The new Championship season is just under five weeks away. The 2022-23 campaign begins slightly earlier than normal, due to the World Cup in Qatar taking place in winter this year.
That means an unusual start date for the second tier, with last season's play-off finalists Huddersfield Town hosting relegated Burnley in the curtain-raiser on Friday, July 29.
That early return to action has pushed plenty of clubs into the transfer market already, and a handful have made signings albeit the vast majority are frees and loans. Expect that to change rapidly over the next few weeks as clubs begin to loosen the purse strings once more as their finances become healthier following the devastating impact of Covid-19 over the past few years.
Sunday saw Burnley, under the tutelage of new boss Vincent Kompany, make their first signing since relegation with the high-profile addition of Scott Twine. The midfielder contributed to 33 goals for MK Dons last season, and scooped the League One Player of the Season gong.
But what about the players that make up the most valuable team? We consulted the number-crunchers at respected industry website Transfermarkt and put together an XI of current Championship players based on the highest value for their relevant positions.
The end result is a team boasting a combined market value of more than £137million. And although it is highly likely a few on this list will be sold off before the window shuts, for the time being they are classed as Championship players.
In goal, Angus Gunn is currently ranked as the second tier's most expensive stopper, at £2.7m. Both Nick Pope and Sam Johnstone were rated at higher prices, but have moved back up to the Premier League this summer. Norwich man Gunn only featured nine times in the Premier League last term and it remains to be seen if he will usurp regular number one Tim Krul next season.
In defence, one player's value stands out head and shoulders above the othersw. Max Aarons, also of Norwich, is ranked at a whopping £19.8m and has been linked with a summer move to Brentford.
For now though, he takes his place in our select XI alongside another classy full-back in Djed Spence. Middlesbrough's Spence saw his profile go through the roof last term as he starred for Nottingham Forest on loan, helping them win promotion.
He's believed to be on the verge of a move to Tottenham but whoever ends up signing him it will likely be for a lot more than his valuation of £7.2m. Also ranked at the same price is Swansea's centre-half Ben Cabango, whilst Burnley's Nathan Collins (£9m) also makes the cut.
In midfield, Sheffield United's Sander Berge has a value of £14.4m and speculation continues to gather over his future. Sitting alongside him in our engine room is West Brom's Alex Mowatt, whose valuation of £9m is not bad considering the Baggies snapped him up on a free last summer.
In attack, we chose three players to sit behind one striker. In the trio is the Championship player with the highest market value at present: Watford's Ismaila Sarr who is ranked at being worth £24.3m. Whether he is around for Watford's opener against Sheffield United on August 1 remains to be seen, with West Ham United said to be heavily interested in getting a deal done.
Alongside him in the attack is Burnley pair Maxwell Cornet (£13.5m) and Dwight McNeil (£16.2m). Again, they are both heavily linked to depart Turf Moor this summer. Finally, up front is Blackburn's Ben Brereton Diaz who has the highest value of any second tier striker at £14.4m thanks to his 22 league goals last season.
Championship most valuable XI
Angus Gunn - £2.7m
Djed Spence - £7.2m
Ben Cabango - £7.2m
Nathan Collins - £9m
Max Aarons - £19.8m
Sander Berge - £14.4m
Alex Mowatt - £9m
Maxwell Cornet - £13.5m
Ismaila Sarr - £24.3m
Dwight McNeil - £16.2m
Ben Brereton Diaz - £14.4m
* Figures courtesy of transfermarkt.com.
