After Manchester City won a record fourth consecutive Premier League title, three of their imperious players have been named in Sofascore’s best XI of the season.
Locked in a final day dogfight with Arsenal, City had to beat West Ham at the Etihad and duly did so courtesy of a 3-1 win that sparked wild scenes at the final whistle.
Phil Foden scored a sensational brace and Rodri netted the third to settle lingering nerves after Mohammed Kudus had hooked in an acrobatic effort for the visitors.
In the end, City finished on top of the pile with 91 points with Mikel Arteta’s side just two points adrift and agonisingly missing out on a first title in two decades.
But who made the best XI from a memorable campaign? Mail Sport takes a look…
GOALKEEPER – ALPHONSE AREOLA (WEST HAM) – 7.36
Perhaps surprisingly, West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola lines up between the sticks. The Hammers may have missed out on European football but their stopper impressed after keeping four clean sheets and making a string of superb saves.
CENTRE BACK – JAMES TARKOWSKI (EVERTON) – 7.32
It has been a testing campaign for Everton but against the odds, and after a points deduction, Sean Dyche led them to safety. Dyche tightened his side up at the back and James Tarkowski expertly marshalled his team-mates in a show of resistance.
CENTRE BACK – VIRGIL VAN DIJK (LIVERPOOL) – 7.38
Who else could it be? Liverpool may have dropped off the radar in Jurgen Klopp’s final season in charge but Virgil van Dijk, yet again, showed he is among the best of the best. He delivered a host of performances worthy of the captain’s armband.
CENTRE BACK – JOSKO GVARDIOL (MAN CITY) – 7.40
It was a season of two halves for Josko Gvardiol. Initially, he looked exposed at left back and struggled to get to grips with the rigours of the Premier League. But after settling in he excelled and even scored a hatful of crucial goals to boot.
CENTRAL MIDFIELDER – MARTIN ODEGAARD – 7.67
Two points were all that separated Martin Odegaard and the Premier League trophy. Silky smooth, the playmaker seemed to glide across the pitch and was influential to Arsenal’s brave title charge. Perhaps next season, he will finally go one better.
CENTRAL MIDFIELDER – RODRI (MAN CITY) – 8.01
It was fitting that Rodri scored City’s final goal in the Premier League. An anchor in midfield and a human metronome capable of stretching opponents and fashioning out holes, he is the perfect Pep Guardiola player and the best rated star in this XI.
RIGHT WINGER – BUKAYO SAKA (ARSENAL) – 7.72
With 16 goals and nine assists to his name, Bukayo Saka simply had to make the cut. He has progressed from strength to strength under Arteta and dazzled yet again out on the right. Blessed with superb dribbling and cutting edge, he is a classy winger.
ATTACKING MIDFIELDER – COLE PALMER (CHELSEA) – 7.70
Insert your ‘Cold’ Palmer jokes here. It has been a truly outstanding campaign for the young playmaker. He has been the only real consistent positive in a rollercoaster season for Chelsea and almost single-handedly dragged them to European football.
ATTACKING MIDFIELDER – PHIL FODEN (MAN CITY) – 7.79
Phil Foden took home the Premier League’s Player of the Season award last week. That will look cozy sat next to his top-flight winner’s medal. He has been electric and scored 19 goals in his best campaign to date. The sky is the limit for him.
LEFT WINGER – EBERECHI EZE (CRYSTAL PALACE) – 7.58
Since Oliver Glasner’s arrival at Crystal Palace, Eberchi Eze has treated the Premier League like a plaything. He has terrorised defenders and haunted goalkeepers, with his dancing trickery and razor-sharp decision making placing him among the best.
STRIKER – BRUNO FERNANDES (MAN UNITED) – 7.75
An interesting choice up front but Bruno Fernandes has indeed operated as Manchester United’s false nine at times. He is the most creative influence in the top-flight. Without him, United would certainly have been much lower than eighth.
