The PFA team of the year was announced last night and Liverpool dominated it with five players in the team!
On Tuesday night, the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Team Of The Season was announced. Unlike the years before, there was no awards evening.
Each player in the Premier League will have been asked to choose their team of the season, as well as their player and young player of the year. The current record for the most appearances in the team of the year is heald by Steven Gerrard who has been selected eight times.
We’re going to take a look at the PFA Team Of The Season and why each of the players will have been select.
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Goalkeeper – Nick Pope (Burnley) – First Appearance
This was a fantastic year for Nick Pope and one that will put him in contention for a place in the England team. He finished the season on 15 cleans, only to be beaten by Ederson on the final day who got 16. This is a great achievement from Pope considering he side finished tenth in the league and arent one of the top sides in England. On top of this, he made the fourth-most saves and this was a thoroughly deserved place in the side.
Defence – Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool) – Second Appearance
The PFA Young Player Of The Year was always going to be in the Team Of The Year. He helped guide his side to their first Premier League title with 13 assists and four goals. Trent also got himself 12 clean sheets over the year. He is pivotal to the way Liverpool play and also contributed with the most crosses in the league, 382, which helped his side cruise to a Premier League title.
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Defence – Çağlar Söyüncü (Leicester City) – First Appearance
This was Söyüncü’s first proper season at Leicester where he would be a starting centre-back. He had big boots to fill with the departure of Harry Maguire but he did it fantastically. Söyüncü contributed to 12 clean sheets this season and even managed to get himself on the score sheet. He was a huge miss to his side when he got a red card missing the last three games of the season.
Defence – Virgil Van Dijk (Liverpool) – Second Appearance
For as long as he’s playing in the Premier League you will expect Van Dijk to be in the Team Of The Year. He was again brilliant for Liverpool and the best defender in the league by a long way. Van Dijk got 15 clean sheets this season and even chipped in with five goals. Van Dijk also played every minute, as well as completing the most passes, 3,259, 680 more than Rodrigo in second place. He really is one of the best defenders to play in the Premier League. Van Dijk is 20/1 with Paddy Power to go and regain his PFA Player Of The Year award next season.
Defence – Andy Robertson (Liverpool) – Second Appearance
Another defender and another Liverpool player. Robertson, like Trent, was brilliant again this season and is key to Klopp’s style of play. He got nine clean sheets and 12 assists, which is a very good return. What’s so impressive about Robertson is his energy. He gets up and down the pitch all game and doesn’t stop.
Midfield – Jordan Henderson (Liverpool) – First Appearance
Many were tipping Henderson to win the PFA Player Of The Year award. This was his best year in a Liverpool shirt and was unlucky to miss out on the award. Henderson got four goals and five assists but it was the rest of his game that was so good. He controlled the midfield and made Liverpool a very hard team to play against. When he didn’t play, Liverpool lost two and drew one in three games, highlighting his importance to the team.
Midfield – David Silva (Man City) – Second Appearance
This was Silva’s last season in the Premier League which may explain his inclusion in the team. He got six goals and ten assists this season which is still a good return. Silva has been a fantastically player, not just for Man City but for the Premier League. Being in the Team Of The Year was a fitting way for him to leave the Premer League.
Midfield – Kevin De Bruyne (Man City) – Second Appearance
The PFA Player Of The Year was unbelievable this season. He scored 13 goals and equalled the record of Thierry Henry to get 20 assists in one season. Even though Man City were below par this season De Bruyne was not. He hit the woodwork the most as well as make the most through balls. De Bruyne was a joy to watch this season and we hope to see the same again next season. De Bruyne is the favourite to win the award again next season, priced at 5/1 on Paddy Power.
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Forward – Sadio Mane (Liverpool) – Third Appearance
Another season and another Team Of The Year appearance for Sadio Mane. He was one of Liverpool best players this year contributing with 18 goals and seven assists. Mane how now established himself as one of the best wingers in the world and his lighting pace causes any defence issues. He is so important to Liverpool and came up with many big goals in big games this season. If Mane can pick up his numbers slightly next season he could be worth backing at 20/1 to win the PFA Player Of The Year.
Forward – Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Arsenal) – First Appearance
After finishing joint-top goalscorer last season, many wondered why Aubameyang wasn’t in the Team Of The Year last season. This year he had another good season in front of goal, getting 22 for himself and giving three assists. He is now the captain of Arsenal and easily their most important player. At the age of 31, he shows no sign of stopping and will be back amongst the goals next season.
Forward – Jamie Vardy (Leicester City) – Second Appearance
Vardy had his best year for Leicester and won his first Golden Boot with 23 goals. At the age of 33, this is very impressive and he still has that turn of pace. He went on an eight-game scoring streak where he got 12 goals and was looking to break his own record of scoring in 11 consecutive games.
Notable absentees;
Salah – 19 goals and 10 assists. Somehow Salah was once again not in the Team Of The Season after have a great year.
Bruno – 8 goals and 7 assists. Bruno played just 14 games so next year he may well be in the team.
Ings – 22 goals and 2 assists. The shock of the season was the Southampton striker who refound his form after a tough time at Liverpool.
Tarkowski – 15 cleans sheets. The centre-back got one less clean sheet than Van Dijk as well as the most clearances.
