Burnley and Leeds United predictably dominate PFA Championship team of the year
Burnley were among the big winners at the PFA’s annual awards’ night.
Four Clarets were named in the Championship’s team of the year following last season's automatic promotion.
Scott Parker enjoyed a debut season to remember as his Burnley side clinched an instant return to the Premier League with 100 points to their name.
They came within minutes of lifting the title too, but Leeds United pipped them to the trophy on goal difference with a last-minute winner on the final day.
Predictably, the PFA’s XI of the year is dominated by Burnley and Leeds men. The Clarets have four players named, while Leeds have five.
James Trafford gets the nod in goal after keeping 29 of Burnley’s record-equalling 30 clean sheets, while Maxime Esteve and CJ Egan-Riley – the centre-back pairing that helped the Clarets concede just 16 goals all season – were named in the back four.
Josh Brownhill is also recognised after scoring a remarkable 18 goals from midfield while captaining the side to their second-place finish.


Unfortunately for the Clarets, only one of those players nominated – Esteve – is still with the club, with the other three all moving on this summer.
Egan-Riley and Brownhill both left for free too, to rub the salt in the wound even more, the former linking up with French side Marseille. Brownhill, however, is yet to confirm his new club, but did confirm he would be moving on from Turf Moor.
Trafford, meanwhile, returned to Manchester City in a £31m move, plus add-ons and a sell-on. The 22-year-old also won the PFA’s players’ player of the year.
PFA Championship team of the year
GK – James Trafford (Burnley)
RB – Jayden Bogle (Leeds United)
CB – CJ Egan-Riley (Burnley)
CB – Maxime Esteve (Burnley)
LB – Junior Firpo (Leeds United)
CM – Ao Tanaka (Leeds United)
CM – Gustavo Hamer (Sheffield United)
CM – Josh Brownhill (Burnley)
RW – Dan James (Leeds United)
LW – Borja Sainz (Norwich City)
ST - Joel Piroe (Leeds United)
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