West Brom, Watford, Middlesbrough sextet in Championship team of the season so far
Shock table-toppers West Brom have two players in the Championship team of the season so far, but eight clubs are represented in the best XI…
This is based on WhoScored’s player rating system, so cut us some slack, yeah? The same goes for our Premier League team of the season.
As for the non-Football League snobs, here’s the 2024/25 best Championship XI so far…
GK: Conor Hazard (Plymouth Argyle)
It was reported that Wayne Rooney was looking for a way out of Plymouth Argyle earlier this month, but he may be more happy to stick around after their shock win over Sunderland. Hazard has been one of very few Pilgrims players who can hold their head high as he’s been kept very busy.
RB: Milan van Ewijk (Coventry City)
Coventry’s poor start to the campaign has made me look foolish after I backed them to earn automatic promotion as part of my pre-season predictions. Most of Mark Robins’ players are yet to get going, but Van Ewijk has shone and has helped out with two goal contributions.
CB: Matt Clarke (Middlesbrough)
Michael Carrick’s Boro have gone somewhat under the radar as a potential promotion contender as they lurk outside the play-off places, but several of their players are scoring well in the Championship statistical metrics and Clarke has the most clearances in the league. Sexy.
READ: Sunderland to get promoted? Five reasons why the Championship dark horses could be the real deal
CB: Mattie Pollock (Watford)
Under novice boss Tom Cleverley, Watford have been one of the surprise packages in the Premier League this term and their 1-1 draw against Coventry on Saturday was a decent response to their first defeat of the season against Sheffield United before the international break. This looks set to be a breakout season for Pollock as the impressive 22-year-old has played all five of his side’s matches this campaign.
LB: Dennis Cirkin (Sunderland)
Sunderland were faultless before the international break. While their surprising 3-2 loss at Plymouth will dampen the optimism at the Stadium of Light, the second-placed Black Cats are ahead of schedule and are building something special. Cirkin is a key part of a defence that was incredibly resolute before their 3-2 away loss at the weekend.
CM: Ollie Arblaster (Sheffield United)
The 20-year-old’s breakthrough last season was arguably the only positive to come from Sheffield United’s year back in the Premier League and he’s living up to the hype this campaign. As things stand, the Blades will do well to keep their academy product in January with Brighton already sniffing around him.
CM: Alex Mowatt (West Brom)
A graduate of Leeds United’s academy, Mowatt is one of many players who head coach Carlos Corberan is getting the best out of. The midfielder netted a brace in West Brom’s 3-0 win over Portsmouth on Sunday which moved them to the top of the Championship.
READ: Championship: Six 2024/25 early-season surprises includes lurking Leeds United, perfect Sunderland
RW: Karamoko Dembele (QPR)
Joined from parent club Brest in the summer, Dembele has emerged as an early-season contender for loan signing of the season in the Championship as QPR’s rise under Marti Cifuentes continues after their great escape last term.
CAM: Finn Azaz (Middlesbrough)
Boro broke Plymouth’s hearts when they snatched loanee Azaz last January and the versatile attacker is ranked highly in two of this season’s key statistical metrics.
LW: Giorgi Chakvetadze (Watford)
The Georgia international has sparkled as Watford have surpassed expectations at the start of this season and he’ll be sorely missed while he’s out with a back injury.
ST: Josh Maja (West Brom)
In-form West Brom attacker Maja moved clear as the sole top scorer in the Championship over the weekend as he grabbed his fifth goal of the season against Portsmouth. This has come out of nowhere and it’s further evidence that head coach Carlos Corberan is bloody brilliant at his job.
