Back page With everything except the final couple of European places now decided, now is a good time to pick my Premier League Team of the Season.
In a 4-3-3 formation, the team is as follows:
Goalkeeper – Ederson (Manchester City)
Probably the obvious choice of netminder considering the fact the Brazilian has more clean sheets (18) than any other Premier League goalkeeper this season. He of course has a stellar defensive unit in front of him. However, when called on he has made big saves and his distribution, composure and skill with the ball at his feet for a goalkeeper is up there with the best in the world.
Right back – Reece James (Chelsea)
England international right-back Reece James was so impressive at times during the season that he kept Cesar Azpilicueta out of the Chelsea first team.
Still just 21-years-old, James has the pace and skills to be one of the very best in his position. With one goal and three assists and having created many further chances this season, he has shown that he is adept at both ends of the pitch.
Centre half – John Stones (Manchester City)
Manchester City have the best defence in the league so it’s no real surprise that they have the best centre-backs too. John Stones is back in top form this season. The Englishman has completed a phenomenal 93.1% of his passes in the Premier League this season and his calming influence at the back has had a massive impact on Man City’s ability to defend with the ball.
Centre half – Ruben Dias (Manchester City)
Last summer’s arrival from Benfica has arguably been the best defensive signing in the Premier League since Liverpool bought Virgil van Dijk, and he is having the same impact on Man City’s defence.
Like Stones, Dias is best with the ball at his feet, and he has completed 93.5% of his attempted passes in the league this season. The Portuguese defender also deals with more of Man City’s aerial defensive duties, and has won 62.5% of his 88 aerial duels. He is a world-class defender, one who City manager Pep Guardiola values for more than just what he can do on the ball.
Left back – Luke Shaw (Manchester United)
A player cited in the past as having excess weight issues, 2020/21 has been the best season of Shaw’s ten year senior career.
As a left-back with attacking tendencies, Shaw has been compared to fellow former Southampton youth product Gareth Bale, with particular focus being placed on his speed, decision-making and defending skills. With one goal and five assists in 30 Premier League games this season, Shaw has more than just defensive duties as a focus of his.
Right attacking midfielder – Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)
The lynchpin of this Manchester City team. Almost everything good The Cityzens do goes through the Belgian. With eight goals and 15 assists across the Premier League and Champions League this season, the 29-year-old has been a vital part of what could be an historic three trophy winning season.
Central defensive midfielder – N’golo Kanté (Chelsea)
In midfield I’ve gone for Kanté, who since Thomas Tuchel has taken over as manager in January has been as good as any player in the league – some of his Champions League performances have been phenomenal.
Kanté would be the first name on the team sheet. Such a vital part of any team in terms of ability to get stuck in, win dirty ball and his never-take-a-rest attitude.
Left attacking midfielder – Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)
Fernandes was named Premier League Player of the Month for November in recognition of his four goals and one assist that month. He won the same award in December after scoring three goals and providing four assists in that month, becoming the first player to win the award four times in a single calendar year.
With a total of 26 goals and 16 assists, the Portuguese star has been United’s main creative outlet this season.
Forward – Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
On October 17th last, Salah scored his 100th goal for Liverpool in all competitions in a 2–2 away draw against Everton. In scoring his 100th goal in his 159th game, Salah became the first Liverpool player since Steven Gerrard in 2008 to reach the milestone, and the third fastest in Liverpool’s history after Roger Hunt (100 goals in 144 games), and Jack Parkinson (100 goals in 153 games). Salah is the fastest to reach 100 goals for Liverpool while scoring purely in England’s top flight, given that both Hunt and Parkinson scored some of their goals for Liverpool in the old English Second Division.
In total he has scored 29 goals and contributed 5 assists in 39 games between the Premier League and Champions League this season. While Salah’s game is of course not all about the numbers, his numbers are highly impressive.
Forward – Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur)
Kane scored in Tottenham’s 2–0 victory over Arsenal earlier this season making him the record highest goalscorer in the history of the North London Derby with 11 goals. It was also Kane’s 100th home goal for Tottenham in all competitions, and his 250th career goal for club and country.
On January 2nd, Kane converted a penalty to open the scoring and later provided an assist during Tottenham’s 3-0 home victory over Leeds United. This brought both Kane’s goal and assist tally in the league to 10, making him the first player in Europe’s top five leagues to reach double digits for goals and assists in the 2020-‘21 season.
In total, Kane has scored 24 goals and contributed 15 assists in the 35 games he has played in the Premier League and in Europe. Formidable figures.
Forward – Son Heung-Min (Tottenham)
The highly versatile Korean can play in any forward position, or even in deeper positions closer to the midfield, making him a valuable asset. He has a selfless work-rate and defensive contribution, and is capable of providing assists for teammates, in addition to scoring goals himself. Across the 2020-’21 season he has scored 17 goals and notched 10 assists in the 33 Premier League games he has played.
There you have my 2020/21 Premier League Team of the Season (4-3-3 formation): Ederson; James, Stones, Ruben Dias, Shaw; Kanté, De Bruyne Fernandes; Salah, Kane, Son Heung-Min.
Let us know what you agree with and what you think are glaring omission(s).
