Premier League Team of the Season Predictions

The end of the Premier League season is upon us, which means it is almost time for the PFA Team of the Season. This accolade is awarded to the best XI of the Premier League that particular season and will feature one goalkeeper, four defenders, either three-to-four midfielders, and two-to-three attackers.

I will be constructing the team in a 4-4-2 formation and will also highlight 7 players on the bench who I feel deserve recognition. I will also feature one award: the PFA Player of the Year.

The Bench

Ederson (GK) – Manchester City

The Manchester City keeper has had a dominant campaign and is in a tight race with Liverpool’s Alisson for the golden glove award. He currently holds 16 clean sheets; one less than Alisson.

Matt Doherty (RB) – Wolverhampton Wanderers

Wolves have had an excellent run this year and find themselves in 7th. In result, Matt Doherty has been part of that success. He has been a consistent player for them, holding 3 goals and 4 assists as a defender.

Toby Alderweireld (CB) – Tottenham Hotspur

For years, Tottenham has had one of the most elite defenses in the league, and that is largely due in part to Toby Alderweireld. He has been a part of a defense that has only conceded 34 goals; tied for 3rd in the league.

Bernardo Silva (CAM) – Manchester City

Bernardo Silva has been a workhorse for Manchester City. In fact, Pep Guardiola described him as “the perfect player”. If a manager as prestigious as Guardiola calls a player perfect, then he must be special. Silva has 6 goals and 7 assists so far this season.

Son Heung-Min (LM) – Tottenham Hotspur

Son Heung-Min has been an offensive spark for Tottenham this season when they’ve needed it. We all know the effect Harry Kane and Christian Eriksen have had on Tottenham, but their unsung hero is Son. In only 26 games, he has 12 goals and 5 assists.

Raheem Sterling (RW) – Manchester City

Raheem Sterling has been one of the best players in an already-great attack within Manchester City. Even Virgil van Dijk voted for Sterling as the PFA Player of the Year. This season, he has contributed to 24 goals in the premier league, 15 goals and 9 assists.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (ST) – Arsenal

Arsenal has had an up-and-down season fluctuating between being in the top 4 and not. One of the most consistent spots for them has been the play of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. He has been constantly on the scoresheet for Arsenal this season with 17 goals.

Starting XI

GK – Allison (Liverpool)

Allison has been a revelation for Liverpool this season. He currently holds the most clean sheets in the league, as the defense has conceded only 20 goals; the least in the league. He has proven time and again why his price tag was the most expensive ever for a goalkeeper.

RB – Aaron Wan-Bissaka (Crystal Palace)

Aaron Wan-Bissaka came out of nowhere this season and has cemented himself as one of the best fullbacks in the league. Not only is he one of the best tacklers in the league (115), but he has only been dribbled past 7 times the entire season.

CB – Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)

Virgil van Dijk has been a force in the back. Liverpool has had their defensive struggles in the past few years, but all of those worries went away with the addition of van Dijk. He is one of the most intelligent players in the league, which make him almost impossible to get past. Similar to Alisson in terms of a deep price tag, Liverpool shouldn’t regret making van Dijk the most expensive defender.

CB – Aymeric Laporte (Manchester City)

Manchester City have conceded just 21 goals (1 less than Liverpool) and Aymeric Laporte is one of the main driving forces behind that. City were fantastic last season, but their center backs got better immediately with the addition of Laporte. He is a great passer of the ball and has versatility along the back line.

LB – Andrew Robertson (Liverpool)

There are few left backs that have been as efficient as Andrew Robertson as of late. The Scot has been one the best players going forward in the league with 9 assists. On top of that, Robertson’s defending ability is fantastic, making him a strong dual threat.

RM – Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)

The reigning golden boot winner and PFA Player of the Year has picked up where he left off. He may not be leading the league in goals, but he is close (18). Liverpool are well in the title race, but without Salah, that may not be true.

CM – Fernandinho (Manchester City)

For as great as the Manchester City attack and defense has been, it’s been the play of Fernandinho that makes this City team run. In the first half of the season when he had an injury, the team averaged almost an entire point less per game from results (2.42 with Fernandinho, 1.83 without).

CM – Paul Pogba (Manchester United)

This may be a controversial choice, but to ignore how Paul Pogba has performed in the second half of the season would be a travesty. Even before Mourinho was sacked, Pogba was still one of the better players for a struggling United side. Even with his slow start, Pogba has 11 goals and 9 assists.

LM – Eden Hazard (Chelsea)

Eden Hazard has been the best player for Chelsea this season. His 16 goals and 12 assists are the highest scoring output in the league. In fact, Hazard is the only reason Chelsea remain relevant in the top 4 race.

ST – Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur)

Harry Kane has proven he is one of the most consistent scorers in the history of the Premier League. For the 4 seasons leading up to this one, Kane has totaled 20+ goals on each occasion, reaching the 30-goal mark last season. This year, Kane is at 17 goals (3rd in the league) and has a chance to hit 20 goals once again.

ST – Sergio Agüero (Manchester City)

Similar to Kane, Sergio Agüero has been one of the most prolific scorers over the last few years. There was a point this season where Agüero had two hat-tricks that were one week apart. That put him at 11 career hat-tricks; tied for the most all time. He currently leads the league in goals with 19 and has a strong assist tally with 7.

PFA Player of the Year

My prediction for the PFA Player of the Year is Virgil van Dijk. He has single-handedly transformed the Liverpool defense into an outstanding unit in Europe. Everyone around the league has recognized how great van Dijk has been. With a variety of attributes at hand, it’s difficult to dispute his case.

Featured Image: The Mirror