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Five Championship Players Representing Their Country This Weekend
Blogs

Five Championship Players Representing Their Country This Weekend

21/03/25 13:54

Five Championship Players Representing Their Country This Weekend

It has come to that time again where we have a two week break from our beloved club football, and now switch our allegiances to our nation. Love it or hate it, international football has arrived once again, and for us England supporters it gives us the chance to see how Thomas Tuchel will set up our team for the first time. Fans may watch on hoping their star man doesn’t get injured on duty, and will be hoping all of their key players come back in one piece.

Championship fans may not be as worried considering not as many will get called up, but there are still lots of EFL talent who will be representing their country on the big stage over these two weeks, some for the first time, and for some they’re even the stars for their nation. Here are five players in the EFL Championship who will be representing their country this weekend.

Junior Firpo- Dominican Republic

First up on this list is Junior Firpo, arguably the best fullback in the league this season. Firpo has been in top form this season. The left back has picked up three goals and nine assists this season and has been key to Leeds’s success this season. The left back originally arrived at Elland Road as a member of the Spain under 21 national team, where he made four appearances.

Now, Firpo has made the switch to the Dominican Republic, where he made his debut In March last year. Since debuting for his new national team, the fullback has been given more freedom, playing higher up the pitch either on the wing or through the middle. The fullback has been a revelation for the Dominican Republic team, as Firpo has picked up three goals and four assists in just ten games. The side sit third in their World Cup Qualifying group, three points behind Guatemala and Jamaica, and with the help of Firpo, they could qualify for the first time in their nations history.

Manuel Benson- Angola

Manuel Benson was a player with so much promise, setting the championship alight under Vincent Kompany just a few years ago. Benson arrived from Belgium and got 13 goals and five assists in his first Championship season. Unfortunately, Benson couldn’t follow up on his success in the Premier League just a year later, picking up ankle injuries that kept him out of the squad and not being able to cement a spot in the first eleven on his return. Now once again in the Championship, Benson has been struggling with an Achilles injury, and has only recently recovered, but still finds himself on the bench regularly for the Clarets.

Benson grew up representing Belgium, but has now recently like Firpo, switched his allegiance to Angola. Making the switch to Angola only recently, Benson debuted for the nation in June 2024, and has only made 3 appearances for the country, and hasn’t yet assisted or scored. Benson has already played in this international break, playing 60 minutes against Libya on Thursday night.

Angola are fourth in their World Cup qualifying group, but within three points of the top spot, so there is lots to play for. If Manuel Benson is able to rediscover his Burnley debut season form, then Angola could have a serious player on their books, which could fire them to the World cup.

Shea Charles- Northern Ireland

Shea Charles has been in some top form for Sheffield Wednesday this season. On loan from Southampton, Charles has been a stalwart in midfield this season under Danny Rohl, making 35 appearances, scoring once and assisting five.

Charles will be representing Northern Ireland this international break, and has been a regular part of the side since he was 18 years old. He has made 23 appearances for the side but still awaits his first goal for his nation. Growing up as part of Manchester City’s youth team, Charles also represented Northern Ireland’s youth sides, but was fast tracked to the first team and has stayed there ever since.

Northern Ireland will face Switzerland and Sweden in friendlies this international break, and Charles will surely appear in his favourable holding midfield position.

What makes it even more surreal for Shea, is that he will be sharing the stage with his brother, Pierce. Pierce Charles is a goalkeeper for Sheffield Wednesday, and the brothers will also be playing with each other for the national team. Pierce has earned praise from manager Michael O’Neill for his on the ball ability, and will hope he can add to the four appearances he already has for his nation.

James Trafford- England

James Trafford has been a brick wall in goal for Burnley this season, and has earned himself a call up for the England men’s team. Trafford has only conceded 11 goals this season, keeping 27 clean sheets for the Clarets. Even with these top performances, for Trafford to get called up to the mens team for England, where they already have top level Premier League goalkeepers, is a top achievement for Trafford.

Trafford is well known for the youth sides at England, where he made 19 appearances for the Under 21 side. Trafford didn’t concede a goal across the whole under 21 Euros, and in the final moments of the final against Spain he came to the rescue as he saved a penalty to secure the Under 21 Euros. He has kept 13 clean sheets across the 19 appearances for the youth team, and could be seen as the future England goalkeeper for many years to come.

With new manager Thomas Tuchel in charge, the German could be keen to experiment with his sides and understand what works well for his side. Could this see Trafford given his first ever appearance for England?

Finn Azaz- Republic Of Ireland

Finn Azaz has been a championship top performer this season. The Irishman made his switch to the Teeside permanent in January last year, joining from Aston Villa for roughly £2million. Azaz had been enjoying his loan spell at Plymouth Argyle, where had seven goals and five assists, before Aston Villa recalled him and sold him permanently to Middlesborough.

Azaz has been once again in top form this season, already scoring ten times this season and assisting 11 for Middlesborough, earning himself another call up for Ireland. Azaz had already played four times for his country ahead this international break. However, Azaz already featured this international break for Ireland, where he scored his first ever goal for his country in his fifth appearance on Thursday night, against Bulgaria.

Republic Of Ireland will play against Bulgaria again on the 23rd March in the Nations League, where Finn will be hoping he can have the exact same impact.

Benji Kosartiyer
Journalist
Jake Pearce

Writer at Football Park

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