The shortlists for the PFA Players’ Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year were revealed on Thursday. It generated plenty of debate – particularly Tottenham starlet Dele Alli missing out on a Players’ Player nomination despite his incredible 16 league goals so far.
In what has been another incredible and exciting Premier League season, with Chelsea certain to claim back the trophy they relinquished to Leicester City last year – a fairy-tale season, one which surprised everyone around the World. However, Chelsea have returned with a bang and in Antonio Conte, a coach who is a proven winner and seems to go about his business with consummate ease, a characteristic that is reflected in the way Chelsea are handling their efforts to win back the Premier League title.
Down at the bottom has been just as much as interesting as the Top 4 race with Sunderland, Middlesbrough, Swansea, Hull, Crystal Palace and West Ham all fighting for Premier League survival.
As the season draws to a close with a month left of the season to go, many fans will be drawing up drafts of their team of the season.
My team of the season so far will throw up much debate, but here it is:
Goalkeeper:
Jordan Pickford
Certainly, most people would have Thibaut Cortouis, Hugo Lloris and David De Gea as their goalkeepers. Who wouldn’t? But for me, Sunderland’s Jordan Pickford has impressed me the most this season. David Moyes’ side may be staring relegation in the face right now, but Pickford has been excellent with some outstanding saves this season. His club may be relegated to the Championship come May, but don’t expect him to be still at Wearside come the new season in August with a host top clubs in the Premier League vying for his signature.
Key Stat: Jordan Pickford has made a staggering 83 saves in the Premier League this season.
Right Back:
Antonio Valencia
Mourinho earlier in the season described Valencia as the best right back in the world. The Portuguese coach even went further in saying he could have signed him when he was coach at Real Madrid. A footballer that garners much praise; right back may not be his favoured position but since converting from winger to full-back, the Ecuadorian has never looked back with his attacking and defensive abilities plus his amazing work ethic – evident in his goal against Middlesbrough in March – a characteristic so endearing to Jose Mourinho. No wonder why the Old Trafford faithful love him.
Key Stat: Antonio Valencia has completed more crosses than any other Premier League full-back this season.
Centre Backs:
Toby Alderweireld
How any of the top managers in World football would love to have Toby Alderweireld as their centre-back. A defender with a never-say die attitude and his ability to just, defend. Isn’t that what their job is? Alderweireld does it with consummate ease, not only that but his passing abilities which has been the foundation of what coach Mauricio Pochettino is trying to achieve at White Hart Lane. The Belgian defender has been central to Tottenham’s resurgence over the past couple of seasons, they will do well to keep him this summer.
Key Stat: No defender has completed more long balls (143) in the Premier League this season. Alderweireld also has the highest completion rate for long balls in the league for players who have attempted over 225 with 55.43%.
Michael Keane
Another surprise addition in my team of the season. Yes, people would disagree and ask me why not David Luiz, Virgil Van Dijk etc. etc. but for me, Michael Keane has impressed so much so that he earned his first call-up to the England squad in March and even impressed in the narrow defeat to Germany in Dortmund. The former United defender has been rejuvenated under the tutelage of Sean Dyche this season which has led to some speculation that he could be on the radar of Antonio Conte at Chelsea, Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool and Ronald Koeman at Everton – a testament to what has been a remarkable campaign in a steady and stable Burnley side.
Key Stat: Keane has won more aerial duels than any other defender in the league this season, with 132 successful headers.
Left Back:
Marcos Alonso
Few had raised eye brows when Antonio Conte raided Fiorentina for the services of left-back Marcos Alonso last summer following his past struggles in the Premier League during his short spells at Bolton and Sunderland, but the Spanish defender has repaid the faith shown to him by Conte and has been a constant menace with his marauding runs into the opposition penalty box and his knack of quality supplies to Chelsea’s forwards. He looked out sorts to start with, until Conte changed to a 3-4-3 system and he has never looked back, forming a formidable defence with Cahill, David Luiz, Caesar Azpilicueta and fellow wing-back Victor Moses. Guess he wouldn’t have thought he’d be picking up a Premier League medal when he left Bolton for Fiorentina in 2013.
Key Stat: Only Alexis Sanchez has completed more through balls from the left flank (two) and no full-back has scored more non-penalty goals than Alonso, who has found the net five times.
Midfielders:
Adam Lallana
This is a guy reborn. He’s always had the quality, but his inconsistencies took the better of him in his early stages as a Liverpool player. However, under Klopp, Lallana has flourished and has earned himself the mettle of being one of Liverpool’s most important players this season. Forget Coutinho, Henderson and Firmino. Lallana has been a breathe of fresh air along with Sadio Mane as both players have been vital to Klopp’s heavy metal football. What has been impressive about Lallana is his work rate and willingness to hunt down lost causes, a characteristic that Klopp admires in his attacking players. Lallana may be getting older, but that only means he is getting better so much so that Gareth Southgate has declared his desire to base his England side around the qualities of Lallana. A huge testament to a player who a couple years ago, possibly made the wrong choice in switching Southampton for Anfield.
Key stat: Lallana has scored seven goals this season, creating 32 chances and laying on seven goals for his team mates, his best return in a Premier League season. Lallana has completed 1020 passes this season with a pass accuracy of 84%.
N’golo Kante
What a player. We have simply run out of superlatives for the guy. N’golo Kante has been simply outstanding this season. After impressing last season for Leicester City, he is on course to win his second consecutive Premier League winners medal under Conte at Chelsea – it is no coincidence. He has made a huge difference to the Chelsea team with his work rate, tackling abilities, his incredible knack of being in the right place at the right time to intercept attacking moves and his towering strength despite his small frame. He has simply been a revelation. A player worthy of the PFA Player of the Year gong, if not fellow team mate Eden Hazard.
Key stat: No Midfielder in the top six has completed a higher total of tackles and interceptions this season (135) than Kante. He is completing 19.13 more passes per 90 minutes for Chelsea than in his title-winning season with Leicester City last year. Incredible.
Dele Alli
Need we say more about this player? A player who has matured into probably the Premier League’s most hottest prospects. 16 League goals to his name this season, an outstanding return for a player who is only just reaching his 21st birthday in April. Alli has been central to Pochettino’s young squad, and the club will be trying everything in their power to keep him out of the clutches of Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Manchester United and Barcelona. Alli would be smart to turn those clubs down and carry on his rapid progression to becoming one of the best young midfielders in European football. There is no better place to achieve his ambitions than under Mauricio Pochettino at White Hart Lane.
Dele Alli. Remember the name.
Key stat: No midfielder across Europe’s top five leagues has scored more league goals than the Englishman who has scored 16 times, and has also popped up with five assists.
Wingers:
Sadio Mane
This guy is rapid. Sadio Mane has had an unbelievable season under Jurgen Klopp this year which is reflected in his importance to side. Liverpool have won more games with Mane in the starting 11 than they have without him. His ability to run in behind the defence combined with his terrifying pace and movement cannot be matched by his team mates Firmino and Coutinho who are more blessed with their technical skill. How Jurgen Klopp would love a few more Manes in his team, maybe then they would have had a better chance at challenging Chelsea than they have. It’s unfortunate his season has been cut short because of injury, because Liverpool need him now more than ever if they are to finish in the Champions League places.
Key Stat: most goals (13), most take ons completed (68) and third most chances created (44) for the league’s most creative team, Liverpool.
Eden Hazard
A certain addition in my team of the season. I love watching this player. Such an enjoyable footballer to watch. If you ever need a player who encapsulates the ‘edge of seat’ term then look no further than Eden Hazard. A player blessed with incredible skill, an unerring ability to weave away from his markers and his subtle and cool abilities when it comes to putting the ball in the back of the net. Such a joy to behold. Let’s hope and pray he stays in the Premier League come the new season in August because if he was to leave for Real Madrid this summer, then the English game will be losing a remarkable asset. Wonderful footballer. A worthy PFA Player of the Year winner.
Key Stat: Hazard has completed more through balls in the final third than any other Premier League player (78), and has scored more goals from a “fast break” or a counter attack with three.
Striker:
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
One of THE true greats of the game. I may have been a bit biased with this selection considering the fact that I am a United supporter but Zlatan Ibrahimovic has single handily carried United this season with an impressive 23 goals to his name. At 35 years of age, the Swedish legend continues to defy his critics with his supernatural abilities and self-belief. Mourinho and United better hope he stays another year at Old Trafford if they have any hope of winning the Premier League title next term. A major influence on the likes of Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Paul Pogba. A born leader. I could have easily chosen Harry Kane, Romelu Lukaku or Alexis Sanchez but who can you trust more to lead your team from the front? Look no further than the great Zlatan. Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Key Stat: the Swede has directly been involved in nearly 50% of Manchester United’s goals this season at the age of 35.
By Anthony Onifade.
anthonyscouts.co.uk 