Hello everyone!
It’s Saturday and I’m not at football, which is an absolute travesty but what better way to get over it then by blogging and challenging Juventus for the Scudetto on Football Manager!
Today’s XI is basically just my best Premier League XI, but I am only allowed to choose one player from each team.
Let’s get into it!
GOALKEEPER- Dean Henderson
The Sheffield United stopper has been a huge part of his sides’ wonderful season, which has led to him being touted for a potential spot in the England squad.
The Blades are vastly outperforming their expected goals against and Henderson is one of the key factors behind this, he is not quite up there with the best goalkeepers in the league, but it seems as if he will be soon.
Despite his mistake against Liverpool, he has been almost faultless and a place in the PFA team of the year beckons…
LEFT BACK- Lucas Digne
The former Barcelona man has been an excellent coup for Everton since he signed in 2018 and he makes it in at left back for this team.
He is a perfect replacement for Leighton Baines on Merseyside as he is also an excellent crosser of a ball and competent defensively. While he has not exactly made Everton more than an average Premier League side, he is certainly one of their better players.
Of their squad, he is probably one of about three players who could cut it at a really big club, so for that reason he makes it into this XI.
RIGHT BACK- Aaron Wan Bissaka
AWB makes an XI for the second day in a row, mainly because I think he is one of United’s best three players, and he is the second best right back in the league right now.
He has made the second most tackles in the Premier League so far this season, and just his performances when pitted up against Raheem Sterling this season made him a dead cert for this side.
While he does quite contribute much going forward, his defensive numbers make him an incredible right back that has settled in quickly at Old Trafford.
CENTRE BACK- James Tarkowski
If any Burnley player was going to make it into this team, then it was always going to be a defender, and the one I have gone for is James Tarkowski.
The former Brentford man has made the second most clearances in the Premier League so far this season and he compliments Burnley’s defensive style so well. The Clarets have also kept the second most clean sheets this season, so their style must be working
He has made over 100 appearances for Burnley since 2016, which just shows how much Sean Dyche trusts him to be his man at the back, and that’s why he makes it into this XI.
CENTRE BACK- Virgil Van Dijk
Partnering Tarkowski is the best player in the Premier League (in my opinion), Virgil Van Dijk. He was the first name on the team sheet, mainly because of the effect he has had on Liverpool since he joined in 2018.
He has guided Liverpool to a Champions League final, a Champions League win and a probable Premier League title in his time at Anfield, and you get the feeling that he and Liverpool are only just getting started.
The only way you can describe watching him play is ‘men against boys’, and the fact that rival fans seem so quick to try and capitalise on any mistake he makes, shows just how good he really is.
LEFT MIDFIELD- Heung Min Son
As an Arsenal fan, choosing the Tottenham player for this XI was actually pleasantly easy. If I had been doing this list two or three years ago then it would have been a lot harder to pick one stand out player.
The South Korean has been phenomenal for Spurs and when he’s on form he is their most technically gifted player, his goal against Burnley earlier this season made this abundantly clear.
His injury has really stopped Spurs being able to attack effectively, and this just represents his importance to the team, and why he had to make this XI. His versatility also meant I could slot him in anywhere across the front line.
RIGHT MIDFIELD- Jack Grealish
I am a huge fan of Jack Grealish, he has been simply superb for Aston Villa this season and I just had to include him in this team.
I had considered Adama Traore from Wolves but I think the Villa star is better, he creates chances, scores goals and drags his team up when they are down.
He will no doubt get a move this summer if he wants it and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him in the in the very near future.
CENTRAL MIDFIELD- Ngolo Kante
While Ngolo Kante has not hit the lofty heights he set himself in the early days of his Premier League career, he is still one of the best defensive midfielders in world football.
His tireless engine and ball winning ability made him a revelation for Leicester and then Chelsea, and I needed a defensive head for this midfield so who better than Kante?
Mateo Kovacic has arguably been in better form this season, but I wanted to avoid making this XI just based off this season, also as I said Kante is a great defensive option.
CENTRAL MIDFIELD- Kevin De Bruyne
I think this is probably the most obvious choice of the whole team, while I said Van Dijk is the best player in the league, there was certainly an argument to include Salah, Mane or Alisson over him.
With De Bruyne, there is no debate, he is by far Man City’s best player and without him they don’t look nearly as good. He is averaging a goal or an assist in nearly every game (24 G+A in 27 games).
The Belgian’s crossing and passing is simply sublime and the Sky Blues are lucky to have him.
STRIKER- Pierre Emerick Aubameyang
Another easy choice! Aubameyang hit the ground running as soon as he joined Arsenal in 2018 and he hasn’t stopped scoring since.
Scoring goals comes so naturally to him and he is well on course to claim to Golden boot for the second consecutive season, even when he plays out on the left, he still manages to score goals. He would fit into any team in the Premier League.
I couldn’t put forward an argument to put any other Arsenal player in this XI, but that doesn’t take anything away from PEA’s quality.
STRIKER- Jamie Vardy
The final name on this list is the Premier League’s current top scorer, Jamie Vardy. His quality is well documented and he just seems to keep getting better with age.
Brendan Rodgers has got Leicester battling in the top four, and Vardy’s goals have gone a long way to ensuring they will be playing Champions League football next year.
His status as a Premier League legend is almost confirmed and he saw off stiff competition from his Leicester teammates to make this XI.
FULL TEAM:
Henderson
Wan Bissaka Van Dijk Tarkowski Digne
Traore De Bruyne Kante Son
Aubameyang Vardy
Thanks for reading today’s blog! I’d be really interested to hear who you would put in your XI!
Put yours in the comments
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