EFL Championship Team of the Season 2026: Middlesbrough & Southampton stars dominate | OneFootball

FLW has named the best XI in the EFL Championship since the turn of the calendar year

The Championship season is heading towards the crucial run-in period, where the ambitions and dreams of several clubs can be made or shattered.

As always, it has been an enthralling campaign in the second tier, and there is still plenty to be decided between now and the end of the regular season on May 2nd, including the automatic promotion places, who takes up the play-off positions and which two sides will be joining Sheffield Wednesday in League One.

As well as being treated to a fair share of drama, onlookers of the Championship will have also seen plenty of starring individual performances from across the campaign, and that hasn't changed since the turn of the year, when, if anything, they gain even more attention.

With that being said, Football League World have picked out the 11 standout performers in the Championship since New Year's Day into a 4-3-3 formation.

GK: Carl Rushworth

Coventry City's start to 2026 has certainly been indifferent, and it could have been worse if it wasn't for the performances of goalkeeper, Carl Rushworth.

The Brighton loanee has certainly proven to be a key signing for Frank Lampard this season, and whilst question marks have, at times, appeared about the form of those in front of him, the England youth international has been a safe pair of hands more often than not.

City supporters will hope that remains the case and that they can return to the Premier League for the first time in 25 years.

RB: Callum Brittain

The first of two Middlesbrough defenders is right-back, Callum Brittain.

The £3.5m summer signing has been consistent throughout the majority of the season under Rob Edwards and now Kim Hellberg, providing the Reds with plenty of creative spark from deep, as well as often winning plenty of his individual battles against opposing wingers.

As a result, the 27-year-old could be on course for the first Premier League campaign of his career if Boro are to get over the line.

CB: Adilson Malanda

Next to Brittain is Adilson Malanda, who has slotted in seamlessly since arriving from Charlotte FC for $8m (£5.9m).

Although he was recruited under Edwards' management, the Frenchman has showcased the hallmarks of a Premier League-level centre-back in less than 10 Championship outings for the North East side, winning over 60 percent of his aerial battles, as well as being composed on the ball.

CB: Taylor Harwood-Bellis

Alongside Malanda is Southampton's Taylor Harwood-Bellis, whose form has certainly improved in recent weeks.

The one-time England international has continued to provide a goal threat for Saints from attacking set-pieces, as well as offering his natural defensive assurance in a relative upturn in form for Tonda Eckert's side.

As such, FLW exclusively revealed in January that the £20m-rated defender has become the subject of Premier League interest, with all of Burnley, West Ham and Everton subsequently linked.

LB: Kai Wagner

Left-back was previously a problem position for Birmingham City. However, the January arrival of Kai Wagner has certainly eradicated those issues for Chris Davies.

The German previously earned a reputation for being an 'assist king' in the MLS for Philadelphia Union, and that proved to be the case just four minutes into his debut against Coventry on January 4th with a stunning setup for Marvin Ducksch, before netting against Cambridge United six days later.

As well as his offensive qualities, Wagner has helped Blues become much more solid defensively as they look to break into the play-offs.

CM: Regan Slater

Regan Slater of Hull City is the first of three midfield picks.

The Tigers have been the Championship's surprise package this term as they look to achieve a play-off spot after being hit with transfer restrictions, and the 26-year-old has been a key reason for their success under Sergej Jakirovic.

Whilst amassing over 200 City appearances, Slater's metronomic nature has seen him win several battles all across the pitch this season, as well as linking play well and becoming much more of a goal threat after a difficult personal campaign last term.

CM: Hayden Hackney

Perhaps the least surprising pick on this list is Middlesbrough's Hayden Hackney.

The homegrown talent continues to be a revelation for Boro, and he has provided plenty of energy in the middle of the park in Hellberg's unrelenting style, which has allowed his team to create chances at will and not give many opponents a moment's peace.

Hackney has, unsurprisingly, continued to be monitored by several Premier League sides, but there's every chance he will be realising those dreams with his boyhood club next year if their impressive form continues.

CM: Azor Matusiwa

Making up the midfield is Azor Matusiwa of Ipswich Town.

The 27-year-old was linked with Liverpool earlier in his career, and at times, it's not been hard to see why, with the Dutchman providing plenty of steel and control in Kieran McKenna's midfield.

Despite the occasional below-par performance, it is not outrageous to suggest that the ex-Rennes man has been one of the most consistent players across the division for the entire season thus far.

RW: Morgan Whittaker

After a difficult first 12 months in a Middlesbrough shirt, Morgan Whittaker has entered a rich vein of form in recent weeks.

The 25-year-old has already hit double-figures in terms of goals, and is showcasing exactly why his signature was so heavily courted by the North East side after a fine spell with Plymouth Argyle, during which his former employers were fighting for survival.

After previously receiving Premier League interest, the Derby-born man is also looking at a first career stint in the top-flight later in the year if he is able to keep providing moments of magic.

LW: Leo Scienza

Whilst the aforementioned Harwood-Bellis has improved for Southampton in recent weeks, Leo Scienza has been the standout performer for Saints since his switch from FC Heidenheim.

The 27-year-old Brazilian has provided plenty of flair under Eckert and his predecessor, Will Still, in what has been an indifferent campaign at St Mary's overall.