Sheff Weds flop, Rooney’s goal-shy striker and Leeds starlet – Every Champ club’s worst player in 24/25
Here is the worst player at every Championship club during the 2024/25 season, according to WhoScored’s average match ratings…
The Football League snobs uninterested in the goings-on in the lower divisions can check out our list of this season’s worst players in the Premier League.
Are the bad eggs gone? Good. Let’s get to the worst of the crop in the *actual* best league in England…
(Disclaimer: Only players to feature at least 750 minutes this season qualify and this figure will increase the deeper we get into the campaign).
Blackburn Rovers: Yuki Ohashi (6.49)
Signed in the summer to fill the void left by Sammie Szmodics, Japan international Ohashi had a dream start at Ewood Park, scoring four goals in his first five Championship matches. But he’s now on a 15-game goalless run for John Eustace’s in-form side.
Bristol City: Sinclair Armstrong (6.21)
The Robins snatched Armstrong from league rivals QPR for £2m in the summer, but he’s taking some time to settle. His goal in the 4-0 win over Plymouth Argyle on November 30 was his first in nine games and he’s not kicked on since.
Burnley: Hannibal Mejbri (6.37)
It’s been downhill for Hannibal ever since Gary Neville said he was “proud” of the former Man Utd youngster for kicking Liverpool players in the 4-0 loss at Old Trafford in 2022.
READ: Leeds United star joins Norwich City trio in Championship team of the season so far
Cardiff City: Manolis Siopis (6.37)
Cardiff’s Greek defensive midfielder has slumped for the Championship strugglers this term after he shone during his debut season. He’s been struggling to hold down a regular place under new permanent boss Omer Riza, starting just 10 league matches.
Coventry City: Ellis Simms (6.20)
After a promising debut season following his £3.5m plus add-ons move from Everton, Simms has misplaced his shooting boots as he’s only scored two goals in 18 Championship matches. New boss Frank Lampard is yet to get more out of him than previous manager Mark Robins.
Derby County: Marcus Harness (6.44)
Paul Warne’s side snapped up Harness on a free transfer following Derby’s relegation and Ipswich Town’s promotion, but the versatile midfielder is having a stop-start season as his teammates take the spotlight.
Hull City: Abdlkadir Omur (6.22)
The Turkey international has failed to notch a goal or an assist in 18 Championship games and his side are on track for a season of misery after needlessly parting with Liam Rosenior, unless new boss Ruben Selles can halt their downfall.
Leeds United: Mateo Joseph (6.47)
Watchers of the Leeds United youngster got overly giddy as he impressed in pre-season and subsequently became a betting favourite to be the Championship’s top scorer. Following a bright start to the 2024/25 campaign, it’s been proven that the hype was premature as he’s without a goal in 11 league matches.
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Luton Town: Tahith Chong (6.42)
The Hatters have been one of this season’s biggest disappointments in the Championship and sack-threatened Rob Edwards remains under pressure. They are gradually moving away from the relegation zone, but his situation at Kenilworth Road is not helped by one of his most talented players – Chong – underperforming post-relegation.
Middlesbrough: Delano Burgzorg (6.41)
Signed after scoring seven goals for relegated Huddersfield Town last year, Burgzorg has mostly been on the periphery for Boro but has earned more starts after netting a brace in last month’s 5-1 demolition of Luton Town.
Millwall: Macauley Langstaff (6.25)
Previously a prolific goalscorer in the National League and League Two with Notts County, Langstaff earned his big Championship move but has been overshadowed by Duncan Watmore’s recent surprising resurgence.
Norwich City: Anis Ben Slimane (6.42)
After failing to produce anything of note for Sheffield United during last season’s miserable relegation campaign, Ben Slimane was sent to Norwich on loan in the summer. The Championship looks to fit his level more than the Premier League and the Tunisia international could stick around at Norwich – especially if his parent club get promoted – beyond this term.
Oxford United: Mark Harris (6.35)
Like Oxford, Harris made a really positive start to the season and scored four goals in his first four Championship games, though he has faded in recent months as they have drifted into the relegation picture. This run somewhat harshly cost former manager Des Buckingham his job, though reported replacement Gary Rowett is a good option.
Plymouth Argyle: Ryan Hardie (6.22)
Rightly or wrongly, Wayne Rooney’s job is at risk and if upcoming games do not go his way, he could be sacked before Christmas. The Man Utd legend has a limited squad and budget at Plymouth and one-goal Hardie’s form has declined after he reached double figures for goals last season.
READ: Five potential next moves for Wayne Rooney after inevitable Plymouth exit include Everton, Celtic
Portsmouth: Christian Saydee (6.33)
Pompey’s results have improved in recent weeks as they have moved off the bottom of the table, though they crashed down to earth by losing 4-0 to fellow promoted side Derby County last weekend. Saydee has struggled with the step-up post-promotion as the goal-shy forward only has eight league starts.
Preston North End: Stefan Thordarson (6.30)
The 25-cap Iceland international was signed from Silkeborg in the summer and there’s been no sign of his previous impressive scoring record in the Championship.
Queens Park Rangers: Zan Celar (6.23)
Another big-money forward to struggle after moving to the Championship in the summer, £1.7m Celar got off the mark with a brace in QPR’s priceless 2-0 win against Cardiff City. Frustratingly, he could not follow that up and is now out of action with a hamstring injury.
Sheffield United: Sydie Peck (6.55)
The Blades have one of the best academies in the Football League and 20-year-old Peck has earned rave reviews this season. He’s no Ollie Arblaster, but he shouldn’t be in the ‘worst player’ category either.
Sheffield Wednesday: Ike Ugbo (6.08)
It’s time for yet ANOTHER underperforming striker. Ugbo fired Sheff Weds to survival with seven goals in 18 games during last season’s loan but has failed to score in 19 games this season after making his move permanent for £2.5m. Gulp.
Stoke City: Junior Tchamadeu (6.33)
The right-back has benefitted from the appointment of Narcis Pelach as he’s moved up the pecking order at Stoke this season, but he’s been far from convincing as the out-of-form Championship side remain on track for yet another bottom-half finish. There are already some calls for the head coach to be dismissed.
Sunderland: Wilson Isidor (6.64)
The France U20 international joined the Black Cats on loan with an option to buy from Zenit St Petersburg in the summer and the forward has done pretty well, scoring five goals in his 18 Championship games. There are five reasons why Regis Le Bris’ side could be the real deal this season.
Swansea City: Zan Vipotnik (6.39)
Slovenia international Vipotnik joins a raft of other underperforming forwards to feature in this list. Unlike the others, the 22-year-old was a freebie and has scored four Championship goals, including one in his side’s narrow 3-2 defeat to Sunderland on Saturday.
Watford: James Morris (6.39)
Under novice boss Tom Cleverley, 23-year-old centre-back Morris started the campaign as one of the manager’s preferred options but has been rotated in and out of late.
West Bromwich Albion: John Swift (6.48)
The former Chelsea starlet provided 10-plus goal involvements in his two previous seasons at West Brom but has failed to contribute a single goal or assist in his 20 appearances this term.