Premier League Team of the Year: Who makes the cut?

The end of the season is fast approaching, so it’s high-time we discussed who might be making the Premier League Team of the Year.

Last season champions Leicester City dominated along with Tottenham, as each side saw four players named in the star XI.

The Foxes are unlikely to see a repeat this season, with Chelsea set to steal the show.

So, who might make the team this time around? Here’s how we think it might look…

GK – Thibaut Courtois

David de Gea has had the goalkeeper’s spot all to himself for the last two seasons, but we wouldn’t be surprised to see Thibaut Courtois edge it this year.

The Belgian has done little wrong for Chelsea this term, and has kept three clean sheets more than either De Gea or Tottenham’s Hugo Lloris.

DF – Kyle Walker

With Hector Bellerin suffering from  a lack of form and injuries, Kyle Walker is a shoo-in to be named top right-back for the second time in his career.

Walker has been a powerhouse down Tottenham’s right flank, and has supplied a tidy six assists.

Barring a one-game suspension, the Englishman has missed just 75 minutes of Spurs’ season and is large reason why they boast the joint-best defence in the league.

DF – David Luiz

The difference in David Luiz during his second stint at Stamford Bridge is simply remarkable.

There are still brief moments of the old erratic Luiz, but this is a smarter, more experienced defender who is revelling in Antonio Conte’s three-man back-line.

The Brazilian hasn’t missed a minute for the Blues since making his second-debut in September, and he’s a huge reason why Chelsea have the joint-best defence.

DF – Toby Alderweireld / Jan Vertonghen

We can’t call it between these two. And in truth, it wouldn’t be a surprise if both Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen made the Premier League’s XI, for the Belgian duo have again been superb.

When both fit, Spurs have racked up a superb 2.4 points per game this season, which over a 38-game campaign, equates to a title-winning 91 points.

And when either one has been absent, that ratio plummets to 1.69. That tells you everything.

DF – James Milner

The evergreen James Milner ional has done a fine job in an unorthodox role for Liverpool this year.

Jurgen Klopp has tasked him with a role to which he isn’t best accustomed, and the England international has outperformed most natural left-backs this season.

Tottenham’s Danny Rose would have been a contender here, but injury has ruled him out of the running.

MF – N’Golo Kante

N’Golo Kante hasn’t just raised the bar for what’s expected of a defensive midfielder, he’s completely re-written the rule book.

Very few players have won the Premier League in successive seasons with different teams, and it tells you everything about Kante’s impact at Leicester and Chelsea.

The move from east Midlands to west London has arguably only made Kante a better player, and the man who is simply everywhere on the pitch is sure to be in the team of the year.

MF – Eden Hazard

While Kante has been doing the dirty work, Eden Hazard has been back to his scintillating best for Chelsea, and boy have they benefitted from that.

When running with the ball at pace, few players in the world are more enjoyable to watch or more difficult to defend against than the Belgian.

And with 11 goals and four assists this term, Hazard is storming into the team of the year for the fourth time in five seasons.

MF – Dele Alli

Tottenham and England will hope that this season is a sign of things to come for Dele Alli, who has enjoyed a sterling campaign with 14 goals and four assists.

Developing a superb sense of movement off the ball, Alli has done wonders to take the goal burden away from Harry Kane, and his ability was only too evident when netting both goals in the 2-0 victory over Champions-elect Chelsea in January.

Still only 20, the future is incredibly bright for a player who is already so very talented.

MF – Sadio Mane

We fancy one of Liverpool’s three forwards will make the XI, but of Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane, the latter gets our nod.

With 12 goals and six assists the former Southampton ace has been Jurgen Klopp’s most productive forward.

It says plenty that Liverpool have failed to win all three Premier League games where Mane has been absent, while the Reds also fell to Southampton in the EFL Cup without their rapid and powerful striker.

ST – Diego Costa

We reckon Diego Costa is one of the few modern-day players who would have excelled in the rough and tumble eras of years gone by.

The Chelsea hitman has been at his petulant, stroppy, physical best this season, firing in 17 goals.

But with five assists, it’s his team-play which has really allowed both himself and Chelsea to excel this season.

ST – Romelu Lukaku

We thought about Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Harry Kane here, but we’re handing the final spot to Everton’s Romelu Lukaku.

Leading the Premier League goalscorer race on 21, the Belgian is enjoying his best season yet and is on course to hit well over 25 before the campaign is over.

Arguably Kane has been the better player this term, but injuries mean he may not play more than 25 games.

Agree with our choices? Who do you think should be in the Premier League’s Team of the Year? Let us know in the comments box below!

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing