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Many football fans love seeing the best players play at the biggest stage in the world. However, this is not always the case. The English Football League (EFL), which is a lower division of the English top-flight football, plays host to some players that are deemed as world-class to many. In this post, we look at some EFL players that seem better than the EFL.

1. Ryan Shawcross

Capped by England once, Ryan Shawcross is a world-class defender who has had a bit of an unfortunate career. A former Manchester United youth player, the defender, plays for Stoke City in the EFL. He remained with the team even after its relegation from the EPL. While Shawcross is a skilled defender, he seems too big a figure for the struggling Stoke City. The defender would suit any Premier League team in need of a passionate and dedicated defender.

2. Wayne Rooney

Wayne Rooney’s presence in the EFL Championship was always bound to seem awkward. The English Lion’s top scorer who plays for Derby County as player-coach always seems too skilled to be playing for Derby County. However, Rooney’s exit from Manchester United was controversial and may have contributed to his failure to continue playing at the top level. He is, however, in line to be a manager at Derby if all goes to plan.

3. Aleksandar Mitrovic

The Serbian striker is currently the top scorer in the EFL. While he was not able to save his team from relegation when they played a single season in the EPL in 2019/2019, Mitrovic remains a top player. His goal-scoring prowess makes him a fit for the premier league and any other top league in the world. However, he remains a favourite of many Fulham fans, and he continues to impress with his goal-scoring form.

The English Football League (EFL) offers many top players a chance to make the break into managerial work or coaching. In recent times, many young coaches have come up because of chairpersons of EFL teams, giving them a chance. In this post, we look at some of the most famous player-coaches to rise from the EFL in recent times.

1. John Terry – Aston Villa

A former world-class defender when playing with Chelsea and England, John Terry made the shocking decision to end his career at Aston Villa. Many thought the Chelsea legend would retire at Stamford Bridge, but that was never the case. John Terry now serves as a coach under Dean Smith. This promotion came after a season as a player, another as a player-coach, and now as a coach. He helped the team to EPL promotion last season.

2. Scott Parker – Fulham

A former household name when you think of naming top English midfielders. Scott Parker ended his career at Fulham after playing for several teams in the English top-flight, including Chelsea. As his career drew to an end, Scott served as a player-coach under Claudio Ranieri. Later, when Ranieri lost the job as Fulham manager, Scott became the caretaker manager. He is currently Fulham’s manager.

3. Wayne Rooney – Derby County

You hear the name Wayne Rooney, and automatically Manchester United comes to mind. The reason for this is that the player won five EPL titles and a Champions League medal with the team. He is also the club’s all-time top scorer as well as England’s international top scorer. Wayne Rooney now serves as a player-coach for Derby County that plays in the EFL. Many are waiting to see if Wayne will replicate his prowess as a player when he finally moves into management in the near future.

Ardent football fans live for the day derby matches are played. In most instances, derbies have the highest attendances of any league matches. In the English Football League (EFL), several participating teams come from the same area, and this makes their games worth watching. The following is a list of some of the fiercest derbies in the EFL.

West London Derby

London is the epicentre of football in England. The same applies to the EFL Championship as well. One of the fiercest derbies in the EFL pits Fulham and Queens Park Rangers playing against each other in the West London Derby. This derby attracts large crowds and, for the most part, many goals as well. With both teams going through tumultuous times in the recent past, the derby has allowed their fans to have something to cheer about.

West Yorkshire Derby

The West Yorkshire derby is another popular derby against two teams in the EFL championship. This derby sees Huddersfield square it off against Leeds United FC. While the derby might have lost its spark, it still counts as one of the most crucial league games for either team.

Many crucial admin decisions affecting both teams were made after this derby. For most managers managing either team, the focus is on winning this derby to ensure job security. And for football fans fierce derbies to live for.

Blackburn-Preston Rivalry

Blackburn and Preston bring the heat whenever they play each other in the EFL championship. These two teams square it off in a local derby for Lancashire teams. While Blackburn has had more bragging rights in the past, the dynamic is changing, and in recent times, Preston has become the team to watch. This upset in power balance makes the derby a real pleasure to watch and ranks it top of the fiercest derbies in the EFL championship.