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The Premier League is the most competitive and most followed football league in the world. The competition has lived up to the expectations this season too as we have seen brilliant goals, charged up clashes and moments of individual brilliance amidst all the drama.
The thrill of such competitive football makes it the most marketable league int the world. The League has some of the best players from world football plying their trade week in week out.
A star-studded Manchester City have all but wrapped up the title but with the race for Europe and relegation still ongoing, there could be a few more thrills and spills.
As we come to the conclusion of yet another engrossing Premier League campaign, we take a look at the players who make it to the best XI of the season. This team is dominated by Manchester City players, who have been consistent throughout the campaign.
Goalkeeper
David de Gea (Manchester United)
Matches: 32, Clean Sheets: 16, Goals Conceeded: 25, Saves: 103
With Manuel Neuer injured and missing for most of the season, David de Gea has cemented his place as the best goalkeeper in the world. His incredible displays between the sticks have put Manchester United on course for a runners-up finish. Without him, the Red Devils might not have beenwhere they are as he has often managed jaw-dropping saves.
He has been head and shoulders above the rest of the keepers in the Premier League and tops the list for the most clean-sheets this season with 16 shutouts to his name.
Also read: 5 reasons why David de Gea will stay at Manchester United
He is likely to win the club's Player of the Year award for a record fourth time and United fans all over the world will be praying that Real Madrid don't come hunting for their prized asset again in the summer.
Unlucky to miss out: Ederson (Manchester City), Nick Pope (Burnley)
Full-backs
Right-back: Kyle Walker (Manchester City)
Matches: 29, Clean Sheets:13, Goals Conceded: 20, Assists: 6, Recoveries: 163 Interceptions: 28, Clearances: 53, Tackles: 43
Eyebrows were raised when Manchester City spent £50m to sign Walker last summer, but the former Tottenham man has justified the confidence Pep Guardiola placed on him. The right-back, who has always been suspect defensively, has improved his game with better positional awareness and by utilising his pace to recover from advanced positions on the pitch.
The English right-back shares a great understanding with compatriot Raheem Sterling and he acts as the overlapping wing-back for Sterling who cuts inside to the central areas of the field. Walker has contributed six assists from the flanks and his pace has often stretched narrow defences.
Unlucky to miss out: Antonio Valencia (Manchester United)
Left-back: Marcos Alonso (Chelsea)
Matches: 30, Clean Sheets: 11, Goals Conceded: 27, Assists: 1 Goals: 6, Recoveries: 172, Interceptions: 41, Clearances: 55, Tackles: 46
Though defending champions Chelsea have flattered to deceive this season with their defence in particular culpable for their disappointing position in the league table, Marcos Alonso has had a stellar season playing as the left wing-back in a 5-man defence and he has made best use of the freedom while going forward.
The Spaniard is always lurking around into the box to get on the end of pass or is the one delivering the passes from the left flank. His best performance came against London rivals Spurs early during the season when he scored both goals in a 2-1 win at Stamford Bridge. He's also one of Chelsea's assigned free-kick takers and has contributed six goals this season.
His consistent performances have also caught the eye of his national coach, leading to the Chelsea man receiving his maiden call-up for the Spanish team for friendlies against Germany and Argentina in March.
Unlucky to miss out: Ben Davies (Tottenham Hotspur), Andrew Robertson (Liverpool)
Centre-backs
Nicolas Otamendi (Manchester City)
Matches: 31, Clean-sheets: 13, Goals Conceded: 24, Goals: 4, Recoveries: 175, Interceptions: 45, Clearances: 115, Tackles: 53
Manchester City began the season not knowing how well they'll defend as the full-backs were signed in the summer transfer window and the centre-backs had flattered to deceive last season. This campaign though, Nicolas Otamendi has been magnificent, and he's rarely put a foot wrong despite not having a permanent centre-back partner beside him.
The Argentine has been the rock in the City defence and he's improved his ability to pick out passes from the back this season, a feature that Guardiola has a fascination for.
His physical presence means that he's also a great header of the ball, and he's also chipped in with 4 goals this season.
Though Otamendi is still prone to the occasional rash moment, he has established himself as one of the best defenders this season and deserves his spot in the best XI.
Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham Hotspur)
Matches: 31, Clean Sheets: 13, Goals Conceeded: 27, Recoveries: 212, Interceptions: 52, Clearances: 147, Tackles: 57
Toby Alderweireld was widely seen as Tottenham’s best centre-back at the start of this season, but many Tottenham fans will now feel they can cope without the former Atletico Madrid man should he seek a transfer away from north-London this season.
That’s partly because of the potential of Davison Sanchez, but it has got more to do with Vertonghen's colossal performances this season.
The Belgian reads the game expertly and despite not being the most agile, he is difficult to beat in one-on-one situations. His physical presence ensures that he can't be bullied easily by the stronger forward in the league.
Being one of the best ball-playing centre-backs in the Premier League, he can pick out passes to the midfielder runners from deep. Vertonghen also possesses the ability to fill in at left-back when needed, a position that he often plays for his national team Belgium.
Unlucky to miss out: James Tarkowski (Burnley), Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Ben Mee (Burnley)
Midfield
Fernandinho (Manchester City)
Matches: 30, Assists: 3, Goals: 3, Recoveries: 177, Interceptions: 42, Clearances: 57, Tackles: 54, Passes per match: 86.70
The engine room of this incredible City side, Fernandinho is the player that allows all the attack-minded players to freely express themselves. The Brazilian has been one of the most important signings in City's recent history.
Playing as the deepest lying midfielder, the box-to-box midfielder provides the balance and stability to the team with his clever ball-retention, positioning, and tough tackling. He acts as the link between defence and attack and is capable of scoring the odd-goal too, he has chipped in with 3 goals and 3 assists.
The 32-year is a leader on the pitch and a complete midfielder. Take him out of the team or on an off-day of his, the suspect City defence might be there for the taking.
Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City)
Matches: 32, Recoveries: 184, Assists: 15, Goals: 7, Passes per match: 73.78, Big chances created: 18
Kevin de Bruyne has been on fire this season and has been the catalyst of Manchester City's title charge this season. He is the type of player, a football lover would pay a fortune to go and watch.
The Belgian moves about the pitch with an effortless grace and has the vision to execute passes that nobody, aside Lionel Messi, can even imagine. The ball remains stuck to his feet like glue, and he's one of the hardest to dispossess when on the ball.
He is the orchestrator of most of the clever and rapid attacks that City create from the back and is capable of producing immaculate passes and thunderous shots with both feet equally well, the former-Chelsea man is an absolutely unique player.
With 7 goals and 15 assists, he is the player that enables the likes of Sterling and Sane to flourish on the flanks. Along with David Silva, this man controls the middle of the park by distributing balls for fun.
He was the best player in the first half of the season, but the fixture congestion has meant that he's lost a bit of the intensity due to fatigue.
De Bruyne is one of the best playmakers in the world, and he's one of the favorites to claim the PFA Player of the Year award.
David Silva (Manchester City)
Matches: 26, Recoveries: 124, Assists:11, Goals: 8, Passes per match: 83.15, Big chances created: 14
The heartbeat of Pep Guardiola's midfield, Silva is to Manchester City what Xavi was to Barcelona. He controls the play in the middle of the park and provides the calmness and composure to an attack bustling with pace and energy.
This man has been somewhat overshadowed by the dynamic performances of de Bruyne, Raheem Sterling, Leroy Sane, and Sergio Aguero, but he still manages to light up games with his silky touch and elegance on the ball.
Despite moving to a deeper role due to the presence of quick wingers and his own advancing age, the Spanish wizard has lost none of his creative powers, and in fact, has gone on to improve his scoring numbers. The 32-year-old has found the back of the net 8 times and has also provided 11 assists to his teammates.
Watching him move majestically around the pitch with his twinkling toes due to a low centre of gravity is a treat for the eyes.
Unlucky to miss out: N'Golo Kante (Chelsea), Christian Eriksen (Tottenham Hotspur)
Forwards
Right Winger: Mohamed Salah
Matches: 31, Assists: 9, Goals: 29, Big chances created: 10, Shot Accuracy: 49%
When Salah initially signed for Liverpool, fans were skeptical after his first stint in the Premier League with Chelsea was a failure. So people felt that the Reds had overpaid for him. He has however defied critics, and his transfer is arguably the best signing of the season.
The 'Egyptian Messi', who took his nation into the World Cup, is the darling of his country at the moment. He has found the back of the net 29 times, in addition to his 9 assists and has broken numerous records on the way.
He has already scored a Premier League record 23 goals for the season with his left foot. What's more stunning is that he has scored these goals from the right wing and not as a centre-forward.
His electric performances are keeping Liverpool ahead of the likes of Spurs and Chelsea, and he will remain crucial to the Reds' hopes of clinching a Champions League spot for next season and also their progress in this season's competition.
Salah, astoundingly, leads the charts for the Golden Boot in the Premier League and is also in the race for the Golden Shoe, for the most goals scored in the league in Europe. Quite aptly, the man he is tied with is none other than Lionel Messi himself.
Left Winger: Leroy Sane
Matches: 27, Recoveries: 105, Assists: 12, Goals: 9, Big chances created: 12, Shot Accuracy: 37%
Leroy Sane, who was signed from Schalke in 2016, has put a slow start behind him to become one of the most creative attacking players in the Premier League this season.
His breathtaking pace, fabulous dribbling and ball control has left defenders terrified and gasping for breath. Under Guardiola's tutelage, Sane has gone on to become one of the most feared wingers in world football. There are claims that Sane is the fastest player in the Premier League.
With 9 goals and 12 assists to his name this season, the 22-year-old German is one of the favorites to win the PFA Young Player of the Year award. His performances over the course of the season have marked him out as one of the players to watch out in the talented German ranks at the World Cup this summer.
Unlucky to miss out: Raheem Sterling (Manchester City), Son heung-Min (Tottenham Hotspur), Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur)
Centre-forward: Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur)
Matches: 31, Assists: 2, Goals: 24, Big chances created: 5, Shot Accuracy: 41%
Harry Kane incredibly continues to improve season after season and has been placed among the bracket of best strikers on the planet this season. The winner of the Premier League Golden Boot in the previous two campaigns could well complete a hat-trick if he can finish the season on a high and catch up to Salah.
Initially called a one-season wonder and seen as a one-dimensional player, this man has worked tirelessly to establish himself as one of the most feared and sought-after forwards in world football.
Having found the back of the net on 24 occasions, he's almost single-handedly keeping Tottenham in the race for the Champions League spots next season. Spurs fans will hope their favorite son can stay for many years to come, as the massive clubs like Real Madrid and Barcelona begin to set their eyes on Kane as one of their top targets.
Unlucky to miss out: Sergio Aguero (Manchester City), Romelu Lukaku (Manchester United), Roberto Firmino (Liverpool)
