Tom Brady, Leeds chaos, a Manchester United legend, and Hollywood Wrexham – why talkSPORT are excited for the EFL season

The EFL is back and this upcoming season is set to be one of the most thrilling in recent memory. While the Premier League may be the ultimate goal for many, it’s the 72 clubs below that provide more drama than any soap opera. Last season, Burnley, under the guidance of Kompany, clinched the title in a stunning fashion.

The Championship, England’s second tier, is expected to be more competitive than ever, with 19 out of the 24 clubs having previously played in the Premier League since its inception in 1992. This means that over three-quarters of the teams will be eager to reclaim their former glory.

League One will also offer a different kind of drama, as some of English football’s biggest names strive to make their way back into the Championship mix after a series of disappointing campaigns. Bolton, Charlton, Derby, Portsmouth, and Wigan, once regulars in the top flight, will be battling against traditional underdogs Leyton Orient, Stevenage, and Carlisle, who are determined to cause upsets this season.

Even the fourth tier promises intense competition, with all eyes on Salford City and Wrexham. These two clubs, under the ownership of Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, have returned to the Football League after a 15-year absence. Their ambition is to make a significant impact and leave a lasting impression.

One of talkSPORT’s biggest EFL fans, Adrian Durham, expressed his excitement for the upcoming season. He is particularly intrigued by how teams that fell short last season will perform this time around. Durham also wonders if players like Jamie Vardy, who have excelled in the Premier League, can maintain their effectiveness in the Championship, where the schedule is more demanding.

Durham is also looking forward to seeing clubs like Plymouth, who boast passionate and noisy crowds, back in the Championship. He is keen to observe how Russell Martin, the manager of Southampton, implements his passing game philosophy and whether fans will embrace it.

The EFL season is set to be an exciting one, with Leyton Orient’s return to the third tier, Notts County’s comeback to the EFL, and the performances of talented players like David McGoldrick and Nick Powell. Each of the 72 clubs involved has a unique story to tell, and talkSPORT will be covering all the action throughout the season.

Here are some key things to watch out for as the EFL season kicks off:

1. A Hollywood arrival in League Two: Wrexham’s promotion to the Football League, guided by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, is a major event. Their journey, documented in the ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ series, has put the club on the world stage. With Paul Mullin in their squad, Wrexham is expected to score plenty of goals and have a successful season.

2. A sporting GOAT at Birmingham City: The announcement of Tom Brady, a seven-time Super Bowl winner, as a minority shareholder at Birmingham City has caused a stir. Brady’s involvement is expected to bring positive changes to the club as they aim to recover from financial difficulties. This addition of high-profile figures in the EFL ownership landscape is an exciting development.

The EFL season promises to be full of excitement and surprises. With each club having its own unique story, there is plenty to look forward to. Whether it’s the battle for promotion, the return of former top-flight teams, or the influence of Hollywood and sporting legends, the EFL is sure to provide thrilling football action.In the pyramid of English football, the Championship holds a special place. It is a division that thrives on competition and excitement, but it has been missing a key ingredient in recent years – Leeds United. The absence of Leeds has left a void, as every division needs a giant club that can captivate fans and create a buzz across the country.

Leeds’ journey back to the top has been eventful, to say the least. Their recent takeover by 49ers Enterprises was only approved by the EFL a few weeks ago, and their new manager, Daniel Farke, only joined the club in July. The departure of sporting director Victor Orta has also affected their recruitment, with only two signings and several key players leaving the club.

TalkSPORT’s Durham believes that Leeds’ loaning out of players indicates their confidence in returning to the Premier League. However, the fans may not share the same level of confidence. Captain Liam Cooper’s strong message to players who don’t want to be at the club reflects the determination to succeed, but it also highlights the thin squad Leeds currently have.

Another team to watch out for in the Championship is Middlesbrough, led by manager Michael Carrick. Carrick had a successful first season in charge, narrowly missing out on promotion in the play-off semi-finals. The attacking style of play displayed by Middlesbrough has attracted attention, and fans are eager to see what Carrick can achieve in his first full season as a manager.

Sunderland is another club with high hopes for the upcoming season. Under the ownership of Kyril-Louis Dreyfus, they have adopted a successful business model focused on investing in talented young players. With players like Ross Stewart, Jack Clarke, Patrick Roberts, and Alex Pritchard, Sunderland has the potential to make a mark in the Championship.

One player to keep an eye on at Sunderland is Jobe Bellingham, the brother of Jude Bellingham. Jude’s rise to stardom, culminating in a move to Real Madrid, has been remarkable. Jobe will be looking to make a name for himself at Sunderland and contribute to the club’s promotion push.

The Championship promotion race promises to be fiercely competitive. Leeds, Leicester, Southampton, Middlesbrough, Sunderland, and Coventry are all strong contenders, but they will face stiff competition from clubs like Norwich, Watford, Millwall, West Brom, and Stoke City. Ipswich Town, despite their recent promotion, could also surprise everyone under the guidance of Kieran McKenna.

The battle for promotion in League One and League Two will be equally intense. Clubs like Derby, Barnsley, Bolton, Peterborough, and Portsmouth will be vying for promotion in League One, while Wrexham, Stockport, and Notts County are the teams to watch in League Two.

As the new season approaches, excitement is building across all divisions of English football. The Championship, in particular, promises to deliver drama, surprises, and intense competition. Fans can’t wait to see how the season unfolds and which teams will rise to the occasion.The talkSPORT network is set to provide football fans with an incredible 120 exclusive EFL commentaries throughout the season. This includes coverage of every playoff game, ensuring that you don’t miss a single moment of the action. The excitement begins this Friday night with the highly anticipated match between Sheffield Wednesday and Southampton.

But that’s not all! We have even more in store for you. Join us every Monday at 6pm on talkSPORT2 for EFL All Access with the fantastic Hugh Woozencroft. He will bring you the best round-up of the weekend’s EFL action, providing you with all the highlights and analysis you need. And if you can’t tune in at that time, don’t worry! The show is also available as a podcast, so you can catch up on all the latest news and discussions at your convenience.

We value your support and appreciate your dedication to the beautiful game. So, make sure to stay tuned to talkSPORT for all your EFL coverage needs. Let the excitement begin!
TalkSPORT have got into the swing of the new English Football League (EFL) season with an exciting line up of star-studded talent. This season, talkSPORT will be featuring the incomparable Tom Brady, the chaos of Leeds United, the Manchester United legend returning to his Manchester roots, and the Hollywood takeover of Wrexham Football Club. All this and more make for a memorable and must-watch season.

Tom Brady, the star of the NFL, will be joining the Championship for a loan spell at Nottingham Forest. The legendary quarterback, who won seven Super Bowls during his career with the New England Patriots, promises to be an exciting addition to the EFL, and fans across the country will be looking forward to seeing his skills firsthand.

Furthermore, Leeds United continue to generate incredible levels of anticipation and a palpable sense of chaos on the pitch. The team have worked hard to make it back to the Championship after a successful return to the top flight of English football last season, and they look set for a similarly disruptive 2020-21 campaign.

Meanwhile, Ole Gunnar Solskjær will be returning to the EFL this year. After delivering Manchester United the historic Europa League title for the first time in 2020, the Red Devils’ legendary manager will now be taking his first steps into management with Cardiff City.

And last but not least, Hollywood giants Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have recently taken the ownership of Wrexham Football Club from fans. This move has sparked huge levels of interest around the club, and talkSPORT will be the first to keep fans up to date with the latest news coming from the Welsh side.

So don’t miss out this season – talkSPORT are more than ready to bring you the action from all four corners of the EFL. From the debut of Tom Brady to the Hollywood takeover of Wrexham, don’t miss a minute of the outstanding football that comes with each EFL campaign.