Opinion: Our Championship Team of the Season

Which players have made the Championship’s best 11?

April is usually the time where each division announces their team of the season. But, with the coronavirus outbreak postponing all football until June, at earliest, it’s only right to choose the best Championship squad of from the 2019/20 season so far.

Note this is only my personal opinion so feel free to disagree.

Goalkeeper – Brice Samba

Brice Samba infront of the adoring Forest fans Credit – Joseph Rayner, Nottingham Post

Our man between the sticks is Nottingham Forest’s Brice Samba.

The Congolese was signed from Caen in the Summer. He started the season as a back up Keeper to Arijanet Muric, however the on-loan Manchester City players’ cagey start to the season meant that Samba was given the heads up by manager Sabri Lamouchi.

He has repaid the manager’s faith In the 33 games the 25 year old has has played this season, he has kept 12 clean sheets, and has made some crucial saves for Forest this season, most recently his punch off the line against Leeds

Right-Back – Matty Cash

The Nottingham Forest full-back has made it into our team of the season.

Originally a winger, the arrival of manager Sabri Lamouchi has seen the 22-year-old convert to a full-back, and he has impressed the Forest contingent in his new role. His defensive duties have been combined with becoming an additional option in Forest’s attacking prowess.

Cash has scored three times this season, assisting four goals while keeping 13 clean sheets at the back, keeping the East Midlands’ side in the fight for the play-offs.

Hia performances for Forest have caught the eye of clubs including Everton and AC Milan, however, he signed a new three-and-a-half-year deal in December to remain at the City Ground until 2023.

Centre Back – Semi Ajayi

Our man at centre half is Semi Ajayi.

Ajayi signed for West Bromwich Albion in the Summer for an undisclosed fee and he has made a real impact on Slaven Bilic’s sides season.

The former Rotherham man has played 35 games for this season, scoring five goals and has kept nine clean sheets for The Baggies.

Centre Back – Ben White

Ben White was named PFA Fans Player of the month in August
Credit – Leeds United

Alongside, Ajayi, is Leeds United’s Ben White

The on-loan Brighton defender has been a real asset for Marcelo Bielsa this season. After the departure of Pontus Janssen to Brentford last Summer, White filled the boots of the Swede.

White has played in all of Leeds’ matches so far this season, keeping a remarkable 17 clean sheets, while only conceding 30 goals. The best defensive record in the entire division.

No doubt the Leeds’ supporters will be hoping to hold on to him again next season.

Left Back – Joe Bryan

Joe Bryan has been key in Fulham’s chase for an instant return to the Premier League this season.

Like Matty Cash, Bryan is an attacking full-back and his statistics prove it, in 35 games, he has made seven assists while scoring once. He has also helped himself to 13 clean sheets which is the second-best in the division.

Central Midfield – Kalvin Phillips

Phillips has been another key player for Leeds this season. His role as that deep-lying, defensive playmaker, have been important in the Yorkshire sides’ forward play and protecting the back four.

In the 31 games the Leeds born midfielder has played, he has made two assists and has scored one goal. His decent performances have also lead to questions about whether Phillips should be given a call up to the England squad.

Central Midfield – Ebereci Eze

The first player in the  11 not to be in side from the top six. The Queens Park Rangers’ midfielder has been a joy to watch this season.

Eze has played in every single game for QPR this season. Scoring on 12 ocassions and assissting on eight. His contributions to goals have made Mark Warburton’s side the third highest scoring in the division with 58 goals,  steering Rangers away from any potential threats of danger.

Right Wing – Matheus Periera

Matheus Pereira has been a revelation for West Brom this season
Credit – West Bromwich Albion FC

Signed on loan from Sporting Lisbon in the summer, Matheus Pereira has been a joy to watch for West Brom this season and has become a real fans favourite.

Pereira has been the catalyst in West Brom’s promotion charge.In 33 games this season, Brazillian has scored six times and made an outstanding 16 assists.

Left Wing – Said Benrahma

Though Benrahma is a right winger, he also has the capability of playing on the left hand side of the attack.

The Algerian was linked with a move to Aston Villa last Summer, seeing him play under former boss, Dean Smith, but he remained at Griffin Park to keep playing under Smith’s former number two, Thomas Frank. Frank was no doubt happy by this decision as Benhrama has played a vital role for his side this season.

Benhrama has played 34 times for the Bees this campaign, bagging 10 goals along the way while making eight assists. He has also formed a strike partnership with Ollie Watkins and Brian Mbeumo known as ‘BMW’, will it drive The Bees to a place in the Premier League?

Striker – Ollie Watkins

Ollie Watkins – scored a hat-trick a Barnsley back in September
Credit – P/A

As already said, Watkins is part of the BMW partnership. Originally a winger, Thomas Frank has converted Watkins to a Central Striker.

Like his teammate Said Benrahma, he has been an important figure in Brentford’s promotion push.

Watkins has played all 37 games for his club this season, making three assists and scoring an impressive 22 goals, which is the second highest in the Championship and helping Brentford become the joint top scorers in the Chammpionship with 64 goals.

Striker – Aleksander Mitrovic

If Ollie Watkins is recognised for being the second highest scoring striker in the Sky Bet Championship, Mitrovic definitely gets in for being the Championships top scorer.

In 34 games, The Serbian has found the net 23 times, while claiming a single assist, which has helped Fulham keep in touching distance of the top.