Ryan Sessegnon and Kenneth Zohore: The Championship stars who could join Chris Wood in the Premier League
SunSport's EFL export Tom Barclay picks out four exceptional talents he thinks top-flight clubs should be sniffing around
CHRIS WOOD netted on his Burnley bow - proving there is quality in the lower leagues for those clubs willing to take a chance on them.
And with only 48 hours remaining in the transfer window, here are four others from the Championship who could make the grade if given the opportunity.
Kenneth Zohore, Cardiff
THE Danish powerhouse looked in possession of two left feet when he first joined the Bluebirds.
But Neil Warnock has helped transform Zohore into one of the Championship’s most feared strikers.
Eleven league goals in the second half of last season - including a few wonderstrikes - showed how lethal the 23-year-old can be.
His sole strike this term came on the opening day via a cracking effort into the bottom corner to snatch the points at Burton.
Yet there is much more to Zohore’s game than just finding the back of the net.
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His hold-up play, raw power and electric pace makes him the ideal modern-day forward to lead the line on his own.
Brighton and Everton are both keen on prising him away from Cardiff - but Warnock insists he will not let it happen.
Recently asked if his star man could leave if a bid came in, the 68-year-old replied: “Not unless I have a heart attack and another manager takes over.”
Lamine Kone, Sunderland
IT was only 12 months ago that Kone looked to be on the verge of a £14million move to Everton.
That switch failed to materialise and since then the Ivory Coast defender’s stock has plummeted, along with Sunderland’s league position.
The defender was one of the players criticised by Darron Gibson for a lack of commitment during the Irishman’s drunken rant with fans the week before the season kicked off.
Simon Grayson has started him in every league game so far but the Black Cats would likely be glad to rid one of the high-earners from their wage bill.
Whether or not Kone is still thought of as a Premier League quality defender remains to be seen.
Should no top-flight club gamble on him being so, the 28-year-old will have no choice but to knuckle down and prove his worth in the second tier if he wants to stay in England.
Kamil Grosicki, Hull
AT 29, Premier League clubs may consider Grosicki not worth the investment.
A winger of that age has little resale value.
But any scouts who have watched Grosicki’s scintillating performances so far this season may think differently.
The Polish star, who has an impressive 50 caps for his country, has already bagged two goals and grabbed three assists this term.
And if boss Leonid Slutsky can somehow keep hold of him, then the Hull chief has a potential Championship Player of the Season on his hands.
After Grosicki inspired City to a 4-0 battering over Bolton last week, the Russian supremo said: “Kamil, when he wants, he can win each match in the Championship.”
Newcastle were said to be looking at the ex-Rennes man earlier in the summer while Swansea have been linked of late - and you can see why.
Ryan Sessegnon, Fulham
SLAVISA JOKANOVIC vowed Fulham would keep hold of star men Ryan Sessegnon and Tom Cairney just moments after losing in the play-off semi-finals in May.
And the Cottagers have proved as good as the Serb’s word with new deals inked by the pair.
That saw off interest from Newcastle in midfielder maestro Cairney.
But fresh terms has not put an end to Tottenham’s pursuit of wonderkid Sessegnon.
The versatile left-back only turned 17 a few months ago but plays with a maturity that belies his years.
Team-mates Cairney and Sone Aluko have likened him to a young Ashley Cole - but even the ex-Arsenal, Chelsea and England man was playing first-team football at Sessegnon’s age.
Spurs reportedly had a whopping £25m offer rejected by Fulham earlier this month.
And while any move would likely see Little Sess loaned back to Craven Cottage, you cannot rule out a late move before the window shuts on Thursday.
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