The EFL Championship, the second-tier of English football, is set to resume later this month, just three days after the resumption of the Premier League.
The Championship is considered to be one of the toughest leagues around the world, given the kind competition on offer, combined with the overall number of games.
And the prize waiting, in the end, is lucrative enough for all the 24 clubs to fight for the three promotion spots.
This season has been different compared to others, given the sudden halt that had to be enforced. following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Several possibilities to see out the season were discussed before finally deciding on the present course of action.
Players have now returned to the training grounds as they hope to contribute towards the cause of their teams for the remaining nine rounds of fixtures.
While a steady defensive performance will be a prerequisite, the money will be put on the goalscorers to change the outcome of a game.
So, we are going to take a look at five players who could win the Championship Golden Boot at the end of the season.
#1 Aleksandar Mitrovic (Fulham)
The striker from Serbia has been the mainstay for Scott Parker’s team up front, scoring 23 of the 64 goals the team have scored so far this season.
His conversion rate stands at 52 per cent and he currently leads the race for the Championship Golden Boot.
He takes 133 minutes to score each goal, and if Fulham is to seriously challenge for a spot in the Premier League next season, Aleksandar Mitrovic will have to play a crucial role over the course of the remaining nine games or beyond if the Cottagers are forced to the playoffs.
The additional goals in the playoffs will also give him the chance to get an edge over his competitors for the honour.
#2 Ollie Watkins (Brentford)
The Brentford man has 22 goals to his name, one less than his Fulham counterpart. Ollie Watkins has been one of the main architects behind Brentford’s rise this season.
Together with Fulham, Brentford has the distinction of scoring the highest number of goals in the present Championship campaign, with Watkins contributing significantly to that.
There is obviously a reason why Premier League side West Ham have been showing an interest in securing the services of the 24-year-old. Watkins has a 62 percent conversion rate, which is even higher than Mitrovic’s, and he can very well turn out to be a difference-maker when the season resumes.
Moreover, Brentford’s potential involvement in the playoffs will further add to his chances of winning the Golden Boot.
#3 Lewis Grabban (Nottingham Forest)
Lewis Grabban has been on the pitch for 3105 minutes for Nottingham Forest this season, scoring 17 goals and providing two assists. He has a conversion rate of 46 per cent and can prove to be the determining factor if Sabri Lamouchi’s side manage to make it to the playoffs.
At 32, the striker probably won’t have many more years left in his career, and he will do everything he can to make the present campaign memorable.
#4 Karlan Grant (Huddersfield Town)
At 64 per cent, Karlan Grant has the highest conversion rate among the strikers in the Championship.
The 22-year-old has been on the pitch for 3005 minutes, scoring 16 goals and setting up four more for his team-mates.
With his team being at the wrong end of the table at this point in time, Grant can prove to be crucial if Huddersfield Town are to save their Championship status at the end of the season.
Grant has spoken about his desire to play in the Premier League again.
“I’d love to play in the Premier League and if I could get there with Huddersfield, even better.”
The chances of the dream becoming a reality with Huddersfield doesn’t seem likely, and Grant will need to make sure he increases his possibilities of securing a move to a Premier League club next season by performing consistently for the remainder of the Championship games in the present campaign.
#5 Patrick Bamford (Leeds United)
The Leeds United talisman is yet to get into his stride fully this season. The 26-year-old has featured in all but one league game for the Whites this term, finding the back of the net 13 times.
While winning the Championship Golden Boot is still some way off, Bamford definitely possesses the qualities to do so.
And under the vastly experienced manager, Marcelo Bielsa, Bamford might end the season with a flourish to bridge the gap between him and the others above him, and in the process, not only win the personal accolade but also take his team back to the promised land of the Premier League.
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