As the Premier League season draws to an end, the awards session is set to roll in.
Here are the players in contention for a spot in this year’s team of the season:
Nick Pope (GK)
The Burnley shot-stopper has enjoyed another splendid campaign in between the sticks. He currently leads the race for this year’s Golden Glove after his 15th shutout at Carrow Road. His performances this season should see him become the Three Lions’ starting goalkeeper which says a lot.
Alisson Becker (GK)
The Brazilian’s start to the season was disrupted by injuries but he has since recovered to resume normal service in goal. Despite missing nine games, he’s currently two behind in the Golden Glove race. He also boasts the best save percentage in the league.
Dean Henderson (GK)
Not so often do we see newly-promoted teams make a seamless transition to Premier League life like Sheffield have done. The Blades are on course for European qualification and thanks in no small part, to Henderson. Like Alisson, he’s also two behind in a heated race for the Golden Glove.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (RB)
No surprises here. Arnold has followed up his impressive 2018/19 campaign with yet another stellar season. He was the main creative force for the Reds as they romped to a first-ever Premier League title.
Caglar Soyuncu (CB)
Soyuncu has been a real revelation in the Premier League this season. The Turk got his chance to play due to Harry Maguire’s departure and he has certainly not disappointed. However, his season has ended in anti-climatic fashion as his red card against Bournemouth means he will miss the remaining fixtures. Nonetheless, it has undoubtedly been a fantastic season.
Virgil van Dijk (CB)
No prizes for guessing this one. The Dutchman has not disappointed on the back of winning the PFA POTY last season. His commanding presence and leadership at the back certainly helped Jurgen Klopp’s men en route eventual success.
James Tarkowski (CB)
At the heart of the Clarets’ defence that has been frugal all season long is Tarkowski. He has been solid all season, partnering with Ben Mee which has been key in Burnley’s excellent season. It shouldn’t be long before a bigger club comes for his services.
Andrew Robertson (LB)
Another unsurprising selection here. Robertson has continued his deadly pairing with Arnold as Liverpool’s most creative outlets. The duo are arguably the best full-back pairing in the world.
Jordan Henderson (CM)
The Englishman has enjoyed a fantastic last 12 months, lifting the Champions League and with a Premier League title to follow next week. Liverpool lost many key players in the course of the season but his absence had the greatest effect. Such is his importance to the champions. He, alongside Kelvin de Bruyne, are the frontrunners for this year’s PFA POTY.
Kelvin de Bruyne (CM)
Simply phenomenal. In a season where Man City have blown hot and cold, he has been excellent from start to finish. He leads the division in terms of assists and is one of only two players into double digits for both goals and assists. Big favourite for the PFA POTY award.
Sadio Mane (LW)
After winning the Golden Boot last season, the Senegalese has continued his goalscoring exploits, scoring 17 times in the league this season. Coupled with the fact that his goals have been worth the most points for the champions, it’s not hard to see why he makes the list.
Mohammed Salah (RW)
Like Mane, Salah also won the top scorer award last season and has not dropped standards this season. The Egyptian is on the verge of a third consecutive 20-goal season since his return to the Premier League.
Danny Ings (CF)
20 goals for a striker is a wonderful return by any standard. Take into account that he scored all of them from open play and it shows how brilliant Ings has been this season. Having put his injury worries behind him, the ex-Liverpool man has served up a reminder of what took him to Anfield in the first place.
Jamie Vardy (CF)
The “Vardy party” has been on for most parts of the current campaign. He recently joined the exclusive list of players with a century of Premier League goals. Quite remarkable considering the fact that he only made his debut six years ago. He’s currently on course to emerge as this season’s top scorer.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (CF)
In each of the last four seasons, only four players have hit 20+ league goals in Europe’s top five leagues. Usual suspects; Messi and Ronaldo, are joined by Lewandowski and Aubameyang. Such is the elite company which the Gabonese is keeping.
He also became the first Gunner to score 20 league goals in back to back seasons since Thierry Henry. As his contracts winds down, Arsenal will be doing themselves a massive favour if they can hold on to him.
