Top 5 Strikers in Championship History

The EFL Championship has earned the reputation of being one of the most challenging and physically demanding leagues in the world of football. With the prize of being promoted to the Premier League on the line, 24 teams across the UK battle it out each week. For over two decades, the Championship has produced unforgettable strikers whose goals have defined seasons. These strikers became icons for their clubs, pushed teams towards promotion, and broke records. This list pays homage to five of the best strikers to have graced the Championship.

Aleksander Mitrovic – The Record Breaker

There has never been a striker in the championship more dominant than Aleksander Mitrovic. At the heart of Fulham’s front line, Mitrovic has a combination of power, strength, and incredible finishing ability. He was a nightmare for defenders, and he bullied his way through teams. Mitrovic’s most iconic season was the 2021/22 season for Fulham, where he scored a staggering 43 goals in one season. This broke the record for most goals in a single season. Mitrovic brought much more than just his goal scoring; he was a natural-born leader who demanded excellence from his teammates.

Mitrovic’s ability to stay composed under pressure and maximise every opportunity was a perfect example of controlled decision-making. In football, as with the logical approach of using a bonus lock in calculator, success in the final third often comes from carefully reading the situation and knowing when to act decisively. His presence on the pitch was always felt, and since his departure in 2023, Fulham have struggled to replace him.

Billy Sharp – The Championships’ Finest

No striker has embodied what the Championship stands for more than Sheffield United legend Billy Sharp. With an incredible goal tally of 130 goals, no player has scored more goals in the Championship than Sharp. He made a career for himself by being an extremely consistent threat in front of the goal. Sharp might not have been the quickest or the most technically gifted, but there has never been a striker with a better eye for goal than him. He could score goals through poaching, precise headers, or calmly taken penalties. Sharp could do it all.

He quickly rose to the top at Sheffield United, where he became a club legend; his leadership and loyalty to the club were just as impactful as his goals. In Sheffield United’s promotion-winning season, Sharp was the heartbeat of the team, and without him, it is very possible that promotion may not have happened. Few players represent the Championships’ blend of grit and quality quite like Sharp did, and his legacy will remain forever.

Ross McCormack – Creativity Personified

Ross McCormack built his Championship reputation across a range of the top clubs in the league. He played for the likes of Leeds United, Fulham, and Aston Villa during his time in the league. McCormack’s standout campaign was in the 2013/14 season for Leeds, where he scored 28 goals and carried the team on his back. While most strikers on his list were known for their goal scoring alone, McCormack was also well known for his creative ability. He was capable of dropping into the midfield to link up play, he could take incredible set pieces, and score from any range. His versatility is what made him such a nightmare for opposition teams to deal with for a number of years.

Jordan Rhodes – The Clinical Finisher

Only Billy Sharp has scored more Championship goals than Jordan Rhodes, with an overall tally of 123 goals across an incredible career. Rhodes established himself as one of the league’s best goal scorers during his time at Blackburn Rovers. Then, in 2012, he made the switch to Huddersfield Town, where he instantly became a hit amongst fans. He had multiple seasons for Huddersfield where he scored over 20 goals, which was something quite rare in the Championship. Rhodes relied on his football IQ over his strength, as he was able to outsmart defenses and get into goal-scoring positions with relative ease. He was capable of making a half-chance into a guaranteed goal. While Rhodes was never able to replicate his Championship form in the Premier League, he remains one of the most clinical finishers in the league’s history.

Teemu Pukki – Norwich City’s Finnish Star

Norwich signed Teemu Pukki in 2018. When he initially signed, Norwich fans were not sure what to expect from him as he was an unknown commodity. In Pukki’s first Championship season, he managed to score 29 goals and was influential in Norwich winning the league title. Only two years later, he was able to recreate the same form from his first season, as Norwich were promoted again. Pukki’s best attributes were his tireless work rate and his calmness in front of goal. He was capable of timing perfect runs to break defensive lines and exploit the space, which made him one of the most efficient forwards the league has ever seen.

Pukki left Norwich in the summer of 2023 to join MLS side Minnesota United. Behind him, he left a legacy of being one of the best players in Norwich’s history and one of the best strikers to have played in the Championship.