Barnsley will be looking to make a positive start to the 2021/22 Championship season, whilst under the new management of Markus Schopp. 

The Tykes had a season to remember last term, although it ended in slight frustration, as they were beaten by Swansea City in their play-off semi-final, after finishing fifth in the second-tier standings.

But there were plenty of positives to take for the club's supporters, and they'll be keen to challenge for promotion into the Premier League once again this term.

We take a look at Barnsley's best XI that Markus Schopp can field at this moment in time, as they edge closer to their season opener against Cardiff City this weekend.

Bradley Collins is likely to remain as Barnsley's first-choice goalkeeper this season, having featured regularly for the Tykes last term in the Championship.

The shot-stopper made 29 appearances in total for the Tykes, and kept 12 clean sheets in the 2020/21 season, whilst under the management of Valerien Ismael.

Collins is 24, and will be keen to go from strength to strength moving forwards with the Yorkshire-based side, as they look to challenge for promotion into the Premier League once again, but this time, under the watchful eye of Markus Schopp, who will know that he's got a tough act to follow on from Ismael.

Callum Brittain is next up, with the Barnsley full-back playing his part in the club's impressive season last term.

The defender made 45 appearances for the Tykes last season, and chipped in with five assists in that memorable campaign.

The 23-year-old has been with Barnsley since 2020, after arriving at Oakwell after a spell with League One side MK Dons, and it's safe to say that he's never looked back from since that move.

Brittain has already been involved for the Tykes during pre-season, and will be a key member of that team that provides a high-intensity style of football at both ends of the pitch.

Michal Helik is another player that is highly likely to feature for the majority of the 2021/22 campaign if he can stay injury-free this term.

The 25-year-old signed for Barnsley back in 2020, and certainly made a positive impact with the Tykes last term, as they narrowly missed out on promotion into the Premier League.

Helik made 49 appearances in total, and with an average Whoscored rating of 7.23, it certainly makes for good reading for the defender.

He'll be key to their defensive unit, and it'll be interesting to see whether he's part of a defensive three our four this season.

Mads Juel Andersen is next up, with the Danish defender starting every single league match that Barnsley played in during the 2020/21 season.

The 23-year-old had an average Whoscored rating of 7.17 from that campaign, and will be looking to go from strength to strength with the Tykes moving forwards.

He's still got plenty of room to develop in senior football at the age of 23, and if he can build on his showings from last year's campaign, then Barnsley could be a tough team to break down once again, especially if they're to play to the intensity that they had last term in the Championship.

Jasper Moon only made three league appearances for Barnsley last season, but certainly didn't look out of place with the Tykes, as they made a surprise push for promotion into the Premier League.

The youngster is still a raw talent at Oakwell, but could learn a considerable amount from the likes of Michal Helik and Mads Juel Andersen, who have both settled into life with the Tykes well.

If Moon can build on his strong performances during the 2020/21 season with Barnsley, then you can expect to see him become a regular in Markus Schopp's side.

An exciting season is likely to await the 20-year-old this term, under the management of newly-appointed boss Markus Schopp.

Callum Styles is next up, with the Barnsley midfielder being another regular during the 2020/21 season, as they finished fifth in the second-tier standings.

Styles has been with the club since 2018, and made 50 appearances in total for the Yorkshire-based side last term, and it appeared as though his strong performances didn't go unnoticed.

Leeds United were rumoured to be interested in a deal to sign Styles earlier this year, but a move failed to materialise for one reason or another.

If they can keep hold of the midfielder this summer, then he'll be a key member of the team, especially now that Alex Mowatt has departed.

Palmer made 39 appearances for Barnsley last season, which included featuring in both of their matches against Swansea City in their play-off semi-final.

The midfielder has been with the Yorkshire-based side since 2018, and will be keen to nail down a regular starting spot in Markus Schopp's side this term.

He's only 22, and many are likely to feel that Palmer has still got his best years ahead of him at Oakwell, especially if he can have another relatively strong season with the Tykes in this year's campaign.

Palmer will be hoping to make a positive start to the new season, starting against Cardiff City this weekend.

Josh Benson is one of Barnsley's summer recruits, as he signed from Premier League side Burnley on a permanent basis.

Benson made 12 senior appearances for Burnley, but found regular minutes hard to come by in Sean Dyche's side in recent seasons, which has seen him depart the club this summer.

The 21-year-old will be eager to make a name for himself in senior football, and a move to Barnsley could be ideal for him, as they would have been hoping to find a suitable replacement for Alex Mowatt, who departed in favour of a move to West Brom ahead of the new league campaign.

It's big shoes to fill for Benson, but he could be up to the task in the future.

Carlton Morris could be given his opportunity to impress this season with Barnsley, having found a regular starting spot hard to come by last term.

Morris made just six starts in total for the Tykes in their Championship campaign, and chipped in with seven goals and three assists in all competitions.

With Conor Chaplin leaving the club this summer in favour of a move to Ipswich Town, this could mean that Morris has a better chance of starting regularly this term, whilst under the management of newly-appointed boss Markus Schopp.

If he can hit the ground running, then he'll have a vital role to play in the Barnsley team.

Obbi Oulare will be hoping he can make a positive start to life with Barnsley, after signing for the club during the summer transfer window.

The forward had previously been on the books with Club Brugge and Watford earlier in his career, but made the move to Oakwell from Belgian side Standard Liege.

He netted five goals in 42 appearances for them, and will be keen to find the back of the net on a regular basis this term for the Tykes.

He's got big shoes to fill, as he's likely to have been the replacement for Daryl Dike, whose loan spell with the Championship side reached a conclusion at the end of the 2020/21 season.

Cauley Woodrow is a certain starter for Barnsley, with the striker recently being named as the club's new captain for the first-team.

The forward has been with the Tykes since 2019, and netted 15 goals in 50 appearances last season for the Yorkshire-based side, as they narrowly missed out on promotion into the Premier League.

Woodrow will know that he has to be at his best throughout the 2021/22 season, with Daryl Dike returning to Orlando City from his loan spell at Oakwell.

He'll be keen to hit the ground running with a positive performance in their season opener against Cardiff City.