Marcelo Bielsa took over the reins at Leeds United in the summer of 2018 (Getty Images)
Newly-relegated sides West Bromwich Albion, Swansea City and Stoke City have joined other Championship clubs to prepare for the season ahead. These include clubs newly-promoted clubs from League One like Wigan Athletic, Rotherham United and Blackburn Rovers. In addition, the sides that missed out on promotion and avoided relegation last term will also be a part of the brand new Championship season.
Unlike the Premier League, the EFL Championship got underway a week before the transfer window closed. Most Championship managers had the chance to assess their squads after the first round matches and decide whether to dip into the market or not.
Many teams should be eyeing a chance to qualify for the promotion playoffs. There has been a flurry of activities, including loan signings of players from Premier League side’s academies. The gruelling league will have a 46-game season, 10 more than the top-flight as it is made up of 24 teams.
To sustain a good run of performances and earn a promotion, clubs need to plan and recruit meticulously. Like any other season, this campaign has also seen a number of high-profile arrivals, both in managerial and playing roles.
Read More: Why this Manchester City starlet could be a difference-maker for Preston North End this season
Here, we take a look at the best Championship transfer XI consisting of the arrivals this summer.
Tim Krul (GK) (Norwich City)
Back-Up: Jamal Blackman (Leeds United), Costel Pantilimon (Nottingham Forest)
Moses Odubajo (RB) (Brentford)
Back-Up: Jack Hunt (Bristol City)
Paddy McNair (CB) (Middlesbrough)
Back-Up: Michael Dawson (Nottingham Forest), Ashley Williams (Stoke City)
Ashley Williams (CB) (Stoke City)
Back-Up: John O’Shea (Reading), Tobias Figueiredo (Nottingham Forest)
Barry Douglas (LB) (Leeds United)
Back-Up: Conor Townsend (West Brom), Kristian Pedersen (Birmingham City)
Jack Colback (CDM) (Nottingham Forest)
Back-Up: Jason Lowe (Bolton Wanderers), George Evans (Derby County)
John McGinn (CM) (Aston Villa)
Back-Up: Yan Dhanda (Swansea City), Ryan Ledson (Preston North End)
Josh Windass (CAM) (Wigan Athletic)
Back-Up: Bersant Celina (Swansea City), Emiliano Buendía (Norwich City), João Carvalho (Nottingham Forest)
Gil Dias (RW) (Nottingham Forest)
Back-Up: Bobby Reid (Cardiff), Tom Ince (Stoke City)
Dwight Gayle (CF) (West Brom)
Back-Up: Patrick Bamford (Leeds United), Martyn Waghorn (Derby County), Jordan Ayew (Swansea City)
James McClean (LW) (Stoke City)
Back-Up: Barrie McKay (Swansea City), Ben Woodburn (Sheffield United)
