Predictably it was the star names from the biggest clubs who hoovered up all the meaningful awards at this season’s close but as always we have also admired individual excellence performed throughout the year by players beyond the ‘top six’. Their consistency has admittedly not gone unrecognized in recent weeks but perhaps equally they have not been heralded to the extent that they deserve. To partly rectify that here is a XI of 2017/18 from those who have played for all but the Champions League challengers.
Set up as a 4-3-3 there are no explanations necessary beyond the absence of full-backs. At a time when some are questioning the overall standard of defending in the Premier League it is noteworthy how many centre-backs have bossed it this year and even the inclusion of four resulted in unfair omissions for Newcastle’s Jamaal Lascelles and Crystal Palace’s James Tomkins.
GK – Nick Pope (Burnley)
Last September the 26-year-old was the Clarets’ second string keeper and an obscure figure in the Premier League fraternity. Eight months on and he has edged out 75-cap Joe Hart for a World Cup squad place.
As we pointed out in January, Pope’s ascendency has been Rocky with gloves and a series of impressive displays – including a steady showing on his full debut at Anfield – has seen the stopper’s stock rise and rise.
Jordan Pickford and Southampton’s Alex McCarthy were unfortunate to miss out but really there was only ever one choice for our number one.
RB – Nathan Ake (Bournemouth)
Out of position here by virtue of being the most versatile of our four centre-backs Ake has accelerated his development this season at a rate of knots.
The Dutch international monopolised the end-of-year awards on the south coast after being a model of consistency at the back and so much has his stature grown of late that Antonio Conte’s dig last July insinuating that the 23 year was ‘too impatient’ is starting to look very silly indeed.
CB – Christopher Schindler (Huddersfield)
After garnering an enormous 57% of the vote for Town’s Player of the Year and being named the Player’s Player of the Year into the bargain it is fair to suggest that the former German under 21 international is highly treasured in West Yorkshire.
It is also reasonable to claim that without Schindler’s commanding presence and positional nous the Terriers would now be preparing for a return to the Championship.
CB – James Tarkowski (Burnley)
There is something All About Eve about Tarkowski’s emergence as a rock-solid defensive unit for Burnley while the club’s former linchpin Michael Keane sees his reputation flounder at Goodison Park. This time last year Keane was the star of Sean Dyche’s masterful production of ‘Shut Out’. Now it’s his understudy who is taking all the plaudits and finding himself on the cusp of England honours.
There is no belittlement in saying that Tarkowski is a throwback to the no-nonsense defending of yesteryear. He puts his body on the line, contests every ball, and ruins afternoons for the world’s best strikers. It is reassuring that the game still has a place for his ilk when its enacted so astutely.
LB – Harry Maguire (Leicester City)
Two years ago Maguire was watching England at Euro 2016 with his mates. Now he’s competing for a starting spot alongside his international team-mates.
It’s been a steady trajectory for the strapping Yorkshireman after breaking through at Sheffield United before establishing himself as a defender of genuine class at Hull with leadership qualities to boot.
Indeed so obvious was his calibre it surprised that none of the traditional ‘big six’ took the plunge when the Tigers went down last summer. They’re certainly playing catch-up now with serious interest rumoured from both Manchester giants.
Mid – Abdoulaye Doucoure (Watford)
Signed in 2016 then immediately loaned out to Granada the Frenchman has commanded attention this season with one imperious showing after another.
In possession he is an artful passer of the ball with no shortage of skill in tight areas. Elsewhere he is Terminator-like in his tenacity, winning back possession in the midfield third more than any other player in the Premier League.
Spurs and Liverpool reportedly lead the chase for the ‘new Vieira’s signature this summer.
Mid – Jonjo Shelvey (Newcastle)
His omission from the World Cup squad continues to perplex given that Shelvey is one of the very few homegrown talents capable of dissecting the opposition from deep with a single pass.
If it does indeed stem from his refusal in 2015 to drop down to the under 21s from the senior squad (no prizes for guessing who the under 21 coach was at the time) then it’s potentially to the nation’s detriment because having shed his reputation for ill-discipline the former Liverpool midfielder is mining a rich vein of form at present.
Mid – Pascal Gross (Brighton)
Tipped by many to be the signing of last summer after carving out more chances than any other player in the Bundesliga in 2016/17 the German hasn’t disappointed with seven goals and eight assists along with a good number of authoritative outings.
The £3m paid by the Seagulls makes a mockery of the current climate.
Attack – Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace)
The stats are suitably splendid and are especially impressive from a wide player for a team who has spent much of the season fighting the odds. Nine goals. Three assists from eight big chances created.
The figures though don’t come close to matching what we’ve witnessed with our own eyes as Zaha has absorbed the responsibility of being the main man at Selhurst Park and risen brilliantly to the challenge.
Arguably second only to Manchester City’s Leroy Sane in the threat he provides from wide areas it is no coincidence that Palace didn’t win a single game that he didn’t start in.
Attack – Marko Arnautovic (West Ham)
The imposing Austrian has been a rare cause for celebration in an otherwise frustrating campaign for the Hammers and goodness knows where they would be without his eleven goals, six assists and all-round influential, committed performances.
There was never any doubting the 29-year-old’s ability but always concerns lingered on his application and attitude. That is no longer the case as he thrives on the relentless drama played out in the London Stadium.
Attack – Jamie Vardy (Leicester)
The form of his team-mates may have slipped from the heady peaks of 2016 but Vardy remains top of the league scoring over a third of his side’s goals this term and once again breaking the magical twenty mark.
Frankly, the Albert Steptoe lookalike deserves his inclusion purely for his volleyed wonder-goal against West Brom last March; a strike that left all who saw it dumb-founded.
