EFL played a role in providing England’s Euro 2020 squad with talent

If the importance of the EFL was ever in doubt, football fans should only need to look at the players that are involved in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the upcoming 2020 UEFA European Championships.

The Three Lions are one of the main favourites for bettors who use Max Free Bets to further boost their own betting chances when wagering on this summer’s huge tournament, with the national side stacked with a plethora of superstars.

When taking a look at each of the individuals involved in the squad, via the Daily Mail, that has been chosen, it is clear that the EFL has played a major role.

Goalkeepers

Dean Henderson might be at Manchester United, but he joined Carlisle United first before making the move, whilst making his professional football debut in the EFL for Grimsby Town before loan spells with Shrewsbury Town and Sheffield United.

Sam Johnston was another Manchester United graduate but made his mark with Scunthorpe United before further loan spells at Walsall, Yeovil, Doncaster, Preston North End and Aston Villa before playing for West Bromwich Albion.

Jordan Pickford began his career with Sunderland before his time at Everton, however he played at Carlisle, Bradford City and Preston North End, as well.

Defenders

Ben Chilwell may have just won the UEFA Champions League with Chelsea, but he started off with Leicester City when they were in the Championship, whilst a brief loan spell at Huddersfield was also enjoyed.

Conor Coady might have been a Liverpool graduate, but he benefited from playing in the EFL with Sheffield United and Huddersfield Town before his switch to Wolves.

Reece James is a regular at Chelsea now, but only after impressing whilst on loan at Wigan Athletic in the Championship.

Manchester United captain, Harry Maguire, played in the Championship and League One with Sheffield United, Wigan and Hull City before moving to Leicester and then the Red Devils.

Tyrone Mings made his league debut for Ipswich in the EFL and made several appearances before getting his move to Bournemouth and then Aston Villa.

John Stones starred for Barnsley in the EFL before moves to Everton and then Manchester City followed.

Kieran Tripper might be enjoying his football in Spain, but he started at Manchester City where a loan spell and a further couple of years with Burnley in the EFL helped him.

A Premier League champion, Kyle Walker made his league debut whilst on loan from Sheffield United at Northampton Town, playing in League One.

Loan spells, as well as time playing for Brighton in the EFL, helped turn Ben White into a household name, with his time at Leeds in the Championship last season really making him known.

Midfielders

A Birmingham City graduate, Jude Bellingham has been stealing the headlines recently but with no experience of Premier League football, he shows the EFL can provide national teams with talent.

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson owes the EFL thanks as he spent time on loan at Coventry City back in 2009 as he learned his craft.

Mason Mount is another who learned his craft in the Championship before making it in the Premier League, with his spell at Derby County making him one of Chelsea’s key players.

Kalvin Phillips is Leeds through and through and showed just how good he has been throughout the EFL.

Strikers

Jack Grealish showed everyone how good he is in the Championship before wowing audiences in the Premier League, however he has also had time in League One as he spent a loan spell at Notts County.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin made his debut at Sheffield United as a product of their academy in League One before having a spell at Northampton Town in League Two.

Even Harry Kane has spent time playing in the EFL at one point in his career, with the England skipper having made his debut for Leyton Orient in 2011 in League One. Further loan spells at Millwall, Norwich and Leicester in the EFL also followed.

England have plenty to thank the EFL for, especially if they go on to lift the 2020 UEFA European Championships this summer!