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The year 2018 has thrown up a lot of surprises and moments of magic for the footballing fraternity to witness. Confining to the aforementioned, the English Premier League 2018-19 season hasn't been an exception. For the first time in ages, there were three unbeaten teams after 10 matchweeks and two, after the commencement of the 15th matchweek.
Inflated transfer fees, the number of quality English talent and the ruthlessness of the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool have added another dimension to the Premier League. While the season started off with as many as six teams capable of winning the title, it was always going to be a memorable season. The introductions of Unai Emery and Maurizio Sarri have only added value to the EPL's moniker, "The Best League in the World".
With the settling in and the table beginning to take shape, here's the Premier League Team of the Season so far in the 2018-19 season.
Notable Mentions:Sergio Aguero(Manchester City);Lucas Digne(Everton FC );Bernardo Silva (Manchester City );Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang ( Arsenal FC );Rui Patricio ( Wolverhampton Wanderers );Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool FC);Leroy Sane ( Manchester City )
Goalkeeper:
Alisson Becker ( Liverpool FC )
Inspite of his blunders against Leicester City and recently against Manchester United, Alisson has come a long way in justifying his price tag after Liverpool initially broke the transfer record (for a Goalkeeper) to acquire his services from Roma. Alisson's long range passing and command of the defensive line has made him an invaluable asset in Klopp's arsenal of stars.
He has not withered due to the pressure of his price tag and has put up extraordinary performances against the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City. While Liverpool have been bulldozing oppositions, Alisson has been alert while doing his job with as many as 36 saves to his name and only seven goals being conceded by the Brazilian.
With a league high 10 clean sheets to his name, the Kop faithful will be praying for Alisson to keep up his performances as they try and pull clear of Manchester City at the top of the table.
Defenders:
Aymeric Laporte ( Manchester City )
Aymeric Laporte was brought to the Etihad for a whooping 57 million by Pep Guardiola, who had pinpointed the Frenchmen as the left-sided centre back they were in need of. Laporte has been ever-present in the City defence and consequently, the Citizens have reaped it's benifits. City have conceded only ten goals and a large part of it can be attributed to Laporte.
With an impressive 2.1 aerial duels won per game, only 0.8 fouls committed per game and a impressive pass percentage of 92.4 , he is the perfect Guardiola centre back. His ball playing abilities are also on showcase with the Frenchman attempting nearly 5 long balls every game. Usually paired with either John Stones or Vincent Kompany, Laporte has transitioned into the most important cog of City's defence this season.
Virgil Van Dijk ( Liverpool FC )
Along the lines of the previous inductees, Virgil Van Dijk, who was also bought for a hefty price, has walked the talk with his bold performances in the Premier League this season. The Liverpool defender along with Joe Gomez have been virtually unstoppable with Liverpool only conceding seven goals so far in the league.
Van Dijk puts in nearly 2 tackles every game along with 1.1 interceptions per game. This is a testament to the Dutchman's reading of the game, enabling him to be at least a step ahead of the opposition attackers. Very strong, aerially and physically, Van Dijk might just be the best defender in the Premier League right now. No wonder Klopp went all out for him!
David Luiz ( Chelsea FC )
At the end of the 2017-18 season, David Luiz was reportedly on his way out of Chelsea after falling out with Antonio Conte, who was then, the Chelsea manager. Fast forward six months, David Luiz is amongst the first names of the team sheet. How a change in manager and philosophy can change things!
David Luiz owes this to present Chelsea manager, Maurizio Sarri as the Italian reinstated Luiz citing his ball-playing abilities at the back. Luiz has been brilliant for Chelsea alongside Antonio Rudiger. Apart from recently scoring in Chelsea's 2-0 win over Manchester City, Luiz puts 2.1 tackles and interceptions per game, wins nearly 3 aerial duels per game and has been the no-nonsense type of a centre back with 4.7 clearance per game.
The Brazilian has been rejuvenated by Sarri's arrival and approach and has typified it on the pitch. Another ball playing centre back, David Luiz attempts nearly 6 long balls each game to supplement the aerial prowess of Alvaro Morata and Olivier Giroud. Maurizio Sarri has used this aspect of Luiz to great extent while transition play from defence to attack instantaneously.
With Chelsea currently in the fight for a Champions League spot, David Luiz's performances at the back hold even greater value in the coming matchweeks.
Midfielders:
David Silva ( Manchester City )
David Silva keeps getting better with age and has proven his credentials again this season in Premier League. The fulcrum of Manchester City's attacking potency, Silva has been brilliant for the Citizens. His five goals and two assists have further added to his already glittering career.
The best midfielder of the season so far, Silva has produced 2.8 key passes per game and has only been dispossessed a mere 0.8 times per game this season, highlighting his masterful control of the ball at his feet. With his partner-in-crime, Kevin De Bruyne still coming out of injury, we are primed to see many more of David Silva's masterclass this season.
Fernandinho ( Manchester City )
Fernandinho is the most underrated player in the Manchester City line-up yet ever-present. Like Sergio Busquets' role in Pep Guardiola's all-conquering Barca, Fernandinho has been exemplary in the defensive role. The Brazilian puts in 2.1 tackles per game along with a noteworthy 1.5 interceptions each game, enabling City to work wonders in the attacking third.
Fernandinho plays his part in attack as well with a goal and three assists to his name, something Centre Defensive Midfielders would be envy of. With an average of 76 passes completed per game, Fernandinho has been influential in City's Tiki-Taka style of Football. Inspite of younger centre-midfielders like Jorginho and Paul Pogba plying their trade in the league, Fernandinho has stood out, making him a valuable asset to any team in the world.
Lucas Torreira ( Arsenal FC )
A ball winning midfielder, Lucas Torreira has been the best amongst a heap of signings by Arsenal during the summer transfer window. Initially being out of Emery's side, Lucas Torreira has come of his own over the past few months. He has successfully established himself at the heart of the Arsenal midfield with goals against Tottenham Hotspur and Huddersfield further vindicating his move to the Emirates Stadium.
Emery's 3-5-2 formation's success is largely down to the defensive capabilities of Torreira as the Uruguayan puts in 2 tackles and 1.4 interceptions per game. With two assists to his name, Torreira has also contributed to his team's need in the attacking third as well enabling Arsenal to climb to fifth, from a disastrous start.
Ryan Fraser ( Bournemouth )
Bournemouth had been flying high in the table until a recent drop in form with even European places well within reach at a particular point of time. Scottish midfielder, Ryan Fraser has been particularly sensational for the Cherries this season. His link-up play with England international, Callum Wilson has seen him score four goals and seven assists for Bournemouth this season.
Having a part in almost 45% of a mid-table side's goals is quite an achievement for any player and Ryan Fraser merits all the acclaim. With 2.3 key passes per game and 1.6 crosses each game, Fraser was the go-to player for Eddie Howe and was clearly visible in his starring performances against Leicester City and Manchester United. It is only a matter of time until the bigger teams circle around Fraser.
Attackers:
Raheem Sterling ( Manchester City )
It's no wonder that Sterling has made this XI with the Englishman scoring as many as nine goals for the Citizens so far in Premier League. He has been undroppable and at times unplayable for City this season. He has won four man of the match awards in the 13 matches he has started and has played major part in City's league high tally of 48 goals scored.
With six assists also to his name, Sterling is only behind the likes of Eden Hazard, Leroy Sane and Ryan Fraser. Such has been Sterling's form this season that he was chosen to lead to line against Chelsea albeit with relatively lesser success. With City currently placed second in the table, they will be hoping for more of the same from Raheem Sterling.
Mohammed Salah ( Liverpool FC )
Liverpool's talisman, Mo Salah started the season quite slowly to his lofty standards and was subject to claims that he was a one-season wonder. But Salah as gradually grown into his role and has been plundering goals of late. Currently leading the goalscoring charts alongside Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang with ten goals, Mo Salah has been pivotal to Liverpool success so far.
His hat-trick in a very tricky fixture against Bournemouth was quite impressive. Along with four assists to his teammates so far, Salah has impressed one and all with his link-up play with Mane, Firmino and Shaqiri with 2.1 key passes being dished out each game. The current PFA Player of the Year is just getting started and oppositions might want to take extra care.
Eden Hazard ( Chelsea FC )
Arguably, the best player of the league so far, Chelsea's Eden Hazard has been nothing but extraordinary for Chelsea this season. Coming into the season with injury, Sarri eased the Belgian into the team and what a move that was. No player has contributed more in terms of assists and goals as Eden Hazard. With eight goals to his name, Hazard leads the assists table with as many as nine assists so far.
With only almost half the season up, Hazard could be a contender to Henry's record of most assists in a season. Hazard has been ruthless and has shown no signs of stopping. His performances against the likes of Liverpool FC and Manchester City have attracted potential suitors as well. While Eden Hazard has been vocal of his desire to play for Real Madrid, oppositions will have to contend with stopping the Belgian maestro from putting out virtouso performances on a regular basis until the end of the 2018-19 season.
