The Championship is currently suspended due to the coronavirus outbreak but we are likely to see a thrilling end to the season once the league restarts from 20th June.
With just nine rounds of games remaining, as many as 13 teams still have a realistic chance of earning promotion to the Premier League next season, while the race at the bottom is just as intense with eight sides battling to avoid the drop.
Without further ado, let’s create our Championship Team of the Season so far. We are using the 4-2-4 formation.
Goalkeeper: Brice Samba (Nottingham Forest)
Brice Samba has turned out to be an outstanding performer for the Nottingham Forest this season, with the goalkeeper saving his team at pivotal moments. The miraculous save he made against Leeds United is still fresh in the minds of football fans who tune in to watch Championship football.
Samba, who didn’t start the campaign as the number one choice between the sticks at the City Ground, forced his way into the starting eleven and has been a commanding figure since. In 33 Championship appearances so far this season, he has kept 12 clean sheets and is one of the reasons behind Nottingham Forest being in the fifth spot.
Right-back: Luke Ayling (Leeds United)
Leeds United full-back Luke Ayling narrowly pips Nottingham Forest’s Matty Cash, who is also having an outstanding season in the Championship.
Ayling is a versatile player and can be deployed as a centre-back or in the midfield. He is hugely influential for Marcelo Bielsa’s side, owing to his consistency. Besides helping his side’s defence, Ayling has scored four goals and registered three assists in 28 league appearances this term.
Centre-back: Ben White (Leeds United)
Ben White, who is on loan from Brighton, has impressed so much that Leeds fans want the Whites to make his move permanent.
A ball-playing defender who is technically excellent, White is also a strong tackler. In 37 Championship appearances so far this season, he has helped Leeds keep 17 clean clean sheets – a staggering number.
Centre-back: Semi Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion)
Semi Ajayi, who was signed by West Brom from Rotherham last summer, has established himself as one of the top defenders in the Championship in the present campaign. His ability to read the game, besides his pace and strength allow Albion to play with a high defensive line which has been integral to their success.
Ajayi has made 35 appearances so far this season for the West Midlands club, scoring five goals and help keep eight clean sheets so far.
Left-back: Kristian Pedersen (Birmingham City)
Kristian Pedersen has been a shining light for Birmingham City, who are 16th on the Championship table. The full-back’s stats in terms of interceptions and tackles are among the very best in the division.
The Dane has performed brilliantly at both ends of the field, scoring four goals and providing two assists, in addition to keeping six clean sheets in 37 Championship appearances.
Defensive midfielder: Kalvin Phillips (Leeds United)
Kalvin Phillips has been the standout defensive midfielder in the Championship this season. The 24-year-old has a fantastic range of passing and his reading of the game is also excellent. It’s hard to spot a weakness in Phillips’ game, with the Yorkshireman being a good tackler and aerially strong too. His energy is integral to Leeds’ style of play.
Such has been Phillips’ influence that he is touted to earn an England to call-up very soon. In 31 appearances so far this season, he has scored once and set up two, in addition to shielding his side’s defence.
Central midfielder: Eberechi Eze (Queens Park Rangers)
Eberiche Eze is having such a good season, it might lead to a Premier League move soon. The 21-year-old is confident on the ball and knows how to create chances for his teammates with his passing.
Eze is a versatile player who can play as a number 10 or a central midfielder. In 37 Championship appearances so far this season, he has scored 12 goals and provided eight assists.
Left-winger: Said Benrahma (Brentford)
Brentford have surprised everyone with their attacking displays this season, with their front three known as BMW (Said Benrahma/Bryan Mbeumo/Ollie Watkins). Said Benrahma is the Player of the Season for many because of his dazzling displays on the left-wing for Brentford. The 24-year-old, who has been dubbed the “Algerian Messi” for his dribbling abilities, is outstanding with the ball in tight spaces and has phenomenally quick feet.
The Algerian international has scored 10 goals and provided seven assists in 34 league appearances this season. He is one of those players who look ready to make a move to a Premier League club.
Right-Wing: Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford)
Bryan Mbeumo became the club’s most expensive signing after joining from Ligue 2 side Troyes for €7.5 million last summer. The Frenchman has justified his price tag by putting in consistent performances throughout the season. He is a player with great dribbling ability and is very good in dead-ball situations.
The France youth international has made 34 appearances so far this season, being directly involved in 20 goals – 14 strikes and six assists.
Striker: Aleksandar Mitrovic (Fulham)
Aleksandar Mitrovic is arguably the best striker in the division. The Serbian, who was bought by Fulham for a whopping £22 million from Newcastle United, has been scoring goals for fun in the Championship this season.
In 34 appearances so far this season, he has scored 23 goals. Mitrovic is one of the main reasons behind Fulham being third on the table and pushing for automatic promotion to the Premier League next season. The striker’s form is going to play a key role in shaping the Cottagers’ fortunes when the season resumes.
Striker: Ollie Watkins (Brentford)
Ollie Watkins’ performances this season can be summed up in one word – sensational. The Brentford striker has wreaked havoc for the Championship defenders, with the 24-year-old forming a formidable partnership with Mbuemo and Benrahma upfront.
Watkins has found the back of the net 22 times, in addition to providing three assists in 37 Championship appearances in the present campaign.
Here’s how our Championship Team of the Season would line up.
Substitutes:
Matty Cash (Nottingham Forest)
Matheus Pereira (West Bromwich Albion)
Marek Rodak (Fulham)
Jack Harrison (Leeds United)
Joe Bryan (Fulham)
Patrick Bamford (Leeds United)
Lewis Grabban (Nottingham Forest)
Also Read:- Premier League 2019-20: Team of the Season