Callum Paterson names ex-Sheffield United star as the EFL's best ever player | OneFootball

Callum Paterson has named his pick for the EFL's greatest player of all time

Callum Paterson has earned a lot of EFL experience over the last 10 years after enjoying stints at Cardiff City and Sheffield Wednesday before signing for MK Dons in 2025.

The 31-year-old made the move to the Bluebirds in 2017 from Hearts, and he spent three years before joining Sheffield Wednesday.

The Scotland international was a part of the Owls team that suffered relegation to League One in 2021, but he helped the club regain their place in the Championship under Darren Moore.

But he made the switch to MK Dons last summer, taking the step down to League Two after Danny Rohl’s side had earned a 12th place finish in the second division.

Paterson has been a consistent presence for his new club as they’ve chased promotion to League One under Paul Warne.

Callum Paterson names best EFL player of all time

Paterson has named former Sheffield United forward Billy Sharp as the best player to ever grace the EFL, despite his own connections to rivals Sheffield Wednesday.

He called the striker a goal machine in a comment that may not go down well with supporters of his former club.

When asked who is the EFL’s greatest of all time, he replied, viaLo72 on Instagram: “Of all time? It’s got to be Sharp, hasn’t it?”

“He’s a goal machine, man.”

Sharp made his first appearance in the EFL for Dagenham & Redbridge during the 2004/05 League Two campaign, scoring nine times from 16 games in total while on loan from Sheffield United.

He’s scored for the likes of Scunthorpe United, Doncaster Rovers, Southampton, Nottingham Forest, Reading, Leeds United and Hull City, as well as Dagenham and the Blades during his lengthy career.

The striker is still plying his trade in League One, returning to Doncaster in 2024, where he helped the team gain promotion in his first campaign back.

Sharp also has the distinction of scoring in each of the top four divisions in English football.

It remains to be seen for how much longer the 40-year-old will continue competing in the EFL, with Rovers firmly mid-table in their first year back in the third tier of English football.

Meanwhile, Paterson remains a consistent presence for MK Dons as uncertainty surrounds his future with the club ahead of the expiration of his contract.

Billy Sharp deserves recognition regardless of Sheffield affiliation

Paterson’s past may be with Sheffield United’s closest rivals, but even Owls supporters can recognise the impressive career of Sharp.

He scored in each of the top four divisions, an honour he shares with just a select few people in the modern era.

The 40-year-old began his career over 20 years ago and is still contributing goals in the EFL, which is also an impressive achievement and a testament to his prowess in front of goal.

The debate over the best player to ever grace the EFL could deliver a dozen answers when asked to a dozen people, but there is no doubt that Sharp has earned the right to be in that conversation given the impact he’s had across the divisions and at so many different clubs.