The Premier League may be the biggest league in the world, but the Championship and EFL are arguably the most entertaining.
It’s been one hell of a season with Bournemouth and Fulham guaranteed promotion plus either one of Nottingham Forest and Huddersfield set to join them.
We’ve seen records smashed, teams transform and millions spent, but today, we’re going to look at the XI of the best loan signings in the Football League this season.
GK – Gavin Bazunu – Portsmouth and Manchester City
Republic of Ireland international Gavin Bazunu shot to fame last year after making an incredible save from a Cristiano Ronaldo penalty, but it’s his performances for Portsmouth that should have caught the eye.
A great shot-stopper who is equally as adept with his feet, it’s no surprise to hear that Bazunu has attracted European interest after this campaign.
RB: Djed Spence – Nottingham Forest and Middlesbrough
Nominated for the Championship Young Player of the Year award, Djed Spence has been a revelation this season for Nottingham Forest.
A non-stop full-back who is brilliant at both ends of the pitch, Spence’s performances for Forest have attracted interest from the likes of Bayern Munich, Tottenham and Arsenal.
CB: Nat Phillips – Bournemouth and Liverpool
Last season, Nat Phillips played a huge part in helping Liverpool reach the Champions League, but now, he’s playing in the Championship.
Phillips joined Bournemouth in January, and since then, he’s been a mainstay in their starting XI. Phillips has been one of their key performers in recent months as they secured a return to the top flight.
CB: Levi Colwill – Huddersfield and Chelsea
Huddersfield Town may or may not be playing Premier League football next season, but one thing is for sure, Levi Colwill will be playing in the top-flight.
The centre-half has been imperious for the Terriers this term, and he’s already being looked at by a number of Premier League sides ahead of next season.
The future is very bright for this young man.
LB: Max Lowe – Nottingham Forest and Sheffield United
Another Nottingham Forest full-back in this team, Max Lowe is currently sidelined with injury, but that shouldn’t take the shine off what has been a remarkable campaign.
If Nottingham Forest are to be promoted, one would expect the East Midlands outfit to try to bring Lowe in on a permanent deal.
CM: James Garner – Nottingham Forest and Manchester United
We promise this team is made up of more than just Nottingham Forest players.
Yes, Garner is the third Forest representative in this side, but he’s impossible to ignore in this XI.
Garner has played a key part in the Tricky Trees’ promotion push, and there are already whispers that he’s set for a more prominent role at Old Trafford next season.
CM: Finn Azaz – Aston Villa and Newport County
The only League Two player in this side, Finn Azaz has been excellent for Newport this term.
The midfielder walked into the Team of the Year, and at the age of just 20, he still has so much room to grow.
Aston Villa have a number of young gems on their hands, but Azaz is certainly one to watch.
AM: Morgan Gibbs-White – Sheffield United and Wolves
Sheffield United have had an up and down season this time around, but one constant has been the class of Morgan Gibbs-White.
The Englishman has flourished for the Blades, whether he’s played along the front three or as a number 10, and we’re certain he has a future as a Premier League player off the back of this breakout campaign.
Wolves could do a lot worse than giving Gibbs-White a chance next term.
RW: Harry Wilson – Fulham and Liverpool
Harry Wilson seemed to join Fulham permanently in the summer, but a recent FA document revealed that it was only an initial loan.
Wilson has been excellent for Fulham this term. He’s hit double figures for both goals and assists, and he’s another to have made his division’s Team of the Year.
Wilson will be playing Premier League football next term with the Cottagers.
ST – Benik Afobe – Millwall and Stoke
Interestingly there haven’t been too many top strikers loaned in the EFL this season.
Benik Afobe’s 11 Championship goals thus far make him the best of the bunch, and with Millwall still pushing for a top-six finish, Afobe could still have a memorable finish to this campaign.
LW: Philip Zinckernagel – Nottingham Forest and Watford
Philip Zinckernagel is perhaps more comfortable on the right, but it was, once again, impossible to leave him out of this team.
Nottingham Forest’s best player for the first-half of this season, Zinckernagel has six goals and seven assists to his name already, and with three games to go, he could yet have a massive say in whether or not Forest are promoted come the end of the season.
Watford may well want to build their team around this talented winger once their relegation is confirmed.
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