Formation 4-3-3

Goalkeeper – Emiliano Martinez

The [team 15] goalkeeper had a stunning end to the previous season with [team 19] and moved to Villa last summer. His performances for Villa were exceptional.

Only [player 159142] and [player 99137] kept more clean sheets than Martinez. However, In terms of saves per game, Ederson and Mendy are at the bottom due to their side’s solid defence, but Martinez is 4th in saves per game. He made 3.7 saves per game compared to Ederson and Mendy’s 1.8 per game.

After helping Villa to a brilliant season in the Premier League, [player 1343] makes our goalkeeper for the team of the season.

Right Back – Joao Cancelo

Despite not playing many the last few games, [player 160956] was a pivotal part of Man City’s enthralling winning run that started in December.

His quality on the ball allowed [coach 455361] to provide a different dimension as he used Cancelo in various positions and styles. He played as a right-back, right wing-back as well as from the left side as well. Despite multiple matches in different roles, he was still one of the best players in the League.

He completed 2.4 tackles per game and 1.5 interceptions. 2 goals, and 3 assists, along with an excellent passing record, meaning Cancelo makes our team of the season.

Center Back – Ruben Dias

[team 9]’s start to the season was dreadful. Defensively they were all over the place, conceding goals left, right and centre. Pep made constant formational changes, personnel changes and tactical changes, but nothing worked. Conceding five goals to [team 42] at home was humiliating.

Then arrived a big-money signing from Portugal, which a lot of pressure to deliver. Surprisingly, the Portugal international did not disappoint. [player 162536] elevated Manchester City and whoever played alongside him looked a better player. [player 982] and Dias’s performances massively improved as they kept [player 186299] out of the side for most of the season.

Dias has already won the FWA Player of the Year and also makes our best eleven.

Center Back – Harry Maguire

The English international has faced constant criticism since his move to Manchester. After the horrifying summer holidays last year, a lot of negative reporting was being done surrounding the [team 14] captain.

The start to the season didn’t help. Defeat to [team 51] and the humiliating result against Tottenham was the point where [coach 524307]’s sacking felt inevitable. Maguire’s performances in those results were pathetic.

However, the season quickly turned around, not only for the player but also for the club. Manchester United went the whole season unbeaten away from home. They finished second but quite some way behind local rivals and Champions, Man City.

[player 2884]’s performances were as good as anyone after a poor start as he led his side to a Europa League final where he couldn’t play due to an injury. United ended up losing to [coach 455907]’s [team 3477].

Left Back – Luke Shaw

Another player whose career seemed finished for a long time due to constant injury issues. His [team 18645] place was also gone as other English left-backs were performing much better.

However, credit to [player 955]’s character as he turned around his fortunes after a brilliant season with his club.

He played 32 games, recorded 5 assists and was a major part of the team as they finished runner-ups in the Europa League.

Now for the Euros, he looks set to be [coach 474589]’s first-choice left-back. However, he faces strong competition from Chelsea’s Champions League-winning fullback, [player 1601].

Midfielder – Ilkay Gundogan

[player 4842] was arguably Manchester City best player. His performances during Man City’s 15 game-winning run were simply outstanding. In [player 1371]’s absence, he was the club’s primary source for creativity and also scored a lot of goals. In those 15 matches, the German international scored 11 goals as he led his side to the top of the League.

Midfielder – Mason Mount

[team 18]’s golden boy, [player 537121], had another super season. He was probably the most important part of [coach 523937]’s set-up due to his extreme work rate and intelligent football brain. Mount is probably not as silky as a few other midfielders, but he is arguably the most effective.

He scored 6 goals and assisted 5 in 36 appearances. Out of possession, Mount is simply fantastic. He completed 31 interceptions and an unbelievable 75 tackles, something you don’t see from attacking midfielders. He played 12 progressive passes per game, 456 in total.

Mason assisted [player 32612]’s winning goal in the [league 2] final as well. Now set to play for Southgate’s England side in the Euros.

Midfielder – Bruno Fernandes

Since his arrival at Manchester United, he has completely transformed the club. If he has a bad game, the whole team looks poor.

He had another excellent goal-scoring season. The 26-year-old scored a brilliant 18 goals and assisted 12 goals in 37 appearances. His involvement was crucial in United’s League form and in the [league 5]. In the final, however, he didn’t turn up, and the whole side performed terribly.

[player 129602]’s big-game performances have been poor, something he is constantly criticised for all the time. However, overall, without him, Man United would struggle to get into the top four.

Right Winger – Mohamed Salah

Mohamed Salah was the only attacking player who stepped up for [team 8] when everything was going wrong. After two seasons of near perfection, the reds had a dreadful season. However, they did end up finishing third after a great run towards the end of the season, where they won 7 out of the last 10 games and drew the other three.

Despite his side’s lousy performances, [player 4125] scored 22 goals and missed out on the golden boot by a single goal as Kane scored on the last day, and Salah failed to.

His goals were crucial for Liverpool to finish third as they successfully qualify for next season’s Champions League.

Left Winger – Heung-Min Son

Despite being quiet towards the end of the season, the Korean was in the form of his life for most of the season. He had a brilliant partnership with Kane as they combined for several goals for [team 6].

[player 4313] scored 17 goals and recorded 10 assists in 37 appearances. Under Jose, the Korean international’s game was transformed to a new level.

Striker – Harry Kane

The one position with no controversy whatsoever. England skipper and arguably the best striker in the world, Kane was incredible this season. Normally, Kane is known for his goals, but this season, under [coach 455375], we saw a new version of Kane. A completed version where he was creatively brilliant and looked great as a false nine.

He scored 23 goals, the most in the [league 8] and assisted 14 goals. This season, he covered less distance than usual but was more effective due to his intelligence and football ability.

With the [league 1326] starting in a few days, the whole England fanbase’s hopes are hanging on [player 997]’s shoulders.

Author: Devashish Akolekar