The Professional Football Association has had its say and now it’s my turn.
At the end of another pulsating Premier League season, the PFA has picked its team of the year, the 11 footballers the players agree are worth a place.
There has been a Liverpool love-in with six Reds players in the team, keeper Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk in the back four, Thiago in midfield and Mohamed Salah alongside Sadio Mane in attack.
League champions Manchester have three representatives in Kevin de Bruyne (of course) and Bernard Silva in midfield and Joao Cancelo at left-back.
The team is completed by one Chelsea player, the departing centre-back Anton Rudiger, and a Manchester United man in Cristiano Ronaldo.
So this SBOTOP writer now has the task of picking an alternative team, and I reckon I can put 11 together who can beat the PFA’s selection or at least give them a run for their money.
The obvious strategy might be to find eight Manchester City players after the Sky Blues won a fourth Premier League title in five years, but to beat a team which includes 10 North West based players, I’ve gone for five Londoners – five from the North West and a Midlander.
A much better balance I’m sure you’ll agree.
Goalkeeper
Ederson – Manchester City: This choice must have been a toss up between the two best goalies in the league, so I’m happy to take the City man. He equalled Alisson’s 20 clean sheets and the goals-against figure of 26 was the same for both clubs. Ederson has the best distribution skills of any stopper in Europe so he’s a shoo-in for me.
Defence
Andrew Robertson – Liverpool: At left-back, Roberson was desperately unlucky to come up against City’s Cancelo who had a magnificent campaign. But the brilliant Scot showed again why he’s been such a key player for Liverpool and Scotland with 10 assists and a string of world-class defencive displays.
Reece James – Chelsea: On the other flank, I’ve picked England right-back Reece James who just seems to be getting better and better. Despite struggling with injury in the first half of the campaign, he still made nine assists and is one of the best crossers in the game. James is sure to write more Premier League 2022 news headlines next season.
Ruben Dias – Manchester City: Since his big money transfer from Benfica to Manchester in 2020, Dias has established himself as one of the finest centre-backs in world football. His positional sense and strong tackling is complemented by his ability to play out from the back, which makes for the perfect modern defender. The Premier League 2022 betting odds will install Manchester City as title favourites again and with the likes of Dias in the side it’s no wonder.
James Tarkowski- Burnley: An era has come to an end in Burnley who have been relegated after six seasons in the top-flight, but centre-back James Tarkowski will be staying in the Premier League having run down his contract. The Clarets’ centre-back has been immense during a tough campaign since he has made the second-highest number of clearances in the league (183), the second-highest headed clearances (101), and the highest number of blocks (61).
Midfield
Declan Rice – West Ham: In the holding midfield position, I’m going for West Ham’s 23-year-old vice captain Declan Rice. He had an excellent campaign at Euro 2020 and followed that up with another brilliant season at the London Stadium. Rice was named in the Europa League Team of the Year and, an inspirational box-to-box player, he looks set to have a glittering England career.
Mason Mount – Chelsea: Alongside Rice, I have his mate Mason Mount who has been the standout player for Chelsea in the Blues’ front six. In a campaign in which the club’s strikers have underperformed, Mount has contributed 11 goals and 10 assists – a tally Chelsea legend Frank Lampard would be proud of.
Jarrod Bowen- West Ham: On the other side the Hammers, attacking midfielder Bowen is definitely worth a place. He’s scored 12 goals and made 10 assists and has earned England recognition as a result. Bowen is the perfect man to support the attack with his direct running and cool finishing.
Forwards
Diogo Jota- Liverpool: While his attacking teammates made the PFA XI, Jota will have to accept a place in my team and it’s fully deserved as he established himself as one of Liverpool’s front three and scored 15 goals.
Heung Min Son- Tottenham: On the other side, I have the excellent Son, who somehow missed out on PFA selection despite sharing the Golden Boot with Mo Salah having plundered 23 goals this season. The South Korean is the perfect supporting striker with his quick feet, eye for goal with a better shot accuracy than Salah, and tireless running.
Harry Kane- Tottenham: Son’s teammate Kane missed out on the PFA team because he had such a poor first half of the campaign. But he roared back to end up with 17 goals and, had he not been so lacklustre between August and November, he would surely have won the Boot and he’s the ideal man to spearhead my team.
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