessment.
Performance Expectations Multiplier (2%)
Players at clubs with Champions League pedigree face higher performance standards and tactical complexity, contributing to development and market validation.
ALL Performance Benchmarks
Peak Age: 27 years (technical skill and tactical awareness)
Decline Rate: Widening steps, not a flat rate: about -5% at 28, -10% at 29, steeper from 30 (technical skills age better than physical attributes)
Optimal Minutes: 2,400-2,500 per season (balance of involvement and recovery)
1-Year Market Value Forecast
Probabilistic model combining age-curve depreciation, value momentum, and playing time factors:
• Age Factor: Compounding and banded around a peak of 27: +25%/year through age 21, +15% at 22-23, +10% up to the year before peak, then -5%, -10% and steeper with each later band. Growth is damped above €30M.
• Value Trajectory: Near career peak (>95% of peak value): +3% momentum | Moderate decline: -5%
• Playing Time Factor: Regular starters (+2%), Squad rotation (-2%)
• Forecast Range: ±12-15% confidence interval
Research Foundation
• Dendir (2016): Age-performance curves for young players
• Carmichael et al. (2011): Player depreciation in top leagues
• Franck & Nüesch (2012): Hedonic pricing models for talent valuation
• Szymanski, S. (2015). Money and Soccer: A Soccernomics Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Championship Young Players, updated October 2026
Who are the most valuable Young Players in the Championship right now?
The most valuable young player in the Championship today is Callum Doyle (817688), who is worth €15.0M and plays for Wrexham AFC. The second most valuable is Tom Fellows (626319) (€10.0M, Southampton FC), followed by J. Makama (€7.3M, Norwich City). Our database tracks 52 Championship Young Players with comprehensive market valuations updated in October 2026.
How are Championship Young Players ranked?
Championship Young Players are ranked by our proprietary Analytical Strength Index, which is specifically calibrated for Young Players. The score combines six factors: Historical Achievement Index (35%) measuring peak career value, Current Performance Proxy (30%) reflecting recent market signals, Playing Time Utilization (18%) tracking minutes played, Age-Adjusted Performance Curve (12%) using position-specific peak ages, League Quality Coefficient (3%) for Championship competition level, and Club Tier Multiplier (2%) accounting for club prestige. This methodology is grounded in academic research including work by Dendir (2016) on age-performance curves and Franck & Nüesch (2012) on hedonic pricing models.
What age do Young Players peak?
How much does it cost to sign a top young player from the Championship?
Transfer fees for Championship Young Players vary significantly based on market value, contract length, and club bargaining position. For the top-ranked young player Callum Doyle (817688) (market value: €15.0M), estimated transfer fees would range from €12.0M to €21.0M depending on contract situation. Players with longer contracts (3+ years) command premium fees (1.2-1.4× market value), while those in the final year may be available for 0.8-1.1× market value. Our fee estimates are derived from historical transfer patterns and contract-clock modifiers validated against actual Championship transactions.
What is the value forecast for Championship Young Players?
Our 1-year forecast model projects market value changes for Championship Young Players based on age-curve depreciation, historical trajectory, and playing time adjustments. The forecast combines three factors: age-based appreciation/depreciation (pre-peak players compound gains toward their position's peak age, up to +25% a year through age 21 and easing as they approach it, while post-peak players fall in widening steps), market trajectory momentum (comparing current to peak value), and playing time confidence (regular starters receive +2% boost). Forecast confidence intervals account for position-specific volatility-midfielders have ±12-15% volatility. Young players (under 22) and older players (over 32) receive 1.15× uncertainty multipliers due to unpredictable development or decline patterns.
Where does the Championship young player data come from?
Our Championship young player data is sourced from Football Analytics AI's proprietary Transfer Intelligence Database, which aggregates market valuations, player statistics, contract information, and transfer histories from multiple industry sources. Market values are updated regularly based on player performance, injuries, contract negotiations, and transfer market activity. We enhance this data with our proprietary analytics including position-specific scoring algorithms, age-performance curves calibrated to academic research, and statistical forecast models. All data is validated against official Championship sources and updated monthly (last update October 2026) to ensure accuracy for recruitment and investment decisions.