Following on from Thomas Tuchel’s recent England squad announcement, we look at what the team would look like if it were entirely made up of EFL players.
It has been a thrilling start to the 2025-26 EFL campaign, with standout performers in every side. In light of this, this highly subjective, hypothetical squad considers performers in their relative divisions, while also following a strict ruling of one player per club to shed light on the Football League as a whole.
… it was quite a headache; take our honorable mentions as a series of apologies.
So to reiterate, the rules for our selections were:
- One player per club
- 4-3-3 line-up
- Represent all three EFL divisions
Without further ado, let’s explore our picks for a hypothetical England squad made up entirely of players from the Championship, League One, and League Two.
Goalkeeper
- Solomon Brynn (Middlesbrough)
- Owen Goodman (Huddersfield Town)
- Matthew Young (Salford City)
Boasting the best defensive record in the Championship, while sitting top of the division are Middlesbrough, to the surprise of many. Behind their four clean sheets – the most in the division – is Solomon Brynn. The former Leyton Orient man was limited for gametime last season, but has taken well to first-team demands.
Rob Edwards’ side have only conceded five goals this season, while the 24-year-old has already matched his appearances from the 2024-25 season. His recent performance against high-flying Stoke City has earned plaudits, with many at the Riverside excited for the keeper’s potential.
Meanwhile, Owen Goodman has enjoyed a fantastic year. Winning promotion with AFC Wimbledon, he stood at the heart of the defensive solidarity which saw the Wombles lift promotion at Wembley.
Now, promotion to the Championship is on the 21-year-old’s mind. Now, wearing the Huddersfield blue and white, the 21-year-old has kept four clean sheets in six League One appearances this season.
Salford City have enjoyed a fantastic start to the campaign, and have welcomed back Matthew Young on loan from Sunderland. The young shot stopper was fundamental to the Ammies’ late play-off challenge last season, and could prove pivotal to any success in Greater Manchester this time out.
In terms of a first XI pick, both Solomon Brynn’s record and rise at Middlesbrough this season are hard to look past.
Fullbacks
- Josh Tymon (Swansea City)
- Adam Reach (Lincoln City)
- Connor Barrett (Walsall)
- Josh Neufville (Bradford City)
Walsall are back to their best this season. Low-possession, fast, direct, and effective in approach, the Saddlers sit top of the table at the time of writing. Pivotal to Sadler’s style is Connor Barrett, who is now in his second season at the Bescot.
A high-flying wing-back, he is amongst the best performers in the Walsall squad. With nine assists last season and two goals to his name this season, his game is continuously developing. One way or another, the right-wing-back will feature in the division above next season.
Meanwhile, Adam Reach is a cultured figure in the EFL. He “still has it,” as was proven by a forty-yard free kick against Peterborough United last weekend. At 32, he offers an experienced option to a prospective national team, with the quality to match.
Josh Neufville is an explosive option on the right and has been one of Bradford City’s most astute additions. The Bantams have defied every expectation of a newly promoted side thus far, and undoubtedly faced great competition for their right-back’s signature.
Swansea’s Josh Tymon has continued his performances this season. Establishing himself as one of the most consistent, forward-thinking full-backs in the Championship during his tenures at the Swans and Stoke. The 26-year-old is now in the peak years of his career and could be pivotal to any success in South Wales this season.
As for the first XI, Josh Neufville and Adam Reach make our EFL England team.
Central Defenders
- Ethan Pye (Stockport County)
- Sam Gale (Gillingham)
- Rob Dickie (Bristol City)
- William Fish (Cardiff City)
Having chosen a pair of high-flying full-backs, assurance in possession and solidity in front of Brynn is a necessity.
Ethan Pye embodies every success David Challinor has had with Stockport. Only 22, the defender is both a rock at the back and assured in possession, capable of progressing the ball further up the field. The same goes for Sam Gale, whose breakout under Ainsworth has been vital to their recent unbeaten run.
Meanwhile, Rob Dickie has always been an assured defender in the Championship. Strong in the tackle and capable of last-ditch heroics, Robins fans will feel confident of another play-off charge with the 29-year-old at the back.
Additionally, William Fish is one of the hottest talents in the EFL, under one of the most progressive managers in England. Cardiff City boast the best defensive record in League One under Brian Barry-Murphy, while their progressive, possession-based identity is fantastic on the eye. The former Manchester United defender is truly coming into his own and can be expected to fly up the divisions in the coming years.
Now, for the first eleven, Dickie and Fish seem complementary of one another.
Central Midfielders
- George McEachran (Grimsby Town)
- Tom Conlon (Oldham Athletic)
- Matt Grimes (Coventry City)
- Tommy Doyle (Birmingham City)
- Owen Bailey (Doncaster Rovers
- Harvey White (Stevenage)
Comfortably, the most divisive of our squad picks.
George McEachran spent seventy minutes outplaying Kobbie Mainoo in August, which one makes the England squad for you? Otherwise, he embodies every aspect of Grimsby Town’s identity under David Artell. Comfortable in the interception and capable of keeping the ball moving in a pressing, possession-based Mariners side.
Oldham have enjoyed a fantastic month. Tipped to struggle by many, performances have picked up greatly in September. Several cases could have been made for Oldham Athletic, but Tom Conlon cuts as a top performer for both his club and division.
The 29-year-old has performed well in the division for Port Vale and has been a mainstay in Mickey Mellon’s eleven since his move in January 2024.
An all-action midfielder wearing the captain’s armband is a necessity. Matt Grimes has been integral for any manager he has played under, for practically his entire career. He forms a fantastic pivot with Victor Torp and currently sits at the top of the division. Championship fans know him, Sky Blues fans adore him.
Possibly one of the most notable arrivals in the Championship this summer, Tommy Doyle made the move to Birmingham City. Having been promoted from the division with Sheffield United two years ago, it is clear to see that he is a product of Manchester City’s youth academy; he could be pivotal to any success the Blues have this season.
Owen Bailey has it all. Five goals to his name this season, while he is a vital engine to Grant McCann’s midfield. Up there with the best performers in League One this season, he is constantly adding new dimensions to his game. The same stands for Harvey White, who is proving again to be one of the division’s finest midfielders amid Stevenage’s shock start to the season.
Matt Grimes picks himself as our England captain, while Doyle and Bailey’s attributes form a fantastic midfield trio.
Wingers
- Jaden Philogene-Bidace (Ipswich Town)
- Tom Fellows (Southampton)
- Amario Cozier-Duberry (Bolton Wanderers)
- Omari Patrick (Tranmere Rovers)
- Liam Mandeville (Chesterfield)
Most reading this will have seen Philogene-Bidace’s goal for Hull City against Rotherham United; well, he’s also quite an alright footballer on top of that.
His move to Aston Villa appeared to be a step too far; however, Ipswich Town seems to be a good home for the winger. Four goals to his name already, he has proven to be one of Kieran McKenna’s most reliable options in quite a big squad. With quality that possibly exceeds EFL level, he makes our squad.
On the topic of reliability, Tom Fellows is among the best widemen in the division. Numerous assists to his name during his time with West Bromwich Albion, many were surprised to see the 22-year-old remain in the second tier.
Omari Patrick has been a bright spark throughout a relatively dismal period for Tranmere Rovers. His 13 goals and six assists were vital in securing the club’s EFL status last season, and he has continued where he left off this season. With eight goal contributions to his name this season, his ability to play in numerous positions across the frontline poses great value to this prospective squad.
Is it a full-back? Is it a midfielder? No, it’s Liam Mandeville!
On the topic of versatility, every squad needs a utility man, and they rarely come better than Mandeville. Despite Chesterfield making exponential progress season after season, he has maintained a vital role in their squad.
This season, his one goal and five assists have yet again made him undroppable for the Derbyshire outfit.
Spearheading Bolton’s prospects this season is Brighton loan star Amario Cozier-Duberry. After showing glimpses last season with Blackburn Rovers, a step down to League One has been a platform for the wideman to show his true talents.
For the first XI, Jaden Philogene and Cozier-Duberry occupy our wide positions.
Strikers
- Davis Keillor-Dunn (Barnsley)
- Michael Cheek (Bromley)
- Carlton Morris (Derby County)
Now for the business end of the field.
It would be rude not to give Michael Cheek a place in the squad. While perhaps difficult on the eye, his goal return for Bromley is hard to argue against; he is pivotal for Andy Woodman.
Davis Keillor-Dunn has been a fantastic performer for Barnsley and Mansfield, and is capable of dropping deeper into the advanced midfield positions. He has started where he left off this campaign, with five goals to his name already.
Meanwhile, Carlton Morris is one of the brightest sparks for Derby County. Additionally, his spells at Luton Town and Barnsley establish him as one of the most potent strikers in the division.
As a focal point in attack, Michael Cheek makes our first XI.
Hypothetical England EFL XI:
- GK – Solomon Brynn (Middlesbrough)
- LB – Adam Reach (Lincoln City)
- CB – Rob Dickie (Bristol City)
- CB – William Fish (Cardiff City)
- RB – Josh Neufville (Bradford City)
- CDM – Tommy Doyle (Birmingham City)
- CM – Matt Grimes (Coventry City)
- CM – Owen Bailey (Doncaster Rovers)
- RW – Amario Cozier-Duberry (Bolton Wanderers)
- ST – Michael Cheek (Bromley)
- LW – Jaden Philogene-Bidace (Ipswich Town)
(4-3-3)
Honorable Mentions
- Bobby Pointon (Bradford City)
- Charles Vernam (Grimsby Town)
- Harrison Burke (Walsall)
- Mathew Hudson (Oldham Athletic)EF
- Leif Davis (Ipswich Town)
- Carl Rushworth (Coventry City)
- Jack Rudoni (Coventry City)
- Luke Ayling (Middlesbrough)
- Mason Burstow (Bolton Wanderers)
- Ryan Giles (Hull City)
- Harry Winks (Leicester City)
- Lewis O’Brien (Wrexham)
- Josh Windass (Wrexham)
- Hayden Hackney (Middlesbrough)
