Analysis

Championship promotion race: How did the January window impact the battle to reach the Premier League?

Did the promotion challengers in the Championship do enough in the January window to bolster their squads? Or have they left themselves short as we head towards the business end of the season...

Simeon Gholam

EFL Editor @simeongholam

Wednesday 4 February 2026 11:57, UK

The January window is shut and the race for the Premier League is well and truly on.

But how did winter business impact the Championship promotion battle? Did all the runners and riders get the players in they need, or did they leave themselves short?

We take a look...

Coventry City

What did they need?

Frank Lampard mentioned time and time again when Coventry were flying in the early part of the season that their squad lacked depth, and those warnings came to pass in the hectic period around December and January. A lead that once seemed unassailable at the top has been cut to just goal difference.

They needed extra options in attack, midfield reinforcement and perhaps an extra centre-back.

Who have they signed?

Yang Min-Hyeok - winger on loan from Tottenham
Romain Esse - winger on loan from Crystal Palace
Jahnoah Markelo - winger from Zurich
Frank Onyeka - midfielder on loan from Brentford
Yang Min-Hyeok - winger on loan from Tottenham

Did they do enough?

While many Coventry fans would have been hoping the club would go big to capitalise on their best position in years, overall the business has been solid.

Onyeka could prove vital in the middle of the park for a team that have let leads turn into defeats in their last two games. While Yang hasn't quite hit the ground running yet, Esse has certainly impressed.

Middlesbrough

What did they need?

To hold on to Hayden Hackney, who was subject to bids on Deadline Day. And to maybe add a striker. Overall, the squad was pretty solid.

Who have they signed?

Jeremy Sarmiento - winger from Brighton
Leo Castledine - attacking midfielder from Chelsea
Finley Munroe - full-back from Aston Villa
Joe Wildsmith - goalkeeper from West Brom

Did they do enough?

Yes. There would have been some murmurings of perhaps needing another striker, but overall the business has strengthened them in areas they were a little light.

Hull City

What did they need?

Some added depth in the full-back areas wouldn't have hurt, as well as maybe some more backup for Oli McBurnie up top.

Who have they signed?

Kieran Dowell - attacking midfielder from Rangers
Paddy McNair - defender from San Diego
Yu Hirawka - forward on loan from Bristol City
Toby Collyer - midfielder on loan from Man Utd
Lewis Koumas - winger on loan from Liverpool

Did they do enough?

Absolutely. Hull have emerged as unlikely contenders in the promotion race, and they strengthened superbly with the loan market in January. Their squad is far stronger than it was at the turn of the year.

Ipswich Town

What did they need?

A striker. George Hirst and Chuba Akpom haven't quite done the business this season in attack and having someone putting away the amount of chances they create could fire them back towards the top two.

Who have they signed?

Anis Mehmeti - attacking midfielder from Bristol City
Dan Neil - midfielder from Sunderland

Did they do enough?

Not exactly. They didn't need a huge amount with the squad they have at their disposal, but a No 9 could have made the difference and they didn't get one in.

And what about the rest of the top six?

Millwall are in fifth and have added experience in Barry Bannan in midfield, as well as bringing in loan additions of goalkeeper Anthony Patterson and winger Tommy Watson.

Wrexham are not messing around, having fought their way into sixth. Defender Zak Vyner and strikers Davis Keillor-Dunn and Bailey Cadamarteri were signed just before the window shut.