SQUAD SELECTOR 24/25: League One

Ali Maxwell drafts a 24-man squad, picking only one player per League One club.

Into League One…

Welcome to this three-part series where I pick a 24-man squad for each EFL league by drafting one player from every club—it’s trickier than you might think. Like trying to build the perfect tower by picking one piece from the Lego boxes of franchise films. A Hogwarts turret? A Millennium Falcon window? A Jurrasic Park… gate?

Thankfully, the EFL is more my wheelhouse. Round pegs in round holes. Square bricks on top of square bricks. And today I’m building a League One squad that has balance, verve, and a bit of steel. Let’s get to it.

SQUAD SELECTOR 24/25: League One

GOALKEEPERS

Sam Tickle (Wigan), Murphy Cooper (Stevenage), Jamal Blackman (Shrewsbury)

My squad was already locked in before Matt Watts’ excellent piece last week on young goalkeepers shining in the EFL, so it was a huge boost to see his positive breakdown of two of my picks between the sticks: Sam Tickle of Wigan and Murphy Cooper of Stevenage.

Tickle has been a standout for Wigan, showing not only his shot-stopping ability but also an impressive command of his box. He’s been 5th for save % in League One in both of his seasons as Wigan’s number 1, a level of consistency and quality that bodes well for someone so young. Cooper, meanwhile, has been making waves (and saves) at Stevenage, proving himself as a real presence in goal despite his young age. The third choice is the experienced Jamal Blackman. He’s been around the block (LAFC, Vitesse, Ostersund… Exeter) and works as a goalkeeping coach already at an academy in Sheffield.

CENTRE-BACKS

Christoph Klarer (Birmingham City), Paudie O’Connor (Lincoln), Ethan Pye (Stockport), Johnly Yfeko (Exeter)

In my eyes, Christoph Klarer is the best player for the best team in the league - a centre-back who mixes control and quality on the ball with aggressive defensive dominance. Having only just turned 21, Ethan Pye’s progression as he moves up the pyramid with Stockport suggests a player with a huge future, but he’s also a standout League One CB this season. Klarer and Pye is a partnership I would absolutely love to see.

For back-up, Paudie O’Connor is a defensive giant for the level, heading, blocking and clearing everything. Johnly Yfeko feels like a slightly cheeky pick — he’s only played 12 League One games in an injury-hit season — but I saw enough in those performances to want a magically healed Yfeko in this squad. Comfortable on the left of a back three, centre back or left back in a four, he’s a tough tackler with speed.

FULL-BACKS / WING-BACKS

Odel Offiah (Blackpool), Corey O’Keeffe (Barnsley), Jack Currie (Leyton Orient), Owen Dodgson (Burton)

Here we have a mix of attacking thrust, defensive resilience, and versatility. On the right, Odel Offiah has been one of my favourite loanees in the EFL this season. Currently at Blackpool from Brighton, it wouldn’t be a stretch to say he’s been the best right-back in League One this season, with a nice balance of technical aptitude, size and speed. Corey O’Keeffe is a dynamic, confident player, front-footed in possession, who can carry the ball and deliver from wide areas with real intent.

On the left, I’m delighted to have Jack Currie, who has been terrific in his first season at this level. He’s a relentless competitor, defensively solid, and never stops motoring up and down. Alongside him, Owen Dodgson has caught my eye since moving to Burton with his wicked crossing from the left side. Currie will start, but if we’re chasing the game and packing the box, I’d want Dodgson on the left.

CENTRAL MIDFIELDERS

Conor Coventry (Charlton), Josh Sheehan (Bolton), Lewis Wing (Reading), Terry Taylor (Northampton)

Conor Coventry: understated and underrated. Tenacious and tidy. Few weaknesses. Looks after the ball when you have it, and wins it back when you don’t. Josh Sheehan perhaps hasn’t sparkled at Bolton this season compared to previous years, but this guy can still control a game if we’re going for a possession-heavy style.

But I’d start the tournament with Conor Coventry sitting and Lewis Wing roaming. He’s someone who makes things happen, perhaps the best ball-striker in the division, and he’s matured so much as a defensive player and a leader in his late 20s. Set piece heaven, and Wing swinging in KDB-esque crosses from deep half-spaces towards our strikers will be a regular feature of our attacking play. Terry Taylor makes it in, a pet project of mine having made our 21 Under 21 list before missing the best part of 18 months through injury. Having played a full 90 in every game since joining Northampton Town, Taylor is back in business and I expect him to kick on in the next few seasons.

ATTACKING MIDFIELDERS / WIDE FORWARDS

Kwame Poku (Peterborough), Kamari Doyle (Crawley), Josh Koroma (Huddersfield), Ruel Sotiriou (Bristol Rovers), Josh Stokes (Cambridge), Mallik Wilks (Rotherham)

Kamari Doyle simply cannot be ignored, and could well have made the starting #10 position his own with some sparkling performances in a poor Crawley side. He’s ticking every box - goal threat, creativity, ball-carrying and pressing. Ruel Sotiriou and Josh Stokes are both versatile attacking players, happy off the sides, as #10s or even up top. Both have a goalscoring knack which could lead to important goals off the bench in knockout games. They’re fighting with Josh Koroma to start off the left - it doesn’t feel like a hugely strong group of left-sided wide forwards in League One this season, but when Koroma is on it, he can be electric and a big goal threat. On the right side, Kwame Poku would be a Player of the Season candidate had he not missed 16 league games through injury, and still has the 6th most goal contributions. We’ll be hoping to get Peak Mallik Wilks in the last 20 minutes of games, with his powerful dribbling and shooting.

STRIKERS

Richard Kone (Wycombe), Sam Smith (Wrexham), Will Evans (Mansfield)

Kone is a League One phenom, a complete forward with a terrific goalscoring touch. I cannot imagine there is a better third-tier striker in the world right now, and I include his Golden Boot rival with the record-breaking price tag. In Sam Smith, we have another proven goalscorer who will stop at nothing to get on the end of things and battle with defenders. And Will Evans is a dogged, unconventional striker with 32 goals across the last two seasons.

Starting XI

Rob Dorsett got the scoop on this starting XI for our opening match against the National division of France:

A good side, I’m sure you’ll agree - now carve out some time to show me yours in the comments!