Top 10 EFL Championship Defenders In Football History (Ranked)
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Top 10 EFL Championship Defenders In Football History (Ranked)

Top 10 EFL Championship Defenders In Football History (Ranked)

The EFL Championship has earned a fierce reputation as one of the most physically demanding leagues in world football. In a division where stamina is tested to the max, and where outlandish tackles fly, only the toughest survive. Therefore, it's no surprise that it has forged some of the game's most rugged, no-nonsense defenders, players who built their names on fearless commitment and a refusal to be beaten.

Some used the Championship as a launchpad, rising from its trenches to earn international caps, lift Premier League silverware, and carve out illustrious careers at the highest level. Others found their perfect stage within the Championship, reaching the height of their powers amid the hustle, heart, and chaos that define the league.

Today we're counting down the top 10 defenders in EFL Championship history, the enforcers, leaders, and warriors who left an unforgettable mark on one of football's toughest stages.

Let's dive in.

Who Are The Greatest Defenders In EFL Championship History?

10. Bruno Saltor

Spanish right-back Bruno Saltor played for Brighton from 2012 to 2019. During this time, he spent five seasons in the Championship.

After featuring in the 2015/16 team of the season, in which Brighton fell desperately short of promotion, he followed suit the season after, making the team of the season again, this time with the Seagulls reaching the hallowed turf of the Premier League.

With two Team of the Season appearances and a promotion under his belt, Bruno has etched his name into Brighton and EFL Championship folklore. A traditional right-back, Bruno spearheaded the Seagulls' backline with experience and a calm like no other.

Retiring as a club legend for Brighton back in 2019, Bruno took a few years off before returning to the game in the dugout. Most famously, he was Graham Potter's assistant during his turbulent tenure at Chelsea.

Following the sacking of Potter, Bruno took charge of Chelsea for one game, before moving on and joining Potter at West Ham 2 years later.

The Spaniard still holds the position as the assistant at the London Stadium.

9. Mark Hudson

Dominant English centre-back Mark Hudson was part of Cardiff City's unlikely promotion to the Premier League in the 2012/13 season. Born in London, Hudson spent time at the Fulham academy and played for an array of clubs within the London area, such as Crystal Palace and Charlton Athletic, during the 2000s.

A reliable defender, it wasn't until he joined Welsh side Cardiff that he found his true niche. In the 2012/13 season, Cardiff City steamrolled the Championship, finishing top by 8 points. Mark Hudson won the club's player of the season, and was also included in the Championship team of the season.

After playing one season in the Premier League with Cardiff, Hudson opted to drop back down into the Championship, this time with Huddersfield Town.

It was with the Terries where Hudson yet again achieved promotion, this time through the play-offs. Now retired, Hudson has tried his hand as a manager, taking the helm at Cardiff for a year between 2022 and 2023. His efforts, however, have been somewhat lacklustre thus far.

8. Daniel Ayala

Daniel Ayala enjoyed a career of high end Championship football. The Spaniard played for Hull City, Derby County, and Nottingham Forest. but it wasn't until he joined Middlesbrough where his career really took off.

Coached by fellow Spanish compatriot Aitor Karanka, Ayala was at the helm of the Middlesbrough backline throughout the 2015/16 season and helped the side earn promotion to the Premier League. He was included in the 2015/16 EFL Championship team of the season.

Ayala would spend a further 4 seasons at Middlesbrough, who unfortunately failed to stay in the Premier League for a prolonged period of time. Nevertheless, a true Boro stalwart, Ayala is a name that is etched in the Riverside Stadium folklore forever.

**7. Clint Hill **

Clint Hill is most famous for his time at QPR, in which he gained 2 promotions to the Premier League within his 6-year spell at the club. Captaining the side, Hill famously scored a last-minute winner in the 2014 play-off final against Derby County.

Hill also spent time at Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest down in the Championship, highlighting his longevity and tenacity. Despite his Premier League tenures being shortlived, Hill remains a QPR legend and was part of what was perhaps the most star-studded promoted team of all time. Playing alongside Champions League winners Jose Bosingwa, Ji Sung Park, and Julio Cesar, Clint Hill held his own in the side that unfortunately suffered relegation.

6. Ben Mee

Perhaps the most compelling answer to who is football's biggest "hardman", Ben Mee has enjoyed a devout career in the EFL.

Playing an integral role in 2 Championship promotions in 3 years with Burnley, Mee was the first name on the team sheet. He also played a starring role in the 2015/16 title winning campaign for the Clarets.

Coached by Sean Dyche, Ben Mee encapsulated the spirit of Burnley. After a decade at the club, Mee joined newly promoted Brentford in the Premier League, before moving back down to the Championship with Sheffield United.

It has often been argued that, had Ben Mee played for bigger clubs, then England caps would have called his name. Now 36 years old, the dream appears to be over. However, any Championship club with him at the heart of their defence can fancy their chances.

5. Lewis Dunk

Lewis Dunk is now a well known defender who has notched up an impressive number of appearances in the Premier League as well as earned caps for England.

Now 34-years old, Dunk has been a one club man his entire career, coming through the ranks at Brighton. Spending half a decade in the Championship with the Seagulls, Dunk was named in the Championship team of the season in the 2016/17 season which saw Brighton earn promotion to the Premier League.

Dunk has held the armband at Brighton for years, and this is testament to his leadership qualities and commitment to the club. He has overseen years of transition, from managers, to £100m sales of players, to Europa League knockouts, Dunk has been there through it all with Brighton.

4. Ryan Sessegnon

Ryan Sessegnon took the Championship by storm. The teenager only spent 2 full seasons in the league, but during this time he produced some unforgettable displays from the left back position.

Making the team of the season in the 2016/17 season as well as the 2017/18 season, Sessegnon helped Fulham get promoted back into the Premier League.

His stats were something to behold considering his age and his position. In the 2017/18 season, Sessegnon scored 16 goals and produced 8 assists, this would see him go on to win the EFL Championship player of the season.

His career may not have taken off in the same way as many would have thought, with the player yet to make a senior appearance for England. He is now back at Craven Cottage after an uninspiring spell at Spurs which included a bizarre loan to Bundesliga side Hoffenheim. But make no mistake, his prowess during his time in the Championship will forever be iconic.

3. Kieran Trippier

Perhaps one of the most notable names on the list, people are often very quick to forget where it all started for Kieran Trippier!

A Man City youth, Trippier spent a season on loan at Barnsley in the 2010/11 season. After impressive displays, it was Burnley who secured the loan signing of the young English fullback for the 2011/12 season. Burnley would then go on to sign Trippier permanently.

In the 2013/14 season, the Clarets dominated the Championship, and Trippier was the catalyst. Producing 17 assists from right back, Burnley earned promotion to the Premier League and Trippier was included in the team of the season.

Following on from this, Trippier enjoyed time at Spurs, in which he cemented his place as England's starting right back. Famously, Trippier scored a free kick in the 2018 Russia World Cup semi-finals against Croatia to put England 1-0 up. His efforts were not enough as England bowed out of the competition, yet his goal will forever be remembered.

After his time at Spurs concluded, Trippier sought a new challenge with Atletico Madrid before returning to the Premier League with Newcastle United, where he has held the armband since his arrival.

2. Sol Bamba

Once referred to as "better than Van Dijk" by manager Neil Warnock, Sol Bamba was a mainstay in the Cardiff City backline for years and played an integral role in the side's 2017/18 promotion.

A product of the PSG academy (yes, the big club in France), the Ivorian spent 5 years at Cardiff and enjoyed time in both the Championship and Premier League. His deceptive pace, accompanied by his physicality owing to his lanky frame (6 ft 3 in), made him a player that every attacker feared.

Tragically, Sol Bamba passed away shortly after retiring at the age of 39 due to cancer. He will forever be regarded as a Cardiff City legend, and his dominance in the Championship will be something players could only wish to emulate.

1. Wes Morgan

The man that needs no introduction.

Wes Morgan spent the majority of his career with EFL clubs, playing for Nottingham Forest and Leicester City. However, it was at Leicester where the Jamaican centre back achieved the unthinkable.

Morgan was named in the EFL Championship team of the season 3 times, once at Forest and twice at Leicester, with the second appearance coming in Leicester's 2013/14 title-winning campaign.

Captain of the Foxes, Morgan led Leicester to survival in their first season back in the Premier League.

The 2015/16 campaign? Let's just say they did more than survive.

Breaking bookies worldwide, Leicester City achieved what some believe will never happen again, as they lifted the Premier League trophy. Wes Morgan, accompanied by experienced veteran Robert Huth, featured in every single game for Leicester City during their unbelievable campaign. Morgan went on to captain the side in the UEFA Champions League.

Undeniably the greatest story to come out of the Championship, Wes Morgan will forever be regarded as the best there ever was.

Benji Kosartiyer
Journalist

Arthur Turner

EFL Transfer and News Writer

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