Championship Team of the Season 22/23

Another Championship season has come to a close with that we can look back on the the league's best performers in what has been another competitive campaign. The league proves year in year out that such a wide range of talent exists below the Premier League, and this is my effort at making a somewhat unbiased eleven of the very best the Championship has had to offer.

Goalkeeper - Viktor Johansson

Rotherham United's number one is the first inclusion to the team of the season. The Swede has been simply phenomenal and his efforts might just have gone a long way towards keeping the Millers in the Championship. Not only does Johansson top the charts for total saves made, he also leads in goals prevented, and has the second highest save percentage in the league. On top of this, his performances have earned him a first call up to the Sweden National Team. Its hard to see him staying at Rotherham regardless of their status next season, but the 24-year-old will without doubt earn the South Yorkshire outfit a hefty sum.

Left-back - Ryan Giles

Left-back was a very competitive position this season, with the likes of Ian Maatsen for Burnley, Alvaro Fernandez for Preston and Alfie Doughty for Luton all unlucky to miss out. However, it would simply be criminal for Ryan Giles, on loan from Wolves, to be absent from this team. The 23-year-old has excelled at left-wing-back for Middlesbrough, particularly since Michael Carrick's arrival. Giles tops the assist chart for the entire league with eleven, and is the only player in double figures. He has featured in every single one of Boro's games this season which goes to show just how dependable he is. The English wing-back has become known at this level for his incredible left foot and its definitely time for him to get a chance in the top tier - will it be with Middlesbrough, Wolves or someone else?

Centre-back - Jordan Beyer

The first inclusion for the champions Burnley, Jordan Beyer has been absolutely pivotal for Vincent Kompany's side this season. The German has excelled as a ball-playing centre-back on loan from Borussia Monchengladbach. Burnley have an option to buy the 22-year-old for €15 million, which looks to be an absolute bargain as he fits the Clarets like a glove.

Centre-back - Tom Lockyer

It was another very competitive position, but Luton's Lockyer is more than worthy of a place at the back despite the performances of Sheffield United's Anel Ahmedhodzic and Burnley's Taylor Harwood-Bellis. The Welshman was absolutely pivotal in Luton Town's promotion season at both ends of the pitch, and his play-off goal against Sunderland was a symbol of that.

Right-back - Connor Roberts

Burnley dominated the Championship, so its only right that they dominate the team of the season similarly. The former Swansea City man contributed towards ten goals for the Clarets and offered consistently steady performances. His relentless ability to run and run would make him such an asset for any team, and through his 43 appearances he's earned his chance to give the Premier League another go.

Central Midfield - Oliver Norwood

The first inclusion for promoted Sheffield United, Northern Ireland-international Norwood brought composure and technique to the Blades' midfield. While midfield was arguably the strongest position of the Championship over the course of the season, it isn't really a surprise that the 32-year-old, who looked more than comfortable in the Premier League, has kept to his own high standards. It looked like Norwood would leave the club on the expiry of his contract before the club exercised the option to extend his deal, and rightly so, as the veteran will be a key player in their push for survival.

Central Midfield - Josh Cullen

Josh Cullen is a player who hasn't got anywhere near the level of recognition he deserves. His midfield partner Josh Brownhill received all the plaudits, while Cullen was silently the best player on the pitch nearly every game. His previous partnership with Vincent Kompany at Anderlecht prompted the Belgian to bring him to Turf Moor, and its a move that has paid off, and then some. He's the key cog to the well-oiled machine that imposed its football on every team with such ease. Similarly to Norwood, Ireland-international Cullen dictates play, picking the ball up off the back four and progressing it to great effect. Definitely a player worth keeping an eye on next season at a higher level.

Attacking Midfield - Joao Pedro

A season to forget for Watford. But where would they have ended up without the efforts of Joao Pedro? His 13 goals and four assists might not look like much, but the youngster brings so much more to the pitch than that. He's everything you'd expect from a Brazilian, with the flair and technique to get fans off their seats, but he's also so much more: a hard working, tenacious player who has so often relieved pressure from his team. Brighton have broken their transfer record to bring Pedro to the Amex, and its not hard to see why, as he has already shown he's a very capable Premier League player who is developing at an alarming rate.

Left-wing - Viktor Gyokeres

Quite possibly the easiest inclusion to this list. Gyokeres has been improving year on year and it was inevitable he'd explode at some point. He scored 21 goals and added ten assists to drive Coventry City to the brink of the Premier League. His pace and power make him such a threat and a reliable out-ball for Coventry. Adding his hold-up play, ball-striking ability and willingness to take on defenders, the Sweden international has shown just how complete he is this season. It would be a miracle if he stays in the Championship following Coventry's play-off final defeat, as clubs like Everton, Wolves, Brentford and more have already been sniffing around. I have no doubt he'll thrive wherever he goes.

Striker - Chuba Akpom

It's remarkable what's happened to Chuba Akpom. The former Arsenal youngster has flattered to deceive since arriving at Teesside, but made goalscoring look easy since Michael Carrick moved him to a deeper role. He ran away with the golden boot, scoring 28 in a free-scoring Boro side. The Summer ahead will be an interesting one, as Middlesbrough could fend off any Premier League interest to keep Akpom in the hope that he may continue in this manner next season.

Right-wing - Nathan Tella

It feels appropriate to round off this list with a Burnley player. Tella spent the season on loan in Lancashire from Premier League Southampton. He netted 17 times in 39 outings, a great return for a wide player. His pacy runs in behind defences made him fit Kompany's system like a glove. Tella previously struggled to nail down a starting spot with his parent club, so the loan move has proven a masterstroke for all parties. Upon their relegation Southampton will be keen to keep their now-proven forward, while Burnley will also be eager to retain his services. Watch this space.