Plenty of goals in my team of the season!
(SORRY MO, I FEEL AWFUL)
IT’S the time of year when individual awards are presented and this week’s column is a celebration of the players who have produced consistent excellence.
This wasn’t easy. I changed my mind several times before I was able to produce my ultimate XI for the campaign, which has a heavy Liverpool and Manchester city influence and will certainly not struggle for goals! Apologies in advance to those who did not make the cut.
GOALKEEPER Alisson Becker, Liverpool
MY old club have had issues in this department for a long time and lacked high-class consistency since the days of Pepe reina. There was a lot of pressure on Alisson but he’s been so good. I love david de Gea and ederson but Alisson has had the edge. A proper goalkeeper.
DEFENCE Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Crystal Palace
I noticed roy Hodgson said he rarely dips below eight out of 10 and that is quite a statement to make about someone who is only 21. I watched him on the opening day when Palace beat Fulham 2-0 and followed him closely, a solid defender who flies forward.
Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool
MY Player of the Season. It is rare for a centre half to be so influential but the transformation that Liverpool have experienced since he has been at the club is incredible. It’s like he has had an impact on everyone around him. You can count his mistakes on one hand.
Aymeric Laporte, Manchester City
THere are times when you watch Pep Guardiola’s team and think they could play without defenders. In Laporte, though, they have one of the very best. He is not a tough man but he is calm and composed and never panics under pressure. A class act.
Andrew Robertson, Liverpool
He has become someone I just enjoy watching play. He is so energetic, bombing up and down the left, and he is the best in his position in the Premier League. With Liverpool having Trent Alexander-Arnold on the other flank, they are blessed out wide.
MIDFIELD Eden Hazard, Chelsea
I devoted last week’s column to him and I fear this will be the last time I get to pick him for my team. He made a breathtaking start to the season and chelsea need to hope they finish in the top four or win the europa League to ensure he stays at the club.
Christian Eriksen, Tottenham
IT has been a hard year for Spurs, with big injuries for Harry Kane and dele Alli, but the dane is a reason they have a chance to reach the champions League final and are still on course to finish in the top four. He has taken responsibility and thrived.
Raheem Sterling, Manchester City
coMe of age this year as a player and a man, handling horrible situations at chelsea and in Montenegro with absolute class. He is now a dead-eyed finisher and arguably england’s most important performer. A certainty to win the PFA Young Player award.
FORWARDS Sadio Mane, Liverpool
He goes under the radar but I saw at first hand in March, when Burnley played at Anfield, how good he is. Strong and quick, a goalscorer and a creator, there is an argument to say he is Jurgen Klopp’s most important forward. He is unplayable at times.
Sergio Aguero, Manchester City
do we appreciate how good he has been over the past eight years? I’m not sure. He is clockwork consistent, whose place in the Premier League’s all-time top three is now secure. To be within range of Alan Shearer and Wayne rooney in the 200 club is off the scale.
Son Heung-min, Tottenham
He is one of those forwards who has changed the game; a relentless runner with such brilliance and pace. He can score, too, as he showed at Manchester city on Wednesday. He has stepped up for his team and is a serious player.
SUBSTITUTES
Ederson (GK) Mohamed Salah Trent Alexander-Arnold Harry Kane Bernardo Silva Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang David Silva I FeLT terrible leaving out Salah, whose form in the past couple of weeks has gone up a level, and Bernardo Silva in particular but it is not a slight on their efforts. We have been fortunate to witness some amazing football over the past eight months. I look forward to reading your selections on Mailonline.