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The 2020/21 Premier League season has come to a close, and now we must wait for a few months before we begin the ride once more.
It was a season of entertainment and excellence, with some of the best players in the world showcasing their ability for their respective teams. There were some shocking results alongside some brilliant performances, as the Premier League once again showed why it is the most competitive league in world football.
Manchester City became Premier League champions, while Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea all secured UEFA Champions League spots for next season.
It was heartbreak for Leicester City in the end, who narrowly missed out on the top four. On the other side of the table, Fulham, West Bromwich Albion and Sheffield United were relegated.
It was an exhilarating season of football, one which was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, football often proved to be good relief from the tensions of the world.
Without further ado, we take a look at the Premier League Team of the Season for 2020-21.
Goalkeeper- Ederson Moraes (Manchester City)
Ederson Moraes did not come cheap, but his impact at Manchester City has been noteworthy.
The Brazilian joined Manchester City from Benfica for £36 million in 2017, as he became the second-most expensive goalkeeper of all time. Ederson's impact was instant. An excellent passer, the goalkeeper is often the one to start Manchester City's attacks, while his accurate long balls have gained plaudits universally.
Apart from his ball-playing ability, the 27-year-old is a good shot-stopper as well. He won the Premier League Golden Glove in the 2020-21 campaign, as he got his hands on the award in successive seasons. Ederson kept 18 clean sheets in 35 Premier League games and is widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
Honorable Mentions: Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa), Edouard Mendy (Chelsea), Illan Meslier (Leeds United), Nick Pope (Burnley)
Also Read: 5 football teammates who hated each other
Right-back - Joao Cancelo (Manchester City)
Joao Cancelo's versatility has been utilized well by Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola this season and the defender has impressed in every position he has played in.
Cancelo made his name as a right-back for Valencia and Inter Milan and joined Manchester City from Juventus in 2019. A slow first season in England has been followed by a sensational second season in which the Portugal international became vital for Manchester City.
The 26-year-old was used in both full-back positions by Guardiola. Strong technically and a good passer, his abilities have seen him tuck into midfield from the full-back positions and operate in the center of the park.
Centre-back- Ruben Dias (Manchester City)
Arguably the best center-back in the world at the moment, Ruben Dias has proved to be a shrewd acquisition by Manchester City.
Eyebrows were raised when Manchester City paid Benfica £61.2 million last summer for Dias. The Portuguese international has shrugged off the pressure of the price tag though and formed an impressive centre-back partnership with John Stones.
Dias' impact has been such that the 24-year-old is among the favorites to win the PFA Player of the Year award. An aggressive center-back, Dias made 32 Premier League appearances for Manchester City in the 2020-21 season.
Centre-back- Harry Maguire (Manchester United)
Opinions about Harry Maguire have been mixed since he arrived at Manchester United from Leicester City for a record fee of £78.3 million.
A ball-playing center-back who is excellent in the air, the captain of Manchester United has been an ever-present for the club since he signed in 2019. Maguire's importance to the Manchester United defense was felt in the last few Premier League games when he was out with an injury, as the likes of Victor Lindelof, Eric Bailly and Axel Tuanzebe struggled without his presence.
The England international looks doubtful to feature for Manchester United against Villarreal in the UEFA Europa League final, which will be a cause of concern for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Maguire has already made more than 100 appearances in all competitions for Manchester United, highlighting his incredible fitness levels.
Left-back- Luke Shaw (Manchester United)
One of the best left-backs in the world this season, Luke Shaw's resurgence has been wonderful to see.
A highly-rated talent when he joined Manchester United from Southampton in 2014, serious injuries resulted in limited appearances for the club during his first few years at the club. The arrival of Solskjaer as manager has seen the England international gain confidence, and he enjoyed arguably his best season in professional football during the 2020-21 campaign.
Shaw's creativity and crossing ability have been crucial for Manchester United. The 25-year-old made 32 Premier League appearances for the club, scoring one goal and providing five assists.
Honorable Mentions: Vladimir Coufal (West Ham United), Thiago Silva (Chelsea), Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Aaron Cresswell (West Ham United), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), John Stones (Manchester City), Andy Robertson (Liverpool), Wesley Fofana (Leicester City)
Also Read: Top 10 players in Europe this season according to ratings (2020/21)
Central Midfield - Ilkay Gundogan (Manchester City)
It was surprising to see Ilkay Gundogan be the main source of goals for Manchester City in the 2020-21 season.
An elegant midfielder with good passing ability, Gundogan finished the Premier League season as Manchester City's top goalscorer in the league. The 30-year-old made 28 Premier League appearances and scored 13 goals as Manchester City secured the league title.
It remains to be seen whether the midfielder's goalscoring form continues next season. Gundogan won two Premier League Player of the Month awards for his performances in the 2020-21 season.
Central Midfield - Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)
One of the best players in the world, Kevin De Bruyne's influence might have been was dwarfed in comparison to the 2019-20 campaign, but there is no denying his importance to Manchester City.
The Belgium international's season was impacted due to injury issues, limiting his appearances. However, De Bruyne was at his brilliant best when he did play, with his creativity and incisive passing on display several times across all competitions.
The 29-year-old, who recently signed a new contract at Manchester City, made 25 Premier League appearances, scoring six goals and providing 12 assists.
Attacking Midfield - Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)
The best midfielder in the Premier League this season, Bruno Fernandes has been Manchester United's most important player since he arrived in January 2020.
Fernandes has added creativity, goals, drive and intensity to the Manchester United midfield. A hard-working midfielder, the Portuguese international is already a fan-favorite among the Old Trafford faithful due to his consistent performances, while his leadership qualities have been appreciated as well.
The 26-year-old made 37 league appearances, scoring 18 goals and providing 12 assists. He will be the main man for Manchester United as they get ready to play Villarreal in the UEFA Europa League final.
Honorable Mentions: Tomas Soucek (West Ham United), N'Golo Kante (Chelsea), Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (Tottenham Hotspur), Declan Rice (West Ham United), Youri Tielemans (Leicester City), Mason Mount (Chelsea), Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City), Rodri (Manchester City), Jesse Lingard (West Ham United)
Also Read: 5 best full-backs in the Premier League this season (2020/21)
Right-winger- Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Liverpool's 2020-21 season was not a successful one considering their high standards, but securing UEFA Champions League football is a huge positive for Jurgen Klopp's side.
Mohamed Salah continued on his merry way despite Liverpool's shortcomings. The Egyptian scored 22 league goals in 37 league appearances for Liverpool, just one behind top goalscorer Harry Kane.
The poor form of Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino for much of the season saw Salah come under immense pressure to deliver consistently. The 28-year-old did not disappoint as he played a pivotal role in the Reds' good form at the business end of the season.
Centre-forward - Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur)
One of the best strikers in world football, Harry Kane has dominated the headlines in recent weeks.
The 27-year-old was in sensational form during the 2020-21 season and topped the league for goals and assists. Tottenham Hotspur endured a poor league campaign, but without Kane's contributions, it is hard to envisage Spurs' position in the league table. The England international made 35 league appearances, scoring 23 goals and providing 14 assists.
There have been reliable reports that Kane wants to leave Tottenham Hotspur in the summer. Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea are said to be interested in signing the striker, who will not come cheap.
Left-winger - Jack Grealish (Aston Villa)
Aston Villa captain and talisman Jack Grealish was one of the Premier League's best players this time around.
The 25-year-old is an excellent dribbler and chance creator, while he is also one of the most exciting players to watch on his day. He made 26 Premier League appearances, scoring six goals and providing 10 assists. His absence due to injury earlier this year showed how crucial he is to Dean Smith's side as the Villains struggled to perform consistently.
Grealish has been linked with some of the biggest clubs in the world for some time now. Manchester United, Manchester City and Arsenal are all said to be interested in his services.
Honorable Mentions: Son Heung-Min (Tottenham Hotspur), Edinson Cavani (Manchester United), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton), Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City), Patrick Bamford (Leeds United), Jamie Vardy (Leicester City), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United)
Also Read: 10 best players in the world this season (2020/21)
