Premier League Team of the Season- A different version

The PFA Team of the Season has been announced and it's fair to say that the players in the side are involved with teams near the top. This is no surprise as the likes of Chelsea and Tottenham are represented heavily in the team. Players playing for the top teams who are doing well, are bound to get more recognition than others, however there are some players that have been overlooked.

Here is my own take on the PFA Team of the Season:

Rule: No more than one player from the same club

I do know that by picking certain players, I can not pick players who are also deserving of the selection. Expect some controversy.......

Goalkeeper- Jordan Pickford (Sunderland)

I think Jordan Pickford is a very good goalkeeper for his age. In a very poor Sunderland side he has been one of the highlights producing quality saves and performances when his team needed it. Pickford this season has made 120 saves in total, which is the second highest in the league. In my opinion, Sunderland will have a huge battle to keep Pickford over the summer as there will be a host of Premier League clubs after his services. It has been reported that Everton are in for a £17m bid for the young keeper.

Right Back- Antonio Valencia (Manchester United)

Antonio Valencia has established himself as Manchester United's first choice right back. He first came to United as a winger and has transitioned himself into a right back and has performed consistently well this season. His running and high energy fits the skills of a modern day right back and he has created 32 chances for his team this season.

Centre back- Steve Cook (AFC Bournemouth)

My original choice was Ashley Williams but then I realised there is a certain striker I needed. I decided to opt for Steve Cook. Cook who has been ever present in Bournemouth's survival campaign, is top of the stats board in clearances and headed clearances. Cook has started every single Premier League game this season, which shows how vital he is to the Cherries back four.

Centre back- Michael Keane (Burnley)

I will be very surprised if Michael Keane is still a Burnley player at the start of next season. That being said, his performances and ability has definitely made people stand up and take notice of his talents on and off the pitch. His performances have also caught the eye of England manager Gareth Southgate who gave Keane his international debut against Germany.

Left Back - Erik Pieters (Stoke City)

This position was extremely difficult to nail down. I could have picked Danny Rose easily but that would mean I could not pick the likes of Kane and Alli. If I went for Alonso of Chelsea, that means no Hazard or Kante potentially (see what I mean about controversy). I have gone for Erik Pieters. Pieters has made 102 tackles in the Premier League this season, helping his team defensively in the process.

Right midfielder- Sadio Mane (Liverpool)

This was an easy choice. Sadio Mane in my opinion has been Liverpool's best player this season and has made the difference when his team has needed him. Signed for £35m from Southampton last summer, Mane has used his devastating pace to help Liverpool in their top 4 push. When Sadio is out of the team, Liverpool may have the likes of Firmino who can step up. However, there is that element of pace which Mane brings that allows Klopps team to be more fluid in the final third.

Centre midfielder- N'golo Kante (Chelsea)

Last season, majority of the praise went to Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy for Leicester's title win. This season, we have seen the man who was the glue that held everything together. Kante left Leicester in the summer and has become one of the World's best in the holding midfield role under Antonio Conte and Chelsea. Leicester's team this season has been effected so much by the loss of Kante. Kante has already picked up the PFA and Football Writers player of the year this season. He is also set to win back to back Premier League titles in his first two seasons in English football.

With this pick I can not pick Eden Hazard

Centre midfielder- Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur)

"We've got Alli" as the chant goes and Tottenham truly have a star on their hands. In the space of a couple of years, Dele Alli has become one of the hottest players in European football. His performances this season has led him to pick up the PFA Young Player of the year award. Alli has notched up 17 goals from midfield, with vital goals coming in the big games against Chelsea and Arsenal respectively.

Left midfielder - Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal)

There is plenty of speculation surrounding Alexis Sanchez at the minute to whether he leaves or stays at Arsenal. There is one thing for sure though, he is definitely world class. Arsenal's leading scorer often operating as either a striker or left winger, Sanchez has proved his worth with 19 goals and 9 assists this season. If he does leave, Arsenal and the Premier League itself would have lost a truly great player.

Striker- Romelu Lukaku (Everton)

Romelu Lukaku has had a fantastic season. The key behind Everton's European push, Lukaku has scored 24 goals this season and looks set to win the golden boot. For me, he is the Complete striker; power, pace, strength and lethal finishing makes him so great to watch. It will be tough for Everton to keep him, considering he just rejected a new contract and he wants to play in the Champions League. 

Striker- Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)

It's such a crime that Sergio Aguero has never made the team of the season award. Consistently speaking Aguero has been the best striker in the Premier League for quite a while now and his goal record proves it. 120 league goals in 178 appearances and an average of 20 goals a season. This season Aguero, has contributed 18 goals to his team and while City will be looking to do better next season, this man will certainly be at the forefront of it.

That's my version of the Team of the Season. Let me know who you would pick instead and make sure you follow the rule as well.

Thank you for reading

Nathan Best