Hard to believe but the Premier League season is almost over. Where has the time gone? Feels like only yesterday José Mourinho was happy. Anyway, with the home stretch in sight, I’ve picked a Premier League XI of the season so far.
My choices are sure to cause shock, horror and outrage but before the frothing commences let me make something clear: the team below are not made up of the 11 best players in their respective positions. Some are but others are players who have performed notably above expectation – individually or within a partnership/unit – and therefore are worthy of recognition. This also means there is a whacking great omission, one bordering on a national scandal, but I don’t care – I stand by my choices.
Goalkeeper: Ederson (Manchester City)
David de Gea has kept the most clean sheets. David de Gea has made the most eye-catching saves. David de Gea is the best goalkeeper in the Premier League, if not the world. But David de Gea doesn’t make this team because, across town, a 24-year-old Brazilian has made an incredible impact. Not much was known about Ederson when he arrived at Manchester City in June but he has gone on to impress with his shot stopping, decision making and unreal distribution. And anyone who says it is easy being City’s goalkeeper, I have two words for you: Claudio Bravo.
Right back: Kyle Walker (Manchester City)
There’s no escaping it: £53m is a jaw-dropping amount to pay for a full-back. Equally, there’s no doubt Walker has proven to be a worthwhile acquisition for City, providing the width and penetration Pep Guardiola demands from his wide defenders, as well as being better defensively than his critics suggest. He is England’s best right-back and probably the Premier League’s too.
Centre back: James Tarkowski (Burnley)
Patience is a virtue and, in some cases, the way you break into the England squad a few months before the World Cup. This time last year no one would have predicted Tarkowski would be in Gareth Southgate’s plans but that is where the 25-year-old finds himself having bided his time at Burnley and, following Michael Keane’s move to Everton, taken his chance, impressing with his distribution and defensive capabilities. Yes, Tarkowski performed nervously in midweek, and , but it was his debut and at club level he has been consistently excellent. His inclusion in this team should also be viewed within the context of the person he is deployed alongside …
Centre back: Ben Mee (Burnley)
Only three players have made more clearances this season than Mee and, at Burnley, only one player has completed more minutes. The 28-year-old has been a model of consistent excellence and, alongside Tarkowski, the bedrock of a side who have conceded a measly 26 goals in 30 games. As a centre-back partnership, Tarkowski and Mee are hard to beat and the latter’s presence also provides the giggling joy of hearing commentators say things like: “Great header by Mee.”
Left back: Andrew Robertson (Liverpool)
Any Liverpool supporter who says they weren’t underwhelmed by the club’s £8m purchase of Robertson from Hull in July is a liar. Fast forward eight months and most of them are singing his praises as well as his name. Robertson has been a revelation since stepping in for the injured Alberto Moreno in December, catching the eye with his crossing ability as well as with his work rate and defensive skills. The 24-year-old has been one of the bargains of the season and ended Liverpool’s decades-long problems at left-back.
Defensive midfield: Abdoulaye Doucouré (Watford)
If you haven’t seen Doucouré play in the flesh, you should. He’s excellent. A marauding, hard-working and clever presence who is the main reason Watford have avoided sliding into relegation trouble. Oh, and he is also their top scorer with seven goals. The Frenchman is the full package and, aged 25, young enough to get even better. Watford supporters won’t want to hear it but Doucouré is unlikely to remain at Vicarage Road for much longer; sooner rather than later the big boys will come calling.
Centre midfield: Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)
No player has provided more assists this season and when City wrap up the title it will be De Bruyne who, Guardiola aside, receives the most individual recognition for the success. Quite rightly too: the Belgian has been supreme, featuring in every one of City’s 30 fixtures so far and, in practically every one, bamboozling the opposition with skill, strength and imagination. The 26-year-old is a Ballon d’Or winner in the making.
Centre midfield: David Silva (Manchester City)
Alongside De Bruyne, Silva has formed an irresistible inside-forward partnership. One minute they’re there, the next they’re not; one minute they’re passing the ball side to side, the next they’re threading it into the heart of danger. Nobody had been able to tame the City duo and while De Bruyne has grabbed more headlines it is arguably Silva who has drawn more appreciation. Aged 32 and in his eight season at City, the Spaniard remains a gorgeous blend of composure and devastation. We’ll miss him when he’s gone.
Right-sided forward: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Never has spending £36.9m on a footballer looked such good business. Frankly it’s peanuts when you consider what Salah has achieved at Anfield since arriving from Roma in June – 28 goals and 10 assists in 30 games, with some of his best moments breathtaking. The goals against Everton and Manchester City at home, the volley at Stoke and, most recently, the four-goal demolition of Watford that Miguel Britos may never recover from. Salah is not just the signing of the season; he is the player of the season, too.
Left-sided forward: Son Heung-min (Tottenham)
This selection came down to a straight fight between Leroy Sané and Son – and Son won because, quite simply, I love him. That smile, that chuckle, that positive style of play – it’s all there and, having scored 12 goals and provided four assists in 29 appearances, the South Korean is arguably the most improved player in the Premier League. It say much that Son’s place in Tottenham’s starting lineup is pretty much nailed-on and in this tightest of battles for a top-four place, he could well end up making the difference.
Centre forward: Roberto Firmino (Liverpool)
Cue the fury, especially around Wembley Way. No Tottenham fans, I haven’t forgotten about Harry Kane, and with 24 goals in 29 appearances he is an obvious candidate for the centre-forward role. But here’s the thing; the best frontline in the Premier League this season has been Liverpool’s – in term of goals, combination and spectacle – and fundamental to that has been Firmino. The Brazilian is redefining the No9 position with his combination of movement, work rate, link play, assists and goals, and he would be an undoubted asset to this side. He’d also get the best out of Salah, and Son would enjoy playing alongside him, too.
The Guardian Sport
