What the most expensive XI in EFL Championship history actually looks like | OneFootball

FLW has looked at which players would make up this 'costly' lineup

The Championship has been home to many great players over the years, and many clubs in the Premier League and overseas are certainly beginning to take more note of the talent within the division as a result.

This season, perhaps, though, has been one of the most open Championship campaigns in recent memory, with none of the three sides relegated from the Premier League running away with the title, whilst the relegation battle remains as enthralling as ever.

There are also several clubs who are looking to flex their financial muscles in a bid to reach the Premier League as soon as possible, with the likes of Wrexham and Birmingham City two of those in particular despite only being promoted from League One at the end of last season.

Meanwhile, it has been well-documented that Sheffield Wednesday's financial uncertainty led to an 18-point deduction and the earliest-ever relegation in EFL history in February 2026, whilst Leicester City were also hit with a six-point deduction for PSR breaches.

However, those potential sanctions certainly haven't stopped a multitude of sides from investing heavily in player transfers in the past.

With that in mind, Football League World has looked at which 11 players would make up the most expensive Championship side of all-time, and here is the result in a 4-3-3 formation.

GK: Mads Hermansen

Between the sticks is Danish international goalkeeper, Mads Hermansen, who joined Leicester from Brondby IF for a reported initial £5m fee in July 2023 on a five-year contract.

Hermansen would then taste immediate success with the East Midlands side under Enzo Maresca, as they won the Championship title in 2023/24.

He kept 13 clean sheets across 44 league outings, before finding it tough in last season's Premier League as Leicester suffered relegation at the first time of asking, before they agreed a £20m sale with West Ham United in August 2025.

The 25-year-old has struggled at the London Stadium, though, and there is still a chance he could be back in the Championship next season with the Hammers fighting against relegation.

RB: Jayden Bogle

At right-back is Jayden Bogle, who was involved in a £5m switch from Sheffield United to Leeds United in July 2024.

Having played 159 times at Championship level for the aforementioned sides and Derby County beforehand, the 25-year-old proved himself as a high-quality full-back with his defensive nous and ability to create chances from deep and out wide with his pace.

As such, it isn't the greatest of surprises to see Bogle continuing to impress at Elland Road in 2025/26 as the Whites look to reconsolidate in the Premier League under Daniel Farke.

CB: Maxime Esteve

Although Maxime Esteve initially joined Burnley on loan from Montpellier in January 2024, the French defender's move to Turf Moor was made permanent ahead of the 2024/25 Championship season for a reported €15m (£12.9m).

Esteve proved to be a colossal figure for the Clarets, who built their promotion success upon defensive solidity, only conceding 16 times all season, whilst he also scored once.

The 23-year-old's high ceiling was also further echoed by transfer links to AC Milan during the latter stages of the campaign, although a move to the San Siro wouldn't materialise.

CB: James Chester

Partnering Esteve in this side is James Chester, who moved to Aston Villa from local rivals, West Bromwich Albion, following their relegation to the Championship in 2016 for £7m.

The Welsh centre-back proved to be an integral figure for the Villans in their rebuilding period under the likes of Steve Bruce and Dean Smith, and his commitment to the cause was echoed by the fact he played through the pain barrier during the 2018/19 season which ended in play-off final joy over Derby.

That saw Chester promoted for a second time in his career, having done the same with Hull City six years beforehand.

However, injuries saw him retire in February 2025 at 36.

LB: Adam Reach

A versatile figure, Adam Reach slots into this side's left-back position as a result of his move from Middlesbrough to Sheffield Wednesday in 2016, which set the Owls back £5m.

However, he would prove to be a fan favourite at Hillsborough across 234 appearances, during which he amassed 24 goals and 34 further assists.

It is hard not to think of Reach without his stunning strike against Leeds United in September 2018, and he could be back in the division next term with Lincoln City.

CM: Ruben Neves

Perhaps the greatest technical player to have graced the Championship stage, it sent shockwaves through the footballing world when Ruben Neves swapped FC Porto for Wolverhampton Wanderers for £15.8m in July 2017.

It was a statement of intent from the Old Gold and Black, who coasted to the title under Nuno Espirito Santo in 2017/18, with the Portuguese scoring six times - the majority of which were stunning finishes.

He went on to play 253 times for the West Midlands outfit, which included a campaign of UEFA Europa League football in 2019/20, before moving to Saudi Pro League side, Al-Hilal, for £47m in June 2023.

CM: Caspar Jander

One of two current Championship players to feature within this side is Southampton's all-action German midfielder, Caspar Jander.

The Under-21 international was signed from FC Nuremberg for £10.4m in August 2025, and he has immediately become a staple in Saints' midfield under Tonda Eckert and the man who initially brought him to St Mary's, Will Still.

Jander hasn't quite been able to add a similar number of goal contributions from his time with Nuremberg to Southampton just yet, but he has been just as key in a defensive-minded midfield role.

As such, the club have already set a reported £21m asking price on his shoulders as they brace for summer interest from the likes of TSG Hoffenheim, VfB Stuttgart and RB Leipzig of the Bundesliga.

CM: Joao Carvalho

Nottingham Forest haven't been afraid to splash the cash since their Premier League return in 2022. But, there was a time when their club-record incoming came in the Championship.

Back in 2018, they parted with £13.2m to sign Portuguese playmaker, Joao Carvalho, from SL Benfica on a five-year contract, as they set out their promotion intentions.

Unfortunately for the playmaker, he would never be able to fully justify the hefty price-tag, as he provided just 17 goal contributions in 75 appearances before eventually securing a permanent exit to Olympiacos in January 2022 after a previous loan stint with Almeria in the Spanish Segunda División.

RW: Sindre Walle Egeli

Before the 2025/26 Championship season began, Ipswich Town were seen as many people's title favourites as a result of the strength-in-depth and resources at Kieran McKenna's disposal.

Such beliefs only intensified when the Tractor Boys smashed the Championship's all-time transfer record to sign Norwegian prospect, Sindre Walle Egeli, for £17.5m from Danish Superliga outfit, FC Nordsjaelland.

However, it is clear that Town were looking at buying into Egeli's all-round potential as well as the impact he could immediately make at Portman Road, with some supporters still waiting to see the best in the 19-year-old at this moment in time.

LW: Mike Tresor

Egeli's arrival in Suffolk trumped the £15.4m which Burnley were forced to part with due to an obligatory clause in Mike Tresor's initial loan switch from KRC Genk in September 2023.

Unbelievably, he is still contracted to the Clarets right now, having made four appearances in the 2025/26 campaign before sustaining an ankle problem.