My PL Team Of The Season
We are just hours away from putting the 2020/2021 Premier League season behind us(I say this on behalf of Arsenal fans), and what a season it has been.
Manchester City, again, are champions. Partly because Pep Guardiola is class and partly because Ole Maasai is stupid.
With West Brom, Fulham and Sheffield United already relegated, the last order of business remains the fight for ‘Top 4’, with immediate former champions Liverpool, sacker of coaches Chelsea and mediocre at best Leicester battling it out.
Here is my 2020/2021 best 11:
Formation: 3–5–2
GK: Emi Martinez (Aston Villa)
The shot stopper has been a gem at Villa Park since his acquisition from Arsenal at the beginning of the season. Only Ederson Moares (18) and Eduoard Mendy (16) sit above him in terms of clean sheets. However, Martinez betters the two in terms of number of saves made (136). That’s 3.6 saves per match, and 75.1% save success this season.
CB: Wesley Fofana (Leicester)
Let’s agree, the French under-21 international has been a joy to watch at the Brendan Rodgers coached side this season, and nobody saw it coming. Since his signing from Ligue 1 side St Etienne in October last year, the 20 year old has gone ahead to make 27 PL appearances for the foxes this season ahead of the experienced Johnny Evans.
CB: Ruben Dias (Manchester City)
There is no 2020/21 PL team of the season without Ruben Dias. The gigantic Portuguese has been a wall at Etihad. He has been so good this season that he was feted The Football Writers Player of The Season. My favorite candidate for the PL Player of the Season.
CB: Harry Maguire (Manchester United)
Hate him or love him, the Manchester United skipper has made numbers in the just concluded season. After a woeful 2019 season, Harry is fast catching up and settling well at Old Trafford. In his 34 appearances this season, Maguire has managed 122 clearances, 135 aerial duels won, 60 interceptions and 29 tackles (better than Ruben Dias in all of them).
RWB: Luke Ayling (Leeds United)
The Leeds United assistant skipper, to me, fits the bill of a true wing-back; one who is good both in defensive and offensive duties. The 29 year old has made 108 tackles this season (highest this season). He has also manage 271 recoveries, and has a total of 82 crosses in his 37 appearances this season. So much for a 29 year old if you ask me.
CM: Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)
Another PL season, another Bruno Fernandes masterpiece. The Manchester United player of the season has been the game changer in the Old Trafford club’s recent success, and that’s a fact. 37 appearances, 18 goals (third in the top scorers list), 12 assists (second in the top assists list). Need I say more?
CM: Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)
Injuries marred his start of the campaign, but Kevin De Bruyne still makes my team of the season. He has just managed 24 appearances this season, yet, he is third in the top assists list with 11 assists, one shy of second placed Bruno Fernandes. A good leader and player on and off the pitch.
CM: Ilkay Gundogan (Manchester City)
The German has been the go-to man for Pep Guardiola this season. With De Bruyne injured, and Sergio Aguero past his best times, Gundogan took the mantle on his sleeves, going ahead to score 13 PL goals from midfield. Let’s not forget to mention that of the 13 goals, only one was from the penalty spot.
LWB: Luke Shaw (Manchester United)
The best left wing back in the PL this season by far. 32 appearances, 5 assists, 7 big chances created, 187 recoveries. His rise to the top is a spectacle to behold. For me, he’s the Manchester United Player of The Season. Well in Luke!
CF: Mohammed Salah (Liverpool)
Considered one of ‘not-his-best’ seasons and yet, the Egyptian King is currently joint top with Harry Kane at the Top Scorers list with 22 goals. He’s the best African to ever play in the PL, case closed.
CF: Harry Kane (Tottenham)
Harry Kane scores, Harry Kane provides. Tottenham may have had a bad season, but certainly not their talisman, Kane. 34 appearances, 22 goals (top of the list), 13 assists (top of the list). A move away from North-London is imminent for the England number 9, who admits to craving for a maiden silver wear.
SUBS:
GK: Eduaord Mendy (Chelsea)
CB: Thiago Silva (Chelsea)
CB: Caglar Soyuncu (Leicester)
CM: Tomas Soucek (West Ham)
CM: Phil Foden (Manchester City)
CF: Patrick Bamford (Leeds United)
CF: Edi Cavani (Manchester United)
*Stats courtesy of Premier League, Sofascore app and Squawka Football
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