2020 has been a whirlwind year in the Premier League, especially after the lockdown measures as a result of the coronavirus bringing things to a halt from March right through to June. However, despite the difficulties, the English top-flight has still provided plenty for fans to shout about and its that time of year where we start to reminisce on what has been a crazy calendar year as well as which footballers have stood out throughout 2020.
So without further ado, with a few surprises and probable controversial picks, here is my Barclays Premier League team of 2020:
GK:
ALISSON BECKER, Liverpool
Liverpool under the stewardship of Jurgen Klopp enjoyed a remarkable year in which they claimed back a Premier League title which eluded them for all of 30 years, and special thanks for such a tremendous feat will have to partly be given to Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson Becker who has completely transformed Liverpool’s defending the past year. Certainly, Virgil Van Dijk and co have proven a steady rock in front of him, but when they have been breached, its Alisson has proven such a rock and a superb last line of defence, pulling off some stupendous saves when Liverpool have needed it most. Alisson is more than just your average goalkeeper, one who is also capable of building Liverpool’s attacks from defence but also coming off his line just in time to halt attacks that have bypassed Liverpool’s high-line.
Alisson this year has been the best goalkeeper without a shadow of a doubt. The complete package, the complete goalkeeper.
Defence:
Right Back:
TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD, Liverpool
You’d be hard-pressed to find a right-back in all of Europe who holds the same weaponry Trent Alexander-Arnold does, and that’s got to make him arguably the best full-back going forward in Europe. Since the start of last season in the Premier League, Trent Alexander-Arnold has provided 15 assists for his teammates, a remarkable feat for a player who has grown considerably this past year. A footballer who has picked up a reputation for putting in some of the most delicious deliveries you’ll ever see, and a player capable of some tremendous cross field passes, a feature that has seen him form the most formidable full-back partnership with another player on this list, Andy Robertson.
It’s crazy to think that Alexander-Arnold is only 22 and still has so much to offer both for club and country. Don’t be surprised to seek the full-back take up a permanent midfield role in the foreseeable future. He’s certainly got the tools in his locker to thrive there.
Centre-Backs:
VIRGIL VAN DIJK, Liverpool
The rock, heartbeat, anchor and most of all the leader of this inspirational Liverpool team. It’s such a shame we may not get to see Virgil Van Dijk until the end of this current campaign, but my oh my what a year the centre-back has had. Arguably the best centre-back in the world and his rapid rise to get there considering the journey he’s taken is truly pleasing to see. Virgil van Dijk has got the lot, everything thing you’d want in your modern day centre-back. Power, strength, vision, astute reading of the game, positional understanding, leadership, you name it. Hopefully, the Dutch captain comes back much much stronger than he was before, or we’ll be looking at one of the finest centre-backs ever to step foot on the football pitch, if he isn’t already. You simply cannot put it past him.
FABINHO, Liverpool
In a matter of months, after long-term injuries to Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez, Brazillian midfielder Fabinho has gone from being the best defensive midfielder in the Premier League to the best centre-back right now. Many thought after those long-term injuries, Liverpool won’t be the same commanding force at the back, but boy are they wrong. Liverpool have maintained such impressive and solid consistency levels in defence because of Fabinho’s defensive understanding and intelligence and its because of his incredible consistency levels, that he makes my team of the week. The Brazillian is unstoppable where-ever role he is asked to perform, a dominant machine as well as a player so calm, assured and meticulous when in possession. Without a shadow of a doubt, Fabinho has got to be one Jurgen Klopp’s finest acquisitions during his Liverpool tenure.
Left-Back:
ANDY ROBERTSON, Liverpool
Left-Back Andy Robertson completes an impressive Liverpool back-five in my team of the season and rightly so. The Scottish defender’s growth, maturity, performance levels and consistency this past year has been nothing short of remarkable. He’s got to be the best left-back in Europe right now. Every single game, week-in and week-out, Robertson has performed to the best of his ability no matter the opposition and deserves much of the praise coming his way. He’s as good as defending and forming a solid base in defence as he is marauding down the left-hand side delivering some peach crosses for his forwards. Robertson has undergone a tremendous 2020, also achieving an unprecedented Euro 2020 finals spot with Scotland for next year. He’s been so good, you’d struggle to find a game where he’s failed to make his mark, its a testament to his high levels of performance, and fitness. The complete left-back.
From a Hull youngster a few years back to becoming one of the world’s best, the perfect rise for any footballer.
Midfield:
DECLAN RICE, West Ham
Ever since David Moyes joined West Ham last season, Declan Rice’s true undeniable talents in midfield have been brought to the fore, making him arguably England’s finest defensive midfielder currently. He’s also an established international under Gareth Southgate and its rightly deserved. Yes, many will say why isn’t Jordan Henderson on this list but you don’t want your team of the year to be infested with Liverpool players, even though Henderson has enjoyed a tremendous year leading Liverpool back to Premier League glory after so long.
However, I couldn’t ignore Declan Rice’s performances. The 21-year-old’s growth and maturity this year has intriguingly coincided with West Ham’s resurgence under David Moyes and Rice has been at the epi-centre of everything good about West Ham this past year. They’ve got a settled and trusted system and the players are all playing for the shirts once again. Declan Rice has been a leader among men, putting in some dominant and superb performances alongside Tomas Soucek. Whether he joins Chelsea or not in the foreseeable future, Declan Rice holds such a bright future in the game.
KEVIN DE BRUYNE, Manchester City
Need we say more on the astonishing abilities of one of the Premier League’s greatest foreign imports? Kevin De Bruyne has enjoyed another tremendous calendar year in 2020, despite Manchester City’s domestic and European shortcomings. Deserved winner of the 2020 PFA Player of the Year Gong and a consistent performer all throughout for Pep Guardiola and Manchester City. Mr Reliable. 20 assists last season in the Premier League surpassing the record for most assists in a Premier League season, and already has 7 to his name in 12 Premier League games. Kevin De Bruyne is a master of the creative arts and its no wonder why he continues to shine through for City every single game. His vision, the outrageous passing, and his continuous leadership on the pitch means the Belgian is a shoe-in for everyone’s team of the year for 2020.
BRUNO FERNANDES, Manchester United
Ever since his move to Old Trafford from Sporting Lisbon in January, the Portuguese magnifico Bruno Fernandes has been involved in 32 goals in 29 games (18 goals, 14 assists) highlighting an incredible 2020, helping Manchester United to a third place last season, and he’s already aiding Manchester United’s stark progress so far this season where they end the year second in the Premier League table a few points off Liverpool.
Bruno Fernandes is a difference maker. A true maestro. Already he’s been involved in 17 Premier League goals this season (10 goals, 7 assists). Manchester United have missed a player with Bruno Fernandes’ pedigree for so long in midfield and if the club continue to build around him for the near future, there’s no reason why the club cannot taste domestic and European glory once again. The impact he’s had on everyone around the club has been tremendous, a complete transformation in mentality, tenacious edge and expectations has all stemmed from the Portuguese midfielder’s influence. Manchester United would totally be lost without Bruno Fernandes. A truly remarkable footballer.
The best signing of 2020? You couldn’t argue against that.
Attack:
MOHAMMED SALAH, Liverpool
It is quite staggering that Mohammed Salah already has more Premier League goals than Cristiano Ronaldo (86) in just 121 appearances. Truly astonishing. Mohammed Salah continues and continues to break records in the Premier League, and despite being rule out because of COVID a few weeks back, he’s still managed to score 13 Premier League goals so far this season. He’s also the Premier League’s leading scorer in 2020, six more than anyone else. The Egyptian is a phenomenon. The desire, the will and ambition to be the best he can be is a testament to the 28-year-old and his consistency. 19 goals and 10 assists last season as Liverpool ended their 30-year wait for a Premier League title is simply outstanding meaning he is involved in everything in Liverpool’s attack. Some may call him greedy for going for goal on his own, but can you blame a player for wanting to win everything there is to win? He’s already achieved so much at Anfield, you can’t rule him out doing it again for a second successive year this season.
JACK GREALISH, Aston Villa
Yes, many will say why isn’t Sadio Mane in this team? But like for the Declan Rice pick, I can’t have a Liverpool-infested line up, or why didn’t Son Hueng-Min make the cut? Rightly so, but a player worthy of being mentioned here is Aston Villa’s main man, Jack Grealish who also has enjoyed a truly tremendous year at Villa Park.
You could argue the midfielder was the sole reason for Aston Villa’s escape from relegation last season and no one would bat an eyelid. This is a player destined for great things, the question is can he achieve that at Villa? Who knows.
Also, his long-awaited England international debut came this year and he simply cannot be ignored in becoming one of England’s key figures in the Euros next summer. Jack Grealish is a player blessed with such tremendous and unique qualities. The way he leads by example, takes the onus upon himself in leading Villa to victory. He’s also amongst the leading chance creators within Europe’s top five leagues too, a tremendous feat for a player improving with every passing game. Grealish has got everything in his locker and is truly deserving of his place in my team of the year. A joy to watch.
JAMIE VARDY, Leicester City
Again, some will say why isn’t Harry Kane on my list, and I agree, he should be but I’ve got to go for Jamie Vardy here simply because of his stupendous consistency in front of goal despite not getting any younger. Jamie Vardy is a 33-year-old playing like he’s 26. Leicester City’s hitman is a tremendous example to any young footballer out there that your dream never dies.
He’s even an example to any striker thinking their career ends after 30, that you can still continue to hit the pinnacle of your game if you work hard and apply yourself. Jamie Vardy has done just that and is still continuing to pull up trees for Brendan Rodgers at the King Power. 11 Premier League goals in 13 games so far this season after notching 23 goals last season winning the golden boot as Leicester City just missed out on a Champions League place on the last day of the season.
At 33 years of age, Vardy is showing no signs of slowing down playing in one of the most demanding competitions in the world. There’s been so many great strikers who have graced the Premier League, and Vardy has got to be amongst that prestigious list. Inspirational.
Wildcard Honorable Mentions:
YOURI TIELEMANS, Leicester City
A superb footballer. Youri Tielemans has quickly emerged as one of the Premier League’s most consistent and assured performers and deservedly so. It’s quite astonishing that most of his work still completely goes under the radar, but maybe its best that way. Tielemans certainly holds all the ingredients needed to cut it amongst Europe’s elite. If he can lead Leicester to such graces then he’s got to be handed more praise and acclaims than he’s currently given. Efficient in the middle, fantastic on the ball, 100% work rate in every match and a vision that few in the division would kill for. Youri Tielemans is the complete midfield package. A simply tremendous footballer.
DOMINIC CALVERT-LEWIN, Everton
Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s growth, maturity and improvements ever since Carlo Ancelotti arrived at Goodison Park has been nothing short of remarkable. If he carries on his current rich vein of form, there’s no reason why he can’t be on everyone’s team of the year for 2021. Calvert-Lewin has rapidly morphed into the complete striker in 2020, and already has 11 Premier League goals to his name this season. He’s also won his first international caps for England this year along with 2 goals. Is there nothing he can’t do right now? A definite wildcard honorable mention.
FRED, Manchester United
Fred has got to be one of the most improved footballers in the Premier League 2020. It wasn’t too long ago when he was getting criticized for his lack of quality and placing in the Manchester United side that many had written him off in being an established Premier League midfielder. Now he’s a key member of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s progressive Manchester United and amongst the best defensive-midfielders so far this season, and remarkably even in Europe. It goes to show, when you have the trust and confidence of the manager and players around, you’d go on to thrive and reach new levels of performances. Fred has achieved just that these past 12 months.
JAMES WARD-PROWSE, Southampton
There is more to James Ward-Prowse than just his free-kicks. And while his technique and execution at dead-ball situations is something to drool over. His all-round game and abilities transcends beyond all that. 2020 has seen the stark rise of Southampton as a unit under Ralph Hasenhüttl and Ward-Prowse has been a key figure in that remarkable rise. He’s also an established member in Gareth Southgate’s England squad which is a significant feat considering his journey to become one of the most standout performers in the English top-flight. A leader among men.
BUKAYO SAKA, Arsenal
Bukayo Saka has undergone a quite remarkable year at the top level of English football in 2020, both for club and country. Despite Arsenal’s current plight so far this season, Bukayo Saka has continued to show just why he has been earmarked for greatness in the future. This is an 19-year-old is currently playing his football with admirable consistency, tremendous bravery and unique confidence all while Arsenal are currently struggling to win any matches in the Premier League this campaign. The one true shining light in an otherwise tumultuous recession for the football club. If there is one player who could help transform the clubs fortunes its this wonderkid, but its too much pressure on his shoulders. When are others in the Arsenal team going to step up like Bukayo Saka?
DANNY INGS, Southampton
If you know what Danny Ings has been through throughout his career, then you’d appreciate his astonishing form throughout 2020. 22 goals scored in the Premier League last year is a brilliant return for a forward who’s always captured the imagination throughout his career while the unfortunate injuries have gotten the best of him in the past. A true penalty-box predator, Danny Ings has shown many what he’s about this year and reminded people why he’s got to be considered one of the best goal scorers in the division right now. I really do hope he rediscovers his best form again this season. Underrated just isn’t the word for him.
CONNOR COADY, Wolves
One of the best centre-backs in the whole division, and yet most people don’t name him amongst that list. It doesn’t do his abilities and leadership any justice. Conor Coady deserves some international acclaim, and its shown in the fact that he’s been one of the first names on the teamsheet for England the past 4 or 5 months. Wolves rely on him heavily. Nuno Espirito Santo relies on him, and I’m sure Gareth Southgate does too. A remarkable defender who continues to perform consistently under-the-radar. A born leader. Does he deserve better than Wolves?
SON HUENG-MIN, Tottenham
Son Hueng-Min isn’t a wildcard option but he does deserve a special mention. He’s been absolutely tremendous to watch this year. It’s pretty pleasing to see that people are finally starting to celebrate him for the player he is this season. He deserves to be in my team of the year, and if I was allowed a 12th man, Son Hueng-Min would be a shoe in for a place. A world-class performer and a player currently on top of his game, forming one of the most lethal partnerships we’ve ever seen with Harry Kane. 11 Premier League goals and 4 assists in 14 games so far this campaign. There is simply no end to Son Hueng-Min’s superb talents. He deserves trophies and honours, lets hope he delivers them this season.
anthonyscouts.co.uk 