An incredible XI of players that were in the Football League back in 18-19

The depth of the football pyramid is arguably the best thing about English football, with some truly exceptional young footballers developing their skills below the top tier. 

Key senior England internationals like John Stones, Harry Maguire and Harry Kane all received invaluable experience playing as youngsters in the Football League, and that tradition continues to this day.

Not only is it fertile ground for Premier League clubs to send their highly-rated academy prospects for game time, but it’s also perfect for scouts to spot up-and-coming players breaking through.

We’ve made a brilliant XI made up of players that were plying their trade in the Football League back in the 2018-19 season, arranged in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Having previously been loaned out to Stockport, Grimsby and Shrewsbury, Manchester United’s Henderson first caught the eye as a young goalkeeper to watch during Sheffield United’s promotion-winning 2018-19 campaign.

He remained at Bramall Lane as one of the standout performers for Chris Wilder’s Blades as they finished 9th in their first season back, while Aaron Ramsdale struggled to fill his boots as they suffered relegation the following year.

Henderson, meanwhile, was welcomed back into the fold at Old Trafford, challenged David de Gea for the No.1 spot and earned his England debut in November 2020.

He was named in Gareth Southgate’s 26-man squad for Euro 2020 but had to withdraw due to injury and has since found himself on the fringes at Old Trafford as De Gea has emphatically reasserted his place. It will be interesting to see what’s next for the promising goalkeeper.

James had been earmarked as a player with a big future ever since his exploits with the Chelsea youth team, winning a pair of FA