Let’s be honest, the two week long international break feels like an eternity. This season it is even worse given the staggered nature of the fixtures thanks to the coronavirus. However, it also gives us a chance to reflect back upon the season so far. And that is exactly what I am doing here, with my team of the season.
Disclaimer: The team is based solely on the performances of this season.
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Goalkeeper: Emiliano MartÃnez
What a signing he has been for Aston Villa. His expected goals figure is 36, yet he has conceded just 30 goals. Only Ederson (16) has more cleansheets than MartÃnez’s 14. One of the main reasons Villa have been so solid defensively is his brilliant form throughout the season.
Right Back: João Cancelo
Cancelo has been so good that he has now replaced Kyle Walker as City’s no. 1 right back. The Portuguese fullback has played on the right as well as left side and often popped up in the midfield too. He fits right in the definition of a Pep Guardiola fullback.
Centre Back: Wesley Fofana
Fofana has slotted very well in the Leicester City defense and has filled in for the injured Cagliar Soyuncu. What’s amazing is the fact that he is just 20 years old, though you wouldn’t know that with the composure he shows on and off the ball.
Centre Back: Rúben Dias
Since signing in the summer, Dias has transformed Man City’s defense. Everyone was expecting Aymeric Laporte to come back from injury and shore up the defense, instead it’s Dias who has had that impact. The Portuguese is still only 23 but already looks like a leader on the field.
Left Back: James Justin
Due to injuries in the fullback positions, James Justin has had to play on either side of the back-four. But that is a challenge he has relished, showing that he can play on the right and left either as a fullback or a wingback. It’s a shame an injury prematurely ended his season.
Centre Defensive Midfield: N’Golo Kanté
For the last two seasons, Kanté had been playing in an advanced position, and many thought his career is over. However, this season he’s back in his favoured position and unsurprisingly he’s back to his world-beating best. On form, he is one of the best defensive midfielders in the world.
Centre Defensive Midfield: İlkay Gündoğan
Gündoğan has always been a quality midfielder, but this season he really has upped his game. The German has played alongside Rodri as a pivot, as De Bruyne’s replacement, and even as a false-nine. Needless to say, he has thrived in all positions.
Right Wing: Mohamed Salah
While Liverpool have collectively struggled as a team, Salah has been having a decent season individually. He has 17 goals and sits alongside Harry Kane as the top-scorer in the league. Salah has stepped up and delivered whenever his team has needed him the most.
Centre Attacking Midfield: Bruno Fernandes
Let’s be honest, without Fernandes in the team, Manchester United wouldn’t be anywhere close to where they are right now. He has 16 goals and 10 assists this season. Though his form has tailed off a bit lately, he is still in contention to finish on top of the goal scoring and assisting charts.
Left Wing: Jack Grealish
Despite new signings, Jack Grealish still remains the heartbeat of Aston Villa’s attack. It’s no surprise that the Villans’ loss of form has coincided with Grealish’s injury.
Striker: Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Everton have largely struggled ever since Romelu Lukaku departed. But under Carlo Ancelotti, Calvert-Lewin has looked like a proper centre-forward. Though goals have dried up lately, his early season form earned him an England call-up and has thrived for the Three Lions as well.
Manager: Brendan Rodgers
He is doing a terrific job at Leicester. With so many injuries to key players, Rodgers has managed to keep the Foxes in contention for second place and into the semi-finals of the FA Cup. The former Liverpool manager will learn from experience and will want to avoid a repeat of last season’s costly dip in form at the end.
Substitutes
Edouard Mendy, Luke Shaw, John Stones, Tomas Soucek, James Ward-Prowse, Mason Mount, Youri Tielemans, Harry Kane, Pattrick Bamford