PFA Team of the Year: 5 players who were unlucky to miss out on a spot

The PFA Team of the Year has been announced with almost the whole team comprised of players from title contenders Manchester City and Liverpool. The PFA Team of the Year 2018-19 as announced in a 4-3-3 formation is:

Ederson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk, Aymeric Laporte, Andrew Robertson, Fernandinho, Paul Pogba, Bernardo Silva, Raheem Sterling, Sadio Mane, Sergio Aguero

Each of the players announced in this team have most certainly made a strong case for their inclusion in the team of the season. However, when an all-star team is made, some players do end up unlucky and miss out on a spot in the team. Here are 5 players who could certainly consider themselves unlucky to miss out on a spot in this year's PFA Team of the Year:

#5 Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)

Last year's Golden Boot winner and the PFA Players' Player of the Year Mohamed Salah definitely hasn't enjoyed the heights he saw last season. His form has been up and down this season and he also went through a mini goal drought in the middle of the season with Sadio Mane taking up the responsibilities as Liverpool's main man during that time. However, there is no denying that Salah has still played a massive role in keeping Liverpool's title challenge going.

Despite his patchy form, Salah is still a strong contender to retain the Golden Boot trophy as he is still at the top of the goals tally, level though with Sergio Aguero and Pierre Emerick Aubameyang. In 35 appearances, the Egyptian has still contributed 19 goals and provided 7 assists, a tally which is more than teammate Sadio Mane, who has been named in the Team of the Year.

#4 Alisson Becker (Liverpool)

After Loris Karius' blunders in the UEFA Champions League final last season, Liverpool shelled out a then record transfer fee to secure the services of Alisson Becker from Roma. How the fortunes of Liverpool have changed this season after the acquisition of a solid and confident keeper. Though van Dijk has been the major reason for Liverpool's defensive solidity, Alisson's presence between the sticks has been another major reason for Liverpool's title charge.

He's an assured shot stopper and apart from the odd error, he's been immaculate most of the season. The Brazilian has also kept 18 clean sheets in just 35 appearances in his first season in the Premier League and is the favourite to the Golden Glove as he is two ahead of Manchester City's Ederson. Yet he has missed out on a spot to his countryman Ederson who is the man named as the goalkeeper in the PFA Team of the Year.

#3 Aaron Wan-Bissaka (Crystal Palace)

wan Bissaka could make a big money move in the summer

Wan-Bissaka is definitely one of the most improved players in the Premier League this season. Having only made 7 appearances before the start of this season, the 21-year old has grabbed the attention of one and all in and around the Premier League with his defensive discipline in the Right Back role for Crystal Palace.

The young Englishman has completed 120 tackles, which is the third most in the league and has also played a massive role in Palace keeping 11 clean sheets this season. He's also quick and agile and also links up well with the wingers on the right side of the pitch. Trent Alexander Arnold has been named in the PFA Team of the Year majorly due to his attacking play and his assists tally, but if defensive actions are considered, wan Bissaka definitely merits a spot in the team.

It's only a matter of time before this young full-back gets a call-up to the England national team and also makes a move to a bigger club, with numerous team keen on prizing him away from Selhurst Park.

#2 Christian Eriksen (Tottenham)

The Dane maestro could have made it to the PFA Team of the Year for the second year running

The inclusion of Paul Pogba in the PFA Team of the Year is a major surprise considering that he sparkled only for just over two months when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer replaced Jose Mourinho as the Manchester United manager. During Mourinho's rocky time this season, Pogba was not at his best and towards the end of Mourinho's time, Pogba was dropped from the side. During the rough patch under Ole's reign, Pogba has again gone missing and hasn't been a leader on the pitch that he was expected to be.

Christian Eriksen was named in the PFA Team of the Year last season due to his spectacular performances last season. Though the Dane hasn't quite hit the heights of last season, he's still the major creative influence for Tottenham. Eriksen has 7 goals and 12 assists this season and while the likes of Harry Kane and Son have generally grabbed the headlines for Spurs, Eriksen is the one who links up with the forwards and has the vision to create goal scoring opportunities. Eriksen also tends to pop up with late goals and also has the ability to strike from distance, both of these qualities were observed in his crucial strike in the 88th minute against Brighton.

Considering that 7 of Pogba's 13 goals were from the penalty spot, Eriksen definitely has had a bigger influence on Tottenham's success than the World Cup winning French midfielder had on Manchester United. Hence, Eriksen could have merited a spot in the PFA Team of the Year ahead of Pogba

#1 Eden Hazard (Chelsea)

Would this be Hazard's last season for Chelsea?

Eden Hazard has been one of very positives in a dismal Premier League season for Chelsea. Hazard has been at his scintillating best this year for the Londoners and has lit up the Premier League this season with his dribbling, skills, trickery and goals. He has played across various positions due to the absence of a proper forward to lead the line and has still been near perfect for the Blues.

The Belgian has scored 16 goals and has created 13 assists for his teammates, the most by any player in the Premier League this season. If not for Hazard's contributions, Chelsea might have been fighting a mid-table battle this season, that's how poor the support cast have been. Yet Hazard has shone bright and has inspired Chelsea to the brink of a Champions League spot next season. However it remains to be seen whether he will stay with Chelsea next season with a transfer ban on the cards or if he'll finally make a move to play under Zinedine Zidane at Real Madrid.

Hazard for all his mesmerizing play most certain deserved a spot in the PFA Team of the Year, probably at the expense of Sadio Mane.