There’s no room for Arsenal or Man City in my All-Star XI
PLAYERS around the country will be casting their votes for the Premier League team of the season – and their All Star XI will be revealed next month.
Picking your side, when you can’t select your own team-mates, is always a good talking point in the dressing room.
If I was still playing, here’s who would be getting my votes on the PFA forms circulated among the clubs.
Apologies to Arsenal and Manchester City fans, but I can’t find room for any of your players this year – although either club could still win the FA Cup. Maybe that’s a reflection on a season which hasn’t quite lived up to expectation at the Emirates and the Etihad.
If you want to send me your alternative team of the season, by all means tweet me @RobbieSavage8 using the hashtag #TeamOfSeason – but in the meantime, don’t all rush at once to agree with my 4-3-3 formation and personnel...
GOALKEEPER:
KASPER SCHMEICHEL (Leicester) – With honourable mentions for Burnley’s Tom Heaton, who has forced his way into the England squad through sheer consistency, Stoke’s Lee Grant and Hugo Lloris at Tottenham, it’s got to be Schmeichel.
Not only is he the sole Leicester player who has lived up to last season’s title miracle, I would argue he is the main reason why they have made it to the Champions League quarter-finals and managed to stay out of the relegation zone.
His twin penalty saves against Sevilla, and last-gasp saves home and away against Copenhagen, made a huge difference in Europe. And that injury-time stop to foil Andy Carroll at West Ham last weekend was out of this world.
Schmeichel is not just the best keeper in the Premier League on form – he is now in Europe’s very top bracket.
RIGHT-BACK:
ANTONIO VALENCIA United) – With respect (Manchesterto Kyle Walker, whose mobility down the right side has been a huge asset to Tottenham, Valencia’s improvement has been startling.
Some wingers cope better than others when they are converted from out-and-out attacking wide players to full-backs. United have tried several players at right-back in the last three seasons, but none has looked as proficient there as Valencia.
CENTRE-BACK:
MICHAEL KEANE (Burnley) – Not many youngsters who are released by Manchester United go on to become England internationals, but I suspect Keane’s debut against Germany in midweek will be the first cap of many. Commanding in the air, and decent on the deck for a big lad, he has been a rock at Turf Moor – and a big reason why their home Premier League record has been so impressive.
The big problem for Burnley, now he has gained deserved international recognition, will be keeping hold of him. I suspect big clubs are going to come calling for him this summer.
CENTRE-BACK:
DAVID LUIZ cut simply because (Chelsea) he – has He proved makes so the many people wrong, including me. When Chelsea brought him back to Stamford Bridge from Paris SaintGermain – for a tidy profit, I might add – everyone thought he was an accident waiting to happen. But he has hardly made a mistake. Gary Cahill and Cesar Azpilicueta have been solid, too, but Luiz has been a revelation. I tip my hat to him, mainly because I thought it would end in tears, not 10 points clear at the top.
LEFT-BACK:
MARCOS ALONSO (Chelsea) – James Milner is also highly commended in this category, and comes a close second because he has looked to the manner born at left-back, not a utility player filling in because of his versatility. But Alonso has provided width, goals, attacking threat and class to Chelsea’s unstoppable surge towards the chequered flag.
Like Luiz, I wasn’t at all sure about him – after all, he didn’t pull up any trees at Sunderland or Bolton during his previous stints in English football. And, like Luiz, he has proved many of us wrong.
I know he’s been used as a wingback by Antonio Conte, but he fits into my side at left-back.
CENTRE MIDFIELD:
N’GOLO KANTE (Chelsea) – As discussed in my column last week, it is no coincidence he is about to win the title in consecutive seasons with different clubs. An absolute beast as minder to Leicester’s back four last year and in Chelsea’s 3-4-3 system this term.
LEFT MIDFIELD:
ADAM LALLANA (Liverpool) – Technically, he brings quality and his intelligent movement, especially his willingness to run in behind defenders, suits Liverpool’s pressing and rotation along the front line. His pace surprised me the other night, when he ran half the length of the pitch and hit a post in England’s 1-0 defeat by Germany. They couldn’t catch him.
He has scored 10 times for club and country this season, a significant upgrade on just four Premier League goals last year, but he has not hit the target since December 27. If he maintained a consistent goal threat, he would be just about the complete package.
RIGHT MIDFIELD:
DELE ALLI (Tottenham) – Apart from his finishing, he was the best player on the pitch in Dortmund on Wednesday night. I believe Alli (above) will be the next Gareth Bale – English football’s next big-money move to one of Europe’s richest clubs, like Barcelona or Real Madrid.
It’s incredible to think Spurs paid only £5million for him a couple of years ago, because he’s already worth 15 times as much, and his value is rising fast.
LEFT WING:
EDEN HAZARD (Chelsea) – Lots of Chelsea fans reckon he is their player of the season, not Kante, and there is no disputing his contribution: 12 goals, plus assists, and he has been as much a joy to watch as he was a crushing disappointment last year. I love the way he spins away from defenders, even when tightly-marked, and it’s good to see him back on song after his mysterious dip in form in the previous campaign.
RIGHT WING:
SADIO MANE (Liverpool) – Many of us thought Liverpool would miss Philippe Coutinho when he was injured in December, but their biggest drawback by far this season was Mane’s absence for a month when he was on Africa Cup of Nations duty.
Mane’s movement, interchange of positions with Coutinho, Lallana and Roberto Firmino, and eye for goal have been huge assets. Before Christmas, I thought he might even fire Liverpool to their first title in 27 years – but they still have a fighting chance of a top-four finish, which would be no mean achievement.
CENTRE-FORWARD:
ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC (Manchester
United) – When I suggested United should sign Zlatan two years ago, I was absolutely slaughtered on social media. Modesty forbids me from saying I told you so, but the facts speak for themselves: 26 goals in all competitions says it all about his worth to the cause at Old Trafford.
And at 35, don’t give me any slush and nonsense about ‘resting’ players – Ibrahimovic has done more than most to expose the myth of footballers suffering from fatigue. He wants to play every week for a reason... because he is fit enough, and good enough, to do so at this level.
MANAGER OF THE SEASON:
ANTONIO CONTE (Chelsea) – To abandon one system two months into the season, and adopt the one he favoured before, was a stunning admission that Chelsea’s flat back four wasn’t working. If they had started the season playing three at the back, Chelsea would probably already have won the title and paraded around town in their opentopped bus. It’s only a matter of time... An honourable mention for Tony Pulis, whose more expansive approach at West Brom has been a breath of fresh air, not to mention one in the eye for critics who thought he was a one-trick pony favouring long balls, set-pieces and attrition. It’s probably not going to happen, but it would be very interesting to see what he could do at a top-four club.
PLAYER OF THE SEASON:
N’Golo Kante.
YOUNG PLAYER OF THE SEASON:
Dele Alli.