Premier League: Best XI with Only One Player per Team [2017/18]

West Ham United v Stoke City - Premier League
Jack Butland

Thus ends yet another Premier League season. For many, it was quite an underwhelming one. Neither were there any final day surprises nor was there a real title race in the final months.

Manchester City had dominated the league so much that they played in second gear towards the end and still set records while Chelsea and Arsenal dropped to the Europa League in what was a tough fight for the top four.

Just as with every season, we tried to pick the best XI. But this time we added a twist. Only one player per club could be selected. So who makes the cut?

Formation: 4-3-3


Goalkeeper

David de Gea won the Golden Glove this season with 18 clean sheets but, unfortunately, he doesn't make our lineup. Sadly, since only one player per club makes the squad, another Manchester United player makes the cut.

In his place, though, is another capable goalkeeper who could be going to the FIFA World Cup in Russia next month. Jack Butland may have been relegated with Stoke City, but he was one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League this season.

No goalkeeper made more saves than the 25-year-old - 144 saves! Amidst the ruins of the Potters' poor season, Butland stood tall and kept them in the contest in many games this season.

Full-Backs

Arsenal v Chelsea - Premier League
Marcos Alonso

At left-back is Chelsea full-back Marcos Alonso. It hasn't been the best of seasons for the Blues who fell out of the top four despite being defending champions but Alonso was one of the bright spots in an otherwise dark season.

Alonso, who plays as a wing-back for Chelsea who have deployed a back-three, scored 7 goals and provided 2 assists this season. What makes him so lethal is also his ability in dead-ball situations.

If Chelsea win a foul outside the box, it is Alonso that steps up for the free-kick. His physicality in the box during set-pieces is also what makes him a top buy for the Blues.

Alonso's teammate Cesar Azpilicueta could have joined him at right-back but not in this XI. Alonso was the better player and so we must turn our search elsewhere.

Newcastle United v West Bromwich Albion - Premier League
DeAndre Yedlin

There were plenty of good right-backs from the top clubs but they have players in other positions. Therefore, the next best choice is Newcastle United's right-back DeAndre Yedlin.

The American can play as a right-back, wing-back, or even as a wide midfielder but has primarily played as a right-back under Rafa Benitez this season - whether he uses a 4-4-2 or a 4-2-3-1.

A no-nonsense defender, Yedlin is quite good at tackling players in one-on-one situations and his pace allows him to track back quickly. The 24-year-old has also provided two assists - one each against Manchester United and Arsenal.

Centre-Backs

Burnley v Liverpool - Premier League
James Tarkowski

Again, there were quite a few contenders from the top four clubs but their best players were clearly in attacking positions. The likes of Virgil van Dijk have impressed this season but he has no place in this lineup (yeah, you already know why).

Our first centre-back is Burnley defender James Tarkowski. The Englishman helped form the bedrock on which Burnley laid the foundation to return to Europe for the first time in 51 years.

Under Sean Dyche, The Clarets conceded only 39 goals in 38 matches - a better defensive record than all teams except the two Manchester clubs. Strong in aerial duels and tackling, the 25-year-old played 31 games as Burnley finished seventh.

Partnering him in central defence is another English defender who plays for Leicester City - their summer signing Harry Maguire. The 25-year-old has certainly proved to be one of the signings of the season with his performances for the Foxes.

Leicester City v Chelsea - The Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final
Harry Maguire (L)

He is a defender who usually gets his positioning right and can even carry the ball forward from defence to midfield. He is also a threat from set-pieces.

One of the most remarkable stats was that he was one of few players that played every minute of the campaign - 90 minutes in all 38 games where he also managed to score 2 goals and grab 4 assists.

Midfield

Manchester United v Arsenal - Premier League
Nemanja Matic

At the base of the midfield is Manchester United's very own Nemanja Matic (Red Devils fans sharpening their knives for de Gea's omission, relax). While de Gea had plenty of competition in the Premier League, there was nobody who came close to competing with the big Serbian in midfield.

No other player could single-handedly shield the defence and initiate attacks as well as Matic did for Jose Mourinho's side. Almost every United player has come under some sort of criticism at various stages of the season but Matic's consistency has earned him only praise.

Matic's passing range and ability to dominate the midfield battle is exactly what allowed players such as Paul Pogba and Ander Herrera to thrive. And his ability to adapt to both the 4-2-3-1 and 4-3-3 formations made him indispensable.

West Ham United v Manchester City - Premier League
Kevin De Bruyne had the most assists this season

Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne may not have won the PFA Player of the Year award but ask him about it and he is unperturbed. He has a Premier League winner's medal for his exploits this season.

Many wondered how Pep Guardiola would play both David Silva and De Bruyne together in midfield but he made it work and it was the Belgian who shined this season.

8 goals may not seem like much but it was his 16 assists that paved the way for City to win the league. It also earned him the all-new Premier League Playmaker Award for most assists in the league this season.

The final midfielder to complete the midfield three is a bit left-field (pardon the pun) but he deserves to be there in such a unique lineup.

Watford v Manchester United - Premier League
Abdoulaye Doucouré

Watford started the season relatively well before falling away after Marco Silva lost his mojo but Abdoulaye Doucouré has remained consistent throughout. With 7 goals and 3 assists, the 25-year-old scored at regular intervals at the start of the season.

His fitness levels also allowed him to play 37 games this season, completing 90 minutes 36 times. The one time he was substituted? The 85th minute.

Forwards

Arsenal v Burnley - Premier League
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

When the season got underway, there was a lot of talk about who would be the better signing - Romelu Lukaku, Alvaro Morata, or Alexandre Lacazette.

Lukaku managed 16 goals and 7 assists in 34 games. Lacazette scored 14 goals and provided 4 assists in 32 games. Morata only managed 11 goals and 6 assists in 31 games.

As for Arsenal's January signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang? 10 goals and 4 assists in just 13 games. The fact that he started his first game only in February and still managed to catch up so much is a testament to his goalscoring prowess.

Key Stat: Aubameyang was involved in a goal every 75 minutes after his arrival in the winter transfer window! He takes a position out wide on the left as he has done for the Gunners in a few games.

On the right is none other than the Liverpool forward who won an individual treble of awards - Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian won the Premier League Golden Boot with 32 goals this season - a new record in the English top flight (38-game season).

The fans loved him and opponents respected him. And one couldn't help but smile every time he got the ball in the back of the net. In fact, the only time he was booed (playfully) was at the end of the season when he nicked the ball off his daughter's feet after the final game of the season at Anfield.

Leading this unique lineup is Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane. The Englishman's consistency every year has certainly put to rest the tag of 'one season wonder'.

Brighton and Hove Albion v Tottenham Hotspur - Premier League
Harry Kane

Kane was mercilessly trolled when he claimed a goal scored by Christian Eriksen as his but that should not be how we remember his season. Scoring 30 goals and not winning the Golden Boot is no joke either.

Spurs have not exactly "progressed" this season as Mauricio Pochettino claims but Kane certainly has and, should the Lilywhites be forced to sell him, he will easily command a nine-figure fee in the transfer market.

Quick Links

Edited by Arvind Sriram