The PFA Team of the Year has been announced and it has been dominated by the top two teams in the Premier League, Man City and Liverpool. Ten of the 11 players selected are from the top two clubs with the only anomaly coming bizarrely in the form of Manchester United’s Paul Pogba. There’s no way he should be in that eleven and we have come up with our alternative PFA Team of the Year, featuring no players from the top two teams in the Premier League.
GK - Neil Etheridge (Cardiff)
Neil Etheridge will be one of the main reasons Cardiff City stay up, if Neil Warnock can work his magic and produce an escape over the final three games. The Bluebirds would be long gone if it hadn’t been for their Filipino goalkeeper who has made a record three penalty saves this season, kept eight clean sheets and made 120 saves, the second most in the division.
Just missing out: Lukasz Fabianski (West Ham)
RB - Matt Doherty (Wolves)
It would be quite easy to pack this team with Wolves players after their remarkable season since promotion to the Premier League but we have kept it sensible. One man who certainly deserves his place is right wing-back Matt Doherty who has been a must have for Fantasy Football players this season. Four goals and four assists along with six clean sheets this season have made him one of the standout defenders in the league and he is a mainstay of a quality Wolves outfit.
Just missing out: Aaron Wan-Bissaka (Crystal Palace)
CB - Toby Alderweireld (Tottenham)
Despite the ongoing uncertainty about his long term future Toby Alderweireld has been excellent again this season. He has been part of a Spurs side who have conceded just 35 goals this season and look certain to finish in the top four. They have also enjoyed success in the Champions League while Alderweireld has kept 11 clean sheets in the league this season, a pivotal factor in Spurs’ success.
Just missing out: Sokratis (Arsenal)
CB - Conor Coady (Wolves)
Captain of one of the most impressive sides in the division this season, Conor Coady has been rock solid in the middle of the back three for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side. Against the top six, Wolves have been simply incredible and if they can pick up their form against the rest of the division next year they could be in with a shot of breaking into that big six. Coady is the calm influence and leader at the back, deserving of his spot in this team.
Just missing out: James Tarkowski (Burnley)
LB - Lucas Digne (Everton)
Everton’s best player this season has been their summer signing from Barcelona, Lucas Digne. The Frenchman came to Merseyside with a CV that could match most players in Europe but he has established himself this season as one of the finest left backs in the league. Replacing Leighton Baines looked like a tough task for anyone a few years ago, but Digne has come in and filled his shoes magnificently.
Just missing out: Jonny (Wolves)
CM - Etienne Capoue (Watford)
Watford deserve some credit for the season they have had under Javi Gracia, a man many tipped for the sack at the start of the season. Instead, they are playing exciting football, have a chance of Europe next season and are in the FA Cup Final! Their midfield has been crucial to their success and although Abdoulaye Doucoure is attracting attention from big clubs, former Spurs man Etienne Capoue has been outstanding this season.
Just missing out: Declan Rice (West Ham)
CM - Moussa Sissoko (Tottenham)
Who would have predicted the turnaround that Moussa Sissoko has had this season. When Moussa Dembele left in January many Tottenham fans believed their midfield would be overrun, given the lack of strength and pace in the middle. Step forward Sissoko. The man who was written off as a flop has made the central midfield position his own and is now a dominant figure in the centre of the park.
Just missing out: Joao Moutinho (Wolves)
CAM - James Maddison (Leicester)
Leicester’s James Maddison has taken to the Premier League like a duck to water and shone in what has been an indifferent season for the Foxes. Despite often being played out of position under Claude Puel, he has created more chances (94) than any other player in the Premier League this season and he is second on that list in the whole of Europe. For a debut season it has been great for Maddison whilst under Brendan Rodgers he can flourish next season.
Just missing out: Christian Eriksen (Spurs)
RW - Son Heung-Min (Tottenham)
Tottenham’s player of the season this year. Son Heung-Min has been pivotal to their success and stepped up to the plate in the absence of main man Harry Kane. 12 league goals and six assists, often in big games, Son has been huge for Mauricio Pochettino this season and established himself as one of the top forwards in the Premier League.
Just missing out: David Brooks (Bournemouth)
ST - Raul Jimenez (Wolves)
Tough one for the centre forward spot. Raul Jimenez has been a revelation for Wolves - impressing so much that they splashed out £30m to make his loan deal a permanent one. His 12 goals this season is a decent return but he is simply pivotal to Wolves’ system. Battering all of the top six, he could be an outside shout for the Golden Boot next season.
Just missing out: Jamie Vardy (Leicester)
LW - Eden Hazard (Chelsea)
The biggest omission from the official PFA Team of the Season. He has bagged 16 goals and 13 assists this season, his greatest return in a Premier League season. That goal contribution puts him above Sergio Aguero, Raheem Sterling and Mo Salah this season and his individual contribution in a poor Chelsea side has been outstanding.
Just missing out: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Arsenal)
