Is this the Premier League Team of the Season?

Big names everywhere
Goalkeeper: Jordan Pickford
Right back: Benjamin White
Right centre back: William Saliba
Left centre back: Gabriel Magalhães
Left back: Manuel Akanji
Defensive midfield: Rodri
Midfield: Declan Rice
Midfield: Phil Foden
Left wing: Bukayo Saka
Centre forward: Ollie Watkins
Right wing: Cole Palmer
Backup goalkeeper: Emi Martinez
Defensive substitutes:
Attacking substitutes:
Player of the Season: Rodri
Big names everywhere

The Premier League is heading to its conclusion, so now it’s time to take a look at who will make our Premier League Team of the Season. We are basing this purely on our opinion, so feel free to disagree! All stats are provided by the Premier League website, unless otherwise stated.

Goalkeeper: Jordan Pickford

David Raya has won the Golden Glove award. Still, Jordan Pickford will finish the season in second place despite playing for an Everton side who have spent the season battling relegation (and points deductions). Pickford is a top-quality goalkeeper and has been for some time.

Right back: Benjamin White

When Arsenal signed White for £50 million (€58 million/$63 million) many fans mocked the decision, since then, he has gone from centre-back, to defensive right-back, to a key cog in Arsenal’s right-sided build-up. White’s four goals and four assists have added a new dimension for the Gunners while his defensive work has remained as steady as ever.

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Right centre back: William Saliba

The classic Rolls-Royce defender, Saliba has ascended to elite status this season. His recovery speed and physicality allow Arsenal to play with the highest defensive line in the Premier League, per Mark Stats.

Left centre back: Gabriel Magalhães

Arsenal have been the best defensive team in the Premier League all season, conceding only 28 goals through 37 games. Gabriel also added four goals during the season as part of Arsenal’s brutally efficient set pieces.

Left back: Manuel Akanji

This is a little bit of a fudge as Akanji has mostly played CB this year, but he has played left back this season (twice per TransferMarkt). Akanji is a freak, able to play anywhere across the back line and defensive midfield if required. His imposing size, ball skills, and athleticism make him a nightmare in one-on-one situations.

Defensive midfield: Rodri

As Football 365 writes, “The best in the world in his position? Quite possibly.” Rodri is preposterously good. There isn’t loads to write here as if he isn’t in your TOTS, you’re doing it wrong.

Midfield: Declan Rice

Rice moved to Arsenal supposedly set to become the “6”, but over the season blossomed with more attacking freedom, heading into the last game week with seven goals and eight assists on the year. Rice was one of several players included in both Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville’s TOTS.

Midfield: Phil Foden

Does he play in midfield? Not really, could he with Rodri and Rice behind him? Probably. Foden has ascended to a truly elite level this season. He told TN Sports in February that his favourite position is “inside” so we’re going to put him here and let him roam free.

Left wing: Bukayo Saka

It would seem silly to not include the top-rated player by WhoScored in our TOTS. Saka so far has an average rating of 7.67, with the second best (Rodri) rated at 7.61. Saka has 16 goals and nine assists in the 23/24 season so far, but it is his work defensively that has forced his inclusion.

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Centre forward: Ollie Watkins

Aston Villa are officially back in the top tier of European football after an incredible season. Without Ollie Watkins, Villa aren’t getting close. Watkins has 19 goals and 13 assists with two matches to go as of writing this, giving him a very good case for the Player of the Season award.

Right wing: Cole Palmer

Has Cole Palmer been one of the best 11 players in the Premier League this season? Yes. Have we had to shove him over to the right wing to fit him in? Also yes. We aren’t here for the Saka/Foden/Palmer debate, they’re all incredible, just enjoy watching them.

Backup goalkeeper: Emi Martinez

There were a few players we felt deserved recognition, even if they didn’t quite make our starting XI. One of them is Emi Martinez, whose presence has helped allow Unai Emery to have confidence in his famously high defensive line. West Ham’s Alphonso Areola deserves a nod too.

Defensive substitutes:

Kyle Walker, Destiny Udogie, James Tarkowski, and Virgil Van Dijk. Walker is a seemingly ever-present member of Man City’s relentless defence, able to cover for any mistakes his teammates make. Udogie has been a great find for Spurs at left back and VVD continues to be a formidable presence, while Tarkowski is consistently excellent.

Attacking substitutes:

Martin Odegaard, Mohamed Salah, Alexander Isak, and Erling Haaland. Odegaard is a little unlucky to miss out on a spot in the starting XI, given his incredible performances. The others speak for themselves, and all would be worth members of our TOTS.

Player of the Season: Rodri

We would happily give this award to Ollie Watkins, given his performances for the biggest surprise package of the season. However, we can’t argue with Rodri’s talent. Per The International Federation of Football History and Statistics, Rodri has equalled the record for most unbeaten club games in a row with 73 (penalties don’t count).

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