League One most valuable XI: Leicester dominate with eight players

The third tier of English football has welcomed some huge clubs in recent years, and the 2026-27 League One campaign will be no different, with Sheffield Wednesday, Leicester City and Oxford United becoming the latest sides to drop down from the Championship.

At the other end of the table, Bromley, Milton Keynes Dons, Cambridge United and Notts County have all secured promotion from League Two and will now look to establish themselves in the division.

Leicester City are undoubtedly the standout name among the relegated clubs, becoming one of the biggest teams to suffer successive relegations after a disastrous campaign in the Championship.

Using Transfermarkt's market valuations as of July 23, Football Whispers have put together League One's most valuable starting XI for the upcoming season.

Unsurprisingly, the Foxes dominate the lineup, with eight of the 11 players selected currently belonging to Russell Martin's squad.

League One's most valuable XI for 2026/27 season

Here is League One's most valuable XI by position, with all values taken directly from Transfermarkt:

A 4-2-3-1 formation sees Jakub Stolarczyk take his place in goal, with Leicester City providing the majority of the defensive unit.

Wout Faes and Caleb Okoli form an all-Foxes centre-back partnership, while Luke Thomas completes the Leicester trio in defence. Luton Town's Reuell Walters takes the right-back position after an impressive spell with the Hatters.

The midfield is once again dominated by Leicester, with Louis Page partnering former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Oliver Skipp in the centre of the pitch, with both players valued at £3.4m.

The attacking positions feature a mixture of Leicester and Luton talent, with Isaiah Jones occupying the right wing and Lasse Nordas leading the line for the Hatters.

New Leicester signing Conor Chaplin earns a place in the number 10 role, while Stephy Mavididi completes the attacking trio from the left flank.

Can anyone stop Leicester City?

On paper, Leicester City possess a squad that should be competing at the very top of League One and immediately challenging for promotion back to the Championship.

However, similar expectations surrounded the Foxes last season following their relegation from the Premier League, only for them to endure another difficult campaign.

If Transfermarkt's valuations prove accurate and Russell Martin can find the right balance from his squad, Leicester should enter the season as clear promotion favourites.

With significant Championship and Premier League experience throughout their squad, the Foxes will be expected to set the standard in the third tier and could prove difficult for the rest of the division to compete with.