My Premier League Team of the Season.

With the Premier league Team of the Season dropping on Fifa 23 today, I thought I would give my starting XI for this season (My Team of the Season) and a few reasons why I have picked these players.

Please take in to account, there are a few positions which could have been interchangeable but this is MY opinion.

The Back five:

Starting in goal, I have chosen Nick Pope as my Premier league GK of the season. Pope has kept 13 clean sheets in 33 appearances, has a save percent of 76.2% and has lead Newcastle into 3rd place in the Premier league with their outstanding defensive record. Of course Ramsdale is a huge contender as he has been excellent for Arsenal but for me Pope takes the spot.

The fullbacks I have gone for are Kieran Trippier and Oleksandr Zinchenko. Kieran Trippier having a similar defensive shout as Nick Pope due to Newcastle's outstanding defensive record, but also Trippier has offered 6 assists and 1 goal from Right back this season, being their set piece taker and excelling in chances created posting a personal record of 97 key passes (which is nearly double his 2nd highest tally of 49 in the 2018/19 season for Tottenham).

Zinchenko has been chosen in the Left back slot, based on the tactical versatility he has added to Arsenal and the importance of his role. Arteta has based his playing style off of having an inverted fullback which is the perfect role for Zinchenko. His ability to drift inside and stitch play together for Arsenal has been fundamental for the way they play. He has also added leadership and experience to a young squad even at the age of 26.

The first Centre-back in the team is Sven Botman. Again referring back to the Newcastle defensive record, Botman has been a key factor for Newcastle being so defensively solid and leading them into a 3rd place position in the Premier league. In his first season in the Premier league, he has taken like a duck to water at the heart of the Newcastle defence.

The second Centre-back in the team is Lisandro Martinez. Another player in his first season in the Premier league making the team. Martinez has been a rock at the back for Ten Haag's Manchester united. Martinez has kept 11 clean sheets in the Premier league in 27 appearances, as well as being a key factor of how Manchester united build up from the back with his incredible passing ability.

Midfield three:

The first of the midfield three is Rodri. The 26 year old, holding midfielder is an ever present inclusion for Manchester city. His passing ability and controlling of tempo is key for Guardiola's style of play, and this is seen in Rodri's passing numbers. Attempting 91.82 passes per 90 (top 99% amongst other midfielders), having a 91.6% pass completion per 90 (top 98%) and playing 8.09 progressive passes per 90 (top 92%). Rodri's influence on the way Manchester city play is a key reason why Manchester city are on their way to lifting a 3rd Premier league title in a row.

The second midfielder in the team is Martin Odegaard. The Arsenal captain has been excellent this season, offering goals, assists and leadership, as well as his silky ability to retain possession under pressure. Odegaard has been outstanding this season, producing 0.4 goals per 90, 2.64 shots per 90, and 0.53 npxG+ xAG per 90, which all rank in the top 99% amongst other midfielders in the world. The output levels of Odegaard have vastly improved this season, scoring 14 goals and getting 7 assists (21 combined) which is his career best.

The last midfielder in the team is of course Kevin De Bruyne. A player who always seems to be in this conversation at the end of the season, De Bruyne has yet again been excellent. Similar to Odegaard, De Bruyne ranks in the top 99% for Non Penalty Goals and npxG + xAG per 90. But its the passing ability of De Bruyne that makes him so unstoppable. De Bruyne has posted 8.64 progressive passes per 90, 4.08 progressive carries and has received 8.92 progressive passes himself. His ability to occupy the half spaces, and float around creating for others is the reason De Bruyne has 16 assists this season and is leading Manchester city to a 3rd successive Premier league title.

Forward three:

The first of the forward three is Marcus Rashford. Since returning from the World cup in December, Rashford has been nothing short of electric. Scoring 12 Premier league goals since returning from the World cup, Rashford was the inform player in the league. His overall tally of 16 league goals and 5 assists in 31 appearances (21 goal contributions) is Rashford's second best season behind his 2019/20 season with 24 goal involvements in 31 appearances. Rashford has driven United into 4th place in the Premier league, and should now see out the season securing Champions league football at Old Trafford.

The second of the forward line is Bukayo Saka. Saka is enjoying his most impactful season as a professional. Contributing 13 goals and 11 assists (24 goal involvements) in 34 appearances, Saka has been incredibly impactful from both an output standpoints, as well as an all round player. He is also creating his most GCA per 90 (goal creating actions) increasing from 0.54 in the 2021/22 season to 0.79 in the 2022/23 season.

And last but not least, of course leading the line upfront is Erling Haaland. The numbers speak for themselves, 35 Premier league goals in 31 appearances. Beating the record of goals scored in a 38 game season. He has also got 7 assists this season for Manchester city as they look set to win the title. Haaland has set the league alight in his first season for Manchester city, and he doesn't look like slowing down anytime soon.

Honourable Mentions:

A few honourable mentions would be, John Stones playing in a new role towards the end of this season for Manchester city which has been pivotal to their late run of form.

Luke Shaw at Left back. Has been pivotal to the United defence playing left back, but also left centre back at times which has shown how important he is to the team. His medium and long range passing numbers have also improved, medium range passes by 4.6% from last season and long range passes by 6.2% from last season. And this passing ability has helped since Ten Haag likes to play out from the back.

Aaron Ramsdale. Already mentioned Ramsdale when talking about Pope, he has been excellent this season and has made many big saves for Arsenal, only just missed out for me.

Kaoru Mitoma. Excellent breakthrough year, exceptional dribbler, ranking in the top 95% for progressive carriers amongst wingers/attacker midfielders with 5.64 progressive carries per 90. Also recording 2.31 successful take-ons per 90 (top 85%).

And lastly Gabriel Martinelli. Enjoying his best goal scoring season by far, scoring 15 goals for Arsenal and contributing 5 assists from the left flank too. With 20 goal involvements this season, Martinelli's output has been key for Arsenal in their title challenge. Unlucky to miss out due to other excellent forwards.