The biggest names in the Championship have all received a lot of credit this season, but some players have performed incredibly well in tough conditions while others simply haven't received the recognition they deserve.
Alex Jones picks his alternative Team of the Season, using no more than one player per club.
Goalkeeper: Viktor Johansson (Rotherham United)
Starting off with a relegated goalkeeper, I’ve picked out Rotherham United’s Viktor Johansson, who’s been nothing short of remarkable this season.
It’s easy to look at the goals he’s conceded (86) and the clean sheets he’s kept (4), but he also ranks top for saves per 90 (4.1) and fifth for goals prevented (3.2).
The Swedish shot-stopper been playing in front of one of the worst Championship back lines in recent years, and without him, Rotherham’s defensive record would’ve been much, much worse. He deserves immense credit and now looks set for a move to Stoke City.
Right-back: Ryan Leonard (Millwall)
Ryan Leonard has had a pretty torrid time in recent years, suffering numerous serious injuries that have limited his time on the pitch. It led to many Millwall fans believing that his time in South Bermondsey was coming to an end, but he’s shown otherwise.
He’s managed to stay fit and play 35 league games this season, proving that he’s arguably the best player in the Lions’ squad when he isn’t on the sidelines. His versatility to move between right-back, centre-back and midfield has helped them, as has his Championship experience.
He comfortably won Millwall’s Player of the Year vote, playing a big part in the team that won five games in a row at the end of the season, conceding just once in that time.
Centre-back: Michal Helik (Huddersfield Town)
It’s rare for a centre-back to star for a relegated team, but even rarer for one to finish as their top scorer.
But Michal Helik did exactly that, ending the campaign with nine league goals, two more than anyone else in the Terriers’ squad. His threat from set pieces is clear for all to see.
There’s no denying that, if he was in a better defensive team, he would’ve received the credit he deserves. It’s unlikely that he’ll be sticking around for League One football at the John Smith’s Stadium next season.
Centre-back: Cameron Burgess (Ipswich Town)
Town’s unsung hero of the season, Cameron Burgess has been Mr. Consistent. Considering that he was signed from Accrington Stanley after spells at various lower-league clubs, as well as the fact that he’s stepped up to the Championship alongside same defensive line that Ipswich had in League One - it all feels really impressive.
He has the physicality and aerial presence that you need against more direct teams, but he’s also become incredibly comfortable on the ball. He offers a bit of everything, and has done really well in a strong attacking team that’s prone to leaving their defenders exposed.
On top of that, he’s balanced his first season back in the second tier with representing Australia throughout the campaign, always returning to Suffolk in fine form and putting in top-quality performances.
Left-back: Kenneth Paal (QPR)
Kenneth Paal missed two league games for QPR - a 1-0 win against Swansea City and a 3-0 defeat at Hull City. He’s been almost ever-present in their team, performing at a high level despite all the ongoings at Loftus Road.
The opening weeks of the campaign under Gareth Ainsworth were nothing short of disastrous, but the R’s showed a huge improvement under Marti Cifuentes, ending the season comfortably above the relegation zone.
Paal certainly contributed heavily, chipping in with four goals and an assist while helping QPR turn into one of the stronger defensive units in the Championship.
Centre-mid: Matt Grimes (Swansea City)
The term ‘Rolls Royce player’ is thrown around a lot in football, but Matt Grimes truly encapsulates it. His work on the ball is so smooth, registering four goals and five assists from a deep-lying midfield role.
It’s even more impressive when you consider that Swansea really struggled this season, and that on top of being slick with the ball at his feet, he also gets stuck in out of possession too.
He’s been Swansea’s star man for quite a while now, and it feels like a matter of time until a top-end club brings him in.
Centre-mid: Flynn Downes (Southampton)
A familiar name for Town fans, Flynn Downes has probably gone under the radar a little bit at Southampton. In team full of top-quality attackers, he’s had to work hard in the defensive third, which means he perhaps hasn’t received much credit outside of St. Mary’s.
It’s easy to forget that he hasn’t played regular football in a while, ending up with a bit-part role at West Ham last season. He’s started 31 league games this campaign, and when he hasn’t been in the team, Southampton have usually dropped points.
Without him, they wouldn’t have been anywhere near the automatic promotion picture. Two goals and two assists on top of that isn’t a bad return either.
Right wing: Yaser Asprilla (Watford)
Arriving from Colombian club Envigado in January 2022, Yaser Asprilla used last season to adapt to English football. This season, however, he’s shown what he’s capable of.
In a struggling team, he’s been the lively attacking threat, albeit occasionally limited by Valerien Ismael around the festive period. When he did start, he was a real threat the in the final third, ending the campaign with six goals and seven assists in 44 appearances.
What stands out is his drive and determination. He’s trigger happy when it comes to shots and posts impressive attacking numbers, scoring excellent goals against Norwich City and Rotherham. The Hornets have no intention of selling him, but FC Barcelona have been linked.
Attacking midfield: Finn Azaz (Middlesbrough)
Finn Azaz was crucial in Plymouth Argyle’s promotion from League One, and he carried that form into the Championship, standing out as one of the Pilgrims’ key men up until his January move to Middlesbrough.
It didn’t take him long to adapt to life on Teesside, albeit that Michael Carrick’s men ultimately missed out on the top six. It’s no coincidence that Plymouth’s form nosedived after his departure.
10 goals and 11 assists this season is a strong return, and his versatility to play in any of the attacking roles behind the striker has also been key for both his sides.
Left wing: Grady Diangana (West Brom)
Grady Diangana has gone about his business quite quietly, but with Jed Wallace not hitting the same heights at the Hawthorns, he’s filled the void in the attacking third.
The versatile forward bagged seven goals and eight assists in 36 league games. If he wasn’t involved in DR Congo’s AFCON campaign, where they went deep into the tournament, who knows what his return would be?
To do it in this West Brom team, who clearly prioritise defence over attack, is pretty good.
Striker: Jay Stansfield (Birmingham City)
On loan from Fulham, Jay Stansfield’s performances for Birmingham City saw him linked with a January move to Ipswich. He saw out the season at St. Andrew’s, however, and despite their relegation, it was probably the right move.
He made the step up from League One, where he helped Exeter City secure a mid-table finish, and has shown that he’s capable of doing in the Championship too. Despite working under six different managers this season, he’s ended up with 12 goals and two assists in 43 games.
He certainly wasn’t at fault for Birmingham’s poor season.
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