With the Premier League season drawing to a close, the team of the season has become a talking point, from Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher on Monday Night Football to Ben Mee posting his official selection on Twitter. But what do the stats say?
WhoScored.com have released their team of the season based on the highest average stat across the season to date (there still is some games left but it feels unlikely to change now), and it has led to a very interesting XI.
The sole Arsenal representative is Bukayo Saka, which means thereβs no space for Martin Odegaard, who both Neville and Carra had in their sides. It seems harsh given the Gunnersβ excellent season for much of the season but it is what it is.
Champions Manchester City have three players, Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland unsurprisingly being two of them. The third is Jack Grealish, who in fairness has played a huge role in Cityβs stunning second half of the season.
With it being a 4-4-2 formation and Bruno Fernandes being selected, thereβs no room for Rodri, another player selected in the MNF XI.
Fernandes is joined by teammate Luke Shaw, who is part of a somewhat rogue back four consisting of Newcastle duo Kieran Trippier and Fabian Schar and Brentfordβs Lewis Pinnock. Trippier has been the standout right back but again itβs interesting to see what the stats guys say when it comes to performance this season.
The team is rounded off by David Raya in nets and Harry Kane up front. It is likely to come as scant consolation for the England skipper whose Spurs side are set to miss Europe despite his 28 league goals.
Check out the team and ratings below.
It will be fascinating to see which players are selected by their peers for the team of the season, which should be announced in the next week or so.