Hello!
Welcome back to another Ultimate XI, today we are going to be looking at the players that have appeared in every single Premier League fixture so far this season!
The selection for this XI is based on the players’ performances so far this season, not their overall ability, let’s get into it!
GOALKEEPER- Bernd Leno
Bernd Leno is definitely one of Arsenal’s players of the season. The German stopper has appeared in all 28 of the Gunners’ fixtures and he has been solid behind a shaky defence.
He has kept 7 clean sheets, which isn’t a great return, but considering he is playing for one of the weakest defences in the league, this is to be expected. He has made plenty of wonderful saves, and he has clearly won Arsenal points on his own at some points this season.
Leno will hope that Arsenal can start to build an excellent defence, because then his clean sheet tally is sure to go up.
LEFT BACK- Enda Stevens
Sheffield United have been the surprise package so far in the Premier League this season, and a mainstay of their back line is Enda Stevens. The left back has been able to contribute both defensively and offensively, which makes him one of the stand out players for the Blades.
He has two goals and two assists to his name this season, but he is also part of a defence that has kept 10 clean sheets, and is the statistically the second best in the league.
Stevens had only made seven Premier League appearances before this season, but he has taken to life in Premier League like a duck to water.
RIGHT BACK- Trent Alexander-Arnold
Trent Alexander-Arnold is making a habit of getting into my XI’s, but the leagues best right back has played every game so far this season, so he had to make it in!
The young Englishman has twelve assists, second only to De Bruyne and he is the chief creator in Liverpool’s line up, but you have heard this all before if you have been reading my blogs….
He has played every Premier League game for the Reds this season and that is no surprise as he is by far the best right back at the club, and the league.
CENTRE BACK- Virgil Van Dijk
Virgil Van Dijk is another one that seems to make a habit of being in these XIs, but again he has to make it as he has played every game for Liverpool this season.
He is the worlds best centre back and he is a massive part as to why Liverpool have conceded just 21 goals this season, he has also scored four goals which is the joint most by any defender in the league.
He has no doubt guided Liverpool to their first Premier League title and he is the main reason as to why they have had an amazing 2 years.
CENTRE BACK- Jonny Evans
Leicester have had an excellent season, and they are well in with a chance of securing Champions League football as they currently sit third in the league.
Evans has been a massive part of that, and he has been an excellent replacement for the imperious Harry Maguire. He has played every game for Leicester, and his partnership with Çaglar Söyüncü has led them to these lofty heights.
Evans signed for just £3.5 million in the summer, and the fact that he has been one of their most consistent performers means he is one of the bargains of the season.
CENTRAL MIDFIELD- Ruben Neves
Wolves have had a quietly good season so far and Neves has been an ever present at Molineux so far this season. He has been a major part of Wolves’ meteoric rise into the Premier League and he continues to be a consistent performer.
Neves’ passing and technical ability makes him an excellent force in their midfield, and he complements another midfielder in this XI perfectly (you’ll have to wait and see). He started at Porto but he has been at his best best in England.
He very rarely scores, and when he does it is spectacular, but he has only found the back of the net twice in the Premier League this season.
CENTRAL MIDFIELD- Mason Mount
Chelsea’s youthful approach this season may have been enforced, but it has allowed them to find some wonderful players lurking among their youth system. Mason Mount is arguably the one that has had the most impact this season.
Mount has appeared in every single Premier League game for Chelsea this season and he has a very respectable six goals to his name. He performed well at Derby this season but there was still much debate about whether he would actually be able to make the significant jump to the Premier League.
Mount often operates in an attacking midfield role, and his performances this season has cemented his place in Chelsea’s future plans. At just 21 he has the world at his feet.
CENTRAL MIDFIELD- João Moutinho
João Moutinho is the second Wolves midfielder to make this XI, and the Portugal international is one of the most underrated midfielders in the league.
Moutinho has scored just one Premier League goal this season, but he controls the midfield excellently and he makes Wolves tick.
He has had a distinguished career, winning the 2016 European Championship and six league titles at three different clubs. Moutinho has made 121 appearances for Portugal and he is one of the best Portuguese midfielders of his generation.
LEFT WING- Dwight McNeil
Dwight McNeil is Burnley’s most creative players, and he has shown excellent potential since his Premier League debut in 2018. He is just 20 years old and he is sure to move to a big club in the near future.
He has scored two Premier League goals this season, but his five assists are only matched by Ashley Westwood in the Burnley squad. His partnership with Chris Wood and Ashley Barnes is a big reason as to why Burnley are challenging in the top half this season.
Considering Burnley are one of the most defensive teams in the league, so McNeil is probably not fulfilling his attacking potential in Sean Dyche’s system.
RIGHT WING- Todd Cantwell
Norwich are most likely going to victims of another relegation this season, but Todd Cantwell has been a rare bright spark in their otherwise poor season. He has scored six goals in 29 games for Norwich this season.
Cantwell is a creative attacking midfielder, who is also adept in front of goal. He was excellent when the Canaries beat Man City in September, and he got on the scoresheet as well as providing an assist.
If Norwich go down then Cantwell will certainly be looked at by plenty of Premier League clubs as he has arguably been Norwich’s player of the season.
STRIKER- Danny Ings
Danny Ings has scored 15 Premier League goals this season, which is the fifth most in the league. The Southampton striker has seen a career renaissance this season and he has kept Southampton out of the drop zone with his goals.
He is the second highest English goal scorer in the Premier League this season and his form, coupled with Harry Kane’s injury made him an outside shot for the Euros, until they were postponed, obviously.
Ings has played in every single one of Southampton’s league games, which is a welcome change from his patchy injury record in recent years. He makes it in ahead of Roberto Firmino due to the Brazilian’s inconsistent form this season.
That’s all for today’s XI!
See you tomorrow!
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