The best English XI in the current EFL Championship - Southampton star captains | OneFootball

FLW have devised an England XI consisting only of Championship players, including Middlesbrough, Coventry City, Ipswich Town, and Southampton stars...

The England squad is to be announced ahead of international friendlies against Uruguay and Japan, with a number of players selected with experience in the Championship.

There are current Championship players who will go on to play for England, while there are many who already have experience at England U-21 level and below in the youth system at St. George's Park.

The league is littered with more former internationals than you might think, with Kalvin Phillips, Patrick Bamford, Harry Winks, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Aaron Cresswell, Conor Coady, Jay Rodriguez, Alex McCarthy, Nathaniel Chalobah, Danny Ings, and Ashley Young all collecting at least one cap for England.

It's highly unlikely that any of those players will ever play for England again, in spite of Phillips only turning 30 recently and winning England Player of the Year as recently as 2021.

Here, we have had some fun and looked at an XI of the best English players in every position in the Championship.

A Championship XI of all English players

Thomas Tuchel may one day in the near future be selecting some of these for the senior team, but we believe that this is the best current side if there was a squad comprised of only Championship players.

GK: Carl Rushworth (Coventry City)

Carl Rushworth has been one of the Championship’s most reliable young goalkeepers for some time now, combining sharp reflexes with growing presence and authority in his box. His shot-stopping ability stands out for Coventry City, but it’s his composure in possession that makes him ideal for modern systems. Given James Trafford's rise, it's likely he is in the conversation for England in the near future.

RB: Callum Brittain (Middlesbrough)

Callum Brittain offers energy and consistency from right-back, thriving in both defensive and attacking phases with Middlesbrough. He has been underrated for some time now, dating back to his Blackburn Rovers days. His willingness to overlap and deliver quality into the box adds a valuable dimension, while his relentless work-rate ensures he remains dependable over the course of a long campaign.

CB: Taylor Harwood-Bellis (Southampton) – Captain

A natural leader, Harwood-Bellis combines defensive intelligence with composure on the ball. He has a cap for his country and a goal in the very same game. Given his quality, they are unlikely to be his last. Comfortable stepping out from the back, the Southampton ace sets the tone for his side and organises those around him. His experience and maturity make him a fitting captain in this XI.

CB: Charlie Hughes (Hull City)

The centre-back position is perhaps the one with the sternest competition, but Charlie Hughes is a modern centre-back who reads the game well and distributes effectively from deep — and he is developing all the time. Calm under pressure, he has become a reliable presence quickly at this level. He is highly capable of dealing with physical forwards at such a tender age and the perfect partner to THB.

LB: Leif Davis (Ipswich Town)

Leif Davis has become one of the Championship’s most productive full-backs after dazzling displays in two of the last three campaigns at this level, particularly going forward. His delivery from wide areas is a constant threat for Ipswich Town, and he plays with an attacking intent that often pins opposition teams back. He's perfect for this side despite other excellent English left-backs in the Championship.

CM: Hayden Hackney (Middlesbrough)

Up next is a player who is very likely to be an England international one day, with Hayden Hackney arguably the division's standout performer currently. He continues to impress with his intelligence and quality in build-up phases. Proficient at progressing the ball, he offers balance in midfield and he would be the tempo-setter. His consistency and maturity make him incredibly dependable for Middlesbrough.

DM: Ben Sheaf (Wrexham)

If Hackney is the metronome, some steel is needed in the heartbeat of this side alongside him. Ben Sheaf brings leadership, control, and composure to midfield, acting as a steadying presence in possession. However, it is his bite and positional awareness which allows others to push forward. There are other more technical alternatives on the bench but he would be a key cog in any well-structured side.

RW: Femi Azeez (Millwall)

Femi Azeez provides directness and unpredictability in wide areas akin to a Championship version of Bukayo Saka. His pace and willingness to take on defenders make him a constant outlet, while his end product is steadily improving, turning him into a more well-rounded attacking threat. He's been one of the other standout players in the second tier this term.

AM: Jack Rudoni (Coventry City)

At his very best, Jack Rudoni is an intelligent attacking midfielder who thrives between the lines. His movement and creativity allow him to link play effectively and crash the box to score goals, while his eye for goal from range also adds another layer to his game. He’s capable of influencing matches in tight spaces and would be a match-winner in this team as he often is for Coventry.