The professional football associations’ team of the year was announced a fortnight back. As expected, it was dominated by Leicester and Tottenham. Between them, they took 8 of the available 11 spots.
Though most were justified, there were some who were overlooked. Mesut Ozil, the german wizard, being the notable one. Here, we have compiled an alternate XI that just missed out. We go with the same 4-4-2 formation chosen by the PFA.
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Goalkeeper: Hugo Lloris
Hugo Lloris is the leader who marshalls the best defense in the league. Though De Gea seems to be making the spot his own in the PFA team every year, Lloris has silently been gaining the reputation as one of the best sweeper-keeper in the country.
His USP though is his leadership skills, the way he organizes those playing in front of him. He may be modest when it comes to publicity, but that does not diminish his eagerness to exert control. He radiates calm authority through his performances and brings order through his timely instructions.
Right back: Kyle Walker
To be honest, there has not been an outstanding right-back this season. Hector Bellerin’s continuous improvement, belying his young age, won him the spot. Walker, though can make a serial claim to the spot.
The English right back’s offensive output has never been in question, but he has always been found wanting defensively. The arrival of Pochettino has helped him improve defensively and he has been part of the stringiest defense in the league. His positioning usually lets him down, but his pace bails him out in most cases. A strong candidate to make the right back spot for England in the EUROS.
Centre Back: Chris Smalling
Manchester United’s most improved player. After having been criticized by Van Gaal following his red card against City in November 2014, the former Fulham man was on the periphery of the first team and was slowly edging towards an exit. Chris Smalling ended last season with fewer Premier League starts than Ashley Young, Antonio Valencia and Phil Jones in a Manchester United defence whose record was bettered only by Chelsea, Southampton and Arsenal.
This season though is a completely different tale. His partnership with Blind(with support from De Gea behind) has provided the bedrock for United’s impressive defensive record. This season they lead the league in terms of clean sheets(17 clean sheets in 34). This campaign has also seen him become his country’s first-choice centre-half, starting five of their eight fixtures since September.
Centre back: ![]()
The Saints lost three huge defensive players this summer in the form of Toby Alderweireld, Nathaniel Clyne and Morgan Schneiderlin. In their place, Roald Koeman bought Virgil van Dijk, Cedric Soares and Jordie Classie to replace the departed with the Dutchman given the unenviable task of replacing Alderweireld who had become Southamptoon’s rock at the back.
The former Celtic man’s adaptability to the English game was questioned by many, but he has taken to the league like a duck to water. Physically strong, fast, uncompromising and to cap it all he’s got a bullet header which is a real asset in set pieces as well.
Left back: Nacho Monreal
Nacho Morneal just edges out Aaron Cresswell owing to his consistency across all the competitions. The shy Spaniard found it difficult initially adapting to the English game, but he has toughened up and has kept Kieran Gibbs a benchwarmer for the entirety of the season. Monreal has shown a terrific fighting spirit and resilience to get where he is today.
He has been Arsenal’s Mr.Consistent, even keeping Messi quiet for most parts of the home tie in the Champions League. His consistent performances have been observed in his home country, where he is in the running to take the left back spot from Alba for the national team.
Central Midfield: Danny Drinkwater
The Englishman’s place was under threat when the Foxes bought Gokhan Inler and N’Golo Kante. The former was a like-to-like replacement for Esteban Cambiasso, an established international. But the English midfielder has been a revelation this season and has become the heartbeat for the Champions.
His transitions from defense to attack have been one of the main reasons the Foxes have been so successful in their counter-attacking strategy. When he is on the ball, the likes of Jamie Vardy, Ryad Mahrez and Albrighton immediately start to make runs knowing that Drinkwater would pick them up.
Drinkwater, a product of Manchester United’s academy, grew up idolizing Paul Scholes not just for the way he played but also because of his steadfast refusal to give interviews. A master at keeping things simple, he has also chipped in with a couple of important goals. He has a battle in his hands come summer, fighting out with the likes of Wilshere, Delph, Henderson for a spot in England’s engine room.
Central midfield: Eric Dier
If not for the inhumanly phenom, who goes by the name of N’Golo Kante, Eric Dier would have been one of the first picks in the team of the year. Deployed in a new position, the former Lisbon man has impressed with his ability to break up play. He’s also been able to drop back when needed, adding defensive security as the fullbacks bomb forward.
The England international has shown a maturity and discipline far beyond his 22 years of age and currently helps set the platform for the likes of Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Erik Lamela to wreak havoc further upfield. He has come the closest to replacing Owen Hargreaves i the England set up and is a definite starter for the Euros this summer.
Left midfield: Mesut Ozil
Mesut Ozil was a surprise exclusion, mostly owing to the poor run of form Arsenal seem to have (and partly to the short term memory of the playes voting) been on. If the awards had been given in the turn of the year, Ozil would have walked away with all the awards. The German had put up 16 assists by January, and was expected to beat Thierry Henry’s record of assists in a Premier League seasonwith ease.
However, this now seems to be a far fetched dream as he still needs 3 more from the remaining games. The nimble-footed German's downturn in form can also be attributed to the goal drought of the strikers playing in front of him. He has gone on to break the most number of chances created though, beating Lampard’s record.
Ozil has been without doubt Arsenal’s main man and has been having the most successful campaign since his arrival from Real Madrid. Arsenal fans must hope he stays and continues the same next season.
Right midfield: Kevin de Bruyne
There were notions that Manchester City had vastly overpaid when they went out and splashed a whopping £55 million to land Kevin De Bruyne from VfL Wolfsburg last summer. Witht the Belgian’s previous stint being a failure at Chelsea, the question still remained on whether he was really cut out for the Premier League?
Well, he has proved his doubters wrong and in an emphatic fashion. If not for the mid season injury, he would definitely have had a spot in that team. De Bruyne has been involved in 15 goals (6 goals and 9 assists) in only 20 starts, and has often produced when City have needed him most. His arrival from injury was a big morale boost for the Citizens as he scored in both legs of the quarter final tie against PSG to help them book a spot in the last 4 of the champions league.
Not the most athletic looking advanced midfielder, he is nevertheless blessed with a quick brain and a superb range of skills. If there is a player for Pep Guardiola to build the new Man City around, it is surely the young Belgian inexplicably sold by Chelsea before becoming Bundesliga player of the year.
Forward: Sergio Aguero
Sergio Aguero was another player Manuel Pelligrini would have loved to have a complete season, without an injury. The Manchester City manager recently lauded Aguero as the best striker in the league, and it is hard to argue otherwise. His numbers prove the same.
The Argentine has 23 goals in the league compared to Harry Kane, although he has played nearly a 1000 minutes lesser. His poor lick with injury meant that he has missed seven games this season, scoring at a rate of a goal every 97 minutes, compared to 125 for Kane and 135 for Vardy.
He has the best conversion rate of the three and scores more varied goal types: he leads this season’s Premier League – perhaps surprisingly – both for goals scored from outside the area and headed goals, with five of each.
Forward: Romelu Lukaku
Everton have a huge number of talents at their disposal and Romelu Lukaku is their shining star. The big Belgian has stepped up to the next level this season scoring 18 premier league goals while also laying another 6 assists.
A complete striker, physically intimidating, quick and also has quite a good close control, a rarity for people with his physique. He might not end up finishing his career at the Merseyside, but a record transfer bid would need to be put on the table for the Toffees to take interest.
The Line-up
