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The Professional Footballers’ Association(PFA) has released the PFA Premier League Team of the Year 2018/19. As usual, the iconic players like Virgil van Dijk and Sadio Mane of Liverpool, Sergio Aguero of Manchester City and midfield magician Paul Pogba have made the final XI.
However, the PFA Team of the year has raised a few questions. In the team of 11 players, six are from Manchester City, and four are from Liverpool and one from the red half of the Manchester. The best XI includes players from the elite clubs and the other clubs of the Premier League are ignored. The talented youngsters like Wilfried Zaha, Aaron wan Bissakka, Real Madrid-bound Eden Hazard and many other players are left out who have performed their best.
Without further ado, we shall look at the undeserved players who have made into the final XI.
#3 Ederson Moraes(GK)
Manchester City signed the talented goalkeeper, Ederson Moraes from SL Benfica for a fee around £36 million in 2017/18. Since then, there is no look back from the player and has been the vital cog in the success of Citizens. There is no doubt about his terrific ball distribution and shot-stopping capabilities. However, he is not the best player to occupy the goalkeeper position in the PFA Team of the year.
The Premier League debutant, Alisson Becker has one clean sheet more than the Manchester City’s shot-stopper. In every aspect, Alisson has excelled than the fellow Brazilian. Comparing the ratio of expected goals allowed to the goals allowed (xGA/GA), Alisson has xGA/GA ratio of 1.94 to Ederson’s 1.5.
Apart from that, Alisson has the saves to goal ratio of 0.71 compared to Ederson’s 0.22. Also, Becker Alisson has 1.9 saves per minute to that of his counterpart’s 1.5. Being better than the Benfica academy graduate on all the fronts, PFA would have named Alisson Becker in the No.1 position of the PFA Team of the Year.
#2 Trent Alexander Arnold (RB)
The 20-year-old prodigal English full-back, Trent Alexander Arnold is one of the exciting talents around the world. He has performed exceedingly well for the Jurgen Klopp and has influenced Liverpool’s title challenge in 2018-19. The Reds’ academy graduate has shone brightly under the German manager with his accurate crossing and excellent defensive capabilities.
However, it is wrong to say that Trent is the best right back in the Premier League. He has fewer interceptions (1.2 per game) compared to Wolves right back, Matt Doherty (1.6 interceptions per game). The Irish defender, Matt Doherty is having a sensational season under the tutelage of Nuno Espirito Santo. Matt Doherty has four goals and six assists in the 27th edition of the Premier League (most for any right back in PL 2018-19).
With a strong defensive partnership with Boly and Coady, Irish full-back has been the revelation for Wolverhampton Wanderers. He has 1.8 tackles per game in the Premier League. Even though Arnold has performed his best for the Reds, Matt Doherty would have been the ideal pick for the PFA Team of the year.
#1 Paul Pogba(CM)
Every Red Devils’ fan expected Paul Pogba to set the stage on fire when he arrived at Old Trafford after leading France to a World Cup victory in Russia. However, the series of inconsistent performances in the Premier League and constant friction with Mourinho kept him out of action for a long time. After the appointment of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in place of Jose Mourinho in December, Paul Pogba has thrived and has been unstoppable in the middle of the park.
With his excellent ball striking capabilities and fantastic work rate, Pogba has scored 13 goals and has nine assists to his tally in the Premier League. However, it will be the wrong thing if we choose a player based on his goals rather than his overall performances.
Under Nuno, Ruben Neves has flourished and has attracted the attention of the big clubs for his signature. Even though Ruben Neves has fewer goals compared to the French star, Neves has performed his defensive duties exceedingly well. Ruben Neves has 2.2 key interceptions per game compared to 1 key interception per game of Paul Pogba. Also, Ruben Neves has committed fewer fouls than Paul Pogba in the Premier League.
Apart from Ruben Neves, Declan Rice of West Ham United has been a revelation this season. Playing in the defensive midfield role, Declan Rice has a pass accuracy of 86% compared to that of Pogba’s 83%. Also, the English player has more interceptions than the French Superstar.
Paul Pogba is having the brilliant second half in the Premier League. Ruben Neves or Declan Rice would have been the ideal pick to play in the centre of the park.
