Now the season is drawing to a close, some are starting to look at the end of season awards. Therefore, our attention has turned to the best players of the season – who makes it into the team of the season?
The majority of teams only have three games remaining in the Premier League, and it’s been an exciting season. There have been some standout individual performances, and City have all but run away with it.
With the final day fast approaching, many have now started the conversation of the best 11 of the season. Well, we’re going to do the same: Here’s our Premier League team of the season!
It’s worth noting that while many have had some great spells, and some periods with great form, (Lingard, Iheanacho, Gundogan) we’re talking about the season as a whole, so they did not make it into our 11.
Our Premier League Team of the Season
Goalkeeper: Emi Martinez
Martinez left Arsenal before the start of the season and joined Aston Villa. At the start of the 2020/21 season, Aston Villa started extremely strongly and were amongst the top four for a while. A lot of this was down to Martinez keeping them in a number of games. The Argentine has been consistent all season, and has put on a number of impressive displays throughout the campaign.
Defenders
Right-Back: Joao Cancelo
Here is the first of the champions-elect (as you may have guessed, there’s a few more to come). Joao Cancelo is like a swiss army knife, he can play wherever, and he does a very solid job in whatever position. Whilst the Portuguese full-back has been on rotation with Walker and Zinchenko, Cancelo has performed really well when slotted into City’s back-line.
Centre-Back: John Stones
After a rollercoaster journey at Man City, Stones has now found his feet and has become a must-start for Pep & City. At the heart of the defence with new signing Ruben Dias, Stones has now become one of the best central defenders in the league, even keeping Aymeric Laporte out of a starting role.
Centre-Back: Ruben Dias
In our expert opinion, Dias is very clearly signing of the season, and arguably even the Premier League player of the season. Dias has been paramount to the success of Man City this season. As well as smashing it in the Premier League, he’s managed to keep Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar quiet in Europe – not many people can say that.
Left-Back: Luke Shaw
Another English international that has fulfilled his potential after a number of years with unfortunate injury etc, Luke Shaw has been a stand-out player for Man United this season. Under new management (sorry José), Shaw has transformed himself into one of the league’s best full-backs, and in terms of the upcoming Euros, he will definitely be joining Southgate in June.
Midfielders
Midfield: Tomas Soucek
Soucek came into a relegation-battling West Ham side who needed a change of fortune. With Soucek coming into the middle of the park, the dynamic at West Ham changed this season. The Czech midfielder has been key to The Irons’ push for European football next season. On top of that, if it wasn’t for Dias being so good, Soucek would definitely be in the conversation for signing of the season.
Midfield: Kevin De Bruyne
Is there much needed to be said about this one? De Bruyne is quality, and arguably one of, if not the best midfielder in the world. He was injured for a small part midway through the season, but that hasn’t stopped him being one of City’s most important players this season. We could go on about how good the Belgian is, but we feel like he will be one of the first names included in most people’s team of the season.
Midfield: Bruno Fernandes
Bruno Fernandes has been Manchester United’s saviour since he joined in January of last year. He’s continued to lead by example this season, and has been the main reason why Manchester United are second in the league. As well as his goals and assists, he is the main point of attack for United, with the Portuguese midfielder playing an integral role in United’s season.
Forwards
Right Wing: Mo Salah
It’s safe to say that Liverpool have not had a successful season in terms of being the defending champions. With that said, Mo Salah has continued to prove that he’s one of the best in the league. There’s three games left to play for Liverpool, and Salah has netted 20 times this season, which has placed the Egyptian second in the race for the Golden Boot – only Harry Kane is ahead (by just one goal).
Striker: Harry Kane
At the beginning of the season, there was no stopping the partnership of Kane & Son. The pair were scoring and setting each other up for fun, and Spurs started the season really strong. As well as a Carabao Cup final loss, and the sacking of José Mourinho during the season, it’s been a rather disappointing end to the campaign for Tottenham. Nonetheless, Kane has still proved he is the league’s best No.9 – and he’s leading the race for the Golden Boot with 21 goals in the league.
Left Wing: Phil Foden
Wonderkid. That’s the word that comes to mind when we watch Phil Foden play for City. He has been incredible over the last half of the season, and is becoming much more of a presence on the City team sheet. Who knew that 20-year-old Phil from Stockport would make it in the Premier League’s best 11? It’s also worth adding that there’s a strong case for Foden to pick up the PFA Young Player of the Year award.
Honourable Mentions
Here’s a mention to those players we considered that if we placed them in the team, there’s a solid argument as to why they would be included:
Wesley Fofana
Mason Mount
Jack Grealish
Marcus Rashford
Heung Min Son
The list could go on, but unfortunately we have run out of time. If we did have a bench for the squad, the names above would no doubt be on there.
Have We Named the Best Premier League Team of the Season?
Of course we have, we’re always right (obviously). Have we missed anyone out? Who else do you think should make it in? Let us know your thoughts via our Twitter - @Betting_couk!
