Another fantastic Serie A season draws to a close and so now is the time to reflect, for players, coaches, club owners…and us here at SBOTOP.
There’s little debate as to which the best team has been as Napoli stormed to the league title, with the Serie A 2023 betting odds backing Luciano Spalletti’s team from the start of the new year. But there have been star performers elsewhere; so when we pick our Serie A Team of the Year it isn’t all Partenopei; but there’s a healthy share of the places for the heroes of Naples.
Let’s take a look at our one to eleven, starting with a stopper who has made a name for himself in Rome.
1: Ivan Provedel – Lazio
Only champions Napoli conceded fewer goals than Lazio’s 30 and keeper Ivan Provedel can be proud of his role in I Biancoceleste’s superb campaign as they qualified for the Champions League in second place. He has emerged as a vital figure in Lazio’s squad this term, keeping 20 clean sheets in 36 league appearances. After moving to Lazio last summer, the 29 year old received his first international call up in Roberto Mancini’s squad to face England and Hungary. Provedel is an unsung hero with a growing army of fans.
2: Giovanni Di Lorenzo – Napoli
Following the departure of the legendary Lorenzo Insigne, Giovanni Di Lorenzo was handed the captain’s armband at Napoli and he has led the Partenopei by example in their Scudetto winning campaign. As an attacking right back he is defensively strong while posing a real threat going forward, and he has rarely been out of the limelight in this stellar campaign.
3: Theo Hernandez – AC Milan
Known for his pace on the left flank and his crossing and goal-scoring ability, Milan’s Hernandez is a shoe-in for the left back position. He’s one of the best in the world and the former Real Madrid star scored an early goal for France in their World Cup semi-final win over Morocco and he brought his form back to the San Siro.
4: Kim Min Jae – Napoli
South Korean star Kim Min Jae joined Napoli from Fenerbahce last summer and he has settled into Serie A seamlessly, his pace, strength and flexibility make him a superb modern day centre back, with a fine range of long passing he can turn defence into attack in the blink of an eye.
5: Bremer – Juventus
Alongside Kim we have Brazil centre back Gleison Bremer who moved to Juventus last summer from Torino. He’s a physically strong centre back, good in the air and with superb positional sense, and has contributed four goals this season. Bremer has picked up three caps for the Selecao and his move to Juventus will make sure he stays in the limelight.
6: Sergej Milinkovic-Savic – Lazio
My midfield lynchpin is Lazio’s Serbian enforcer, Milinkovic-Savic who, at28 years of age is now in his prime. The 6ft 4in star has been compared to the great Zinedine Zidane as the combines defensive prowess with a creative array of passing, and strong running to support the attack; the perfect box-to-box midfielder.
7: Nicolo Barella – Inter Milan
On the right wing I’m going for Inter’s super versatile Nicola Barella who can play as an attack minded central midfielder with a good rage of passing and shooting. But he favours the right side where he has operated for both Inter Milan and the Azzurri. A clever player he can open up an opportunity with a killer pass but is also willing to put the hard yards is, tracking back to help his defence.
8: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia – Napoli
Nicknamed Kvaradona by the adoring Napoli fans this Georgian winger has taken Serie A by storm and, while Di Lorenzo took over the leadership responsibilities from Insigne, Kvaratskhelia has become the new creative maestro. His quick feet and change of speed gives defenders nightmares and he has become the first player to win three Serie A Player of the Month awards in one campaign.
9: Victor Osimhen – Napoli
Another Napoli star who has made more than his fair share of Serie A 2023 highlights is Nigerian star Osimhen, who has ripped up the league and has the Capocannoniere in his hands. After suffering last season with injury he’s had a full campaign and now the world knows how good this guy is. Napoli fans will be desperately hoping that Osimhen is still at the club in August, but with some of Europe’s biggest clubs circling, it’s going to be a long summer.
10: Lautaro Martinez – Inter Milan
Alongside Osimhen I have World Cup winner Martinez who is second in the race for the Capocannoniere, five goals behind the Nigerian on 21. His quick and well timed runs into the penalty area, and his superb finishing ability make Martinez the perfect foil to a big striker, as Romelu Lukaku would testify.
11: Rafael Leao – AC Milan
On the left wing Rafael Leao is the natural choice. He’s been I Rossoneri’s best player again, scoring 13 goals and making eight assists and, while Milan are looking for a new right winger, the priority will be to keep Leao at the club.
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