Three Man City players make Sofascore’s Premier League Best XI after clinching the title – but one BIG name is missing – while two Arsenal stars qualify… and who got the highest score?
After Manchester City won a 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 with a 3-1 victory that sparked wild scenes at the final whistle.
Phil Foden scored a sensational brace and Rodri scored the third to ease any lingering nerves after Mohammed Kudus hooked an acrobatic effort for the visitors.
In the end, City finished top of the table with 91 points, with Mikel Arteta’s side just two points behind and agonizingly missing out on a first title in two decades.
But who made the best XI of a memorable campaign? Sports Mail have a look…
Manchester City won the Premier League title for the fourth year in a row after beating West Ham
Phil Foden (left), Erling Haaland (centre) and Kevin De Bruyne (right) played for the champions
Arsenal, inspired by Martin Odegaard (left), Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka (right), missed out
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 striker impressed after keeping four clean sheets and making a string of superb saves.
West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola impressed between the sticks and was rated 7.36
CENTRAL BACK – JAMES TARKOWSKI (EVERTON) – 7.32
It has been a testing campaign for Everton but against all odds, and after a points deduction Sean Dyche led them to safety. Dyche tightened his side at the back and James Tarkowski skillfully gathered his teammates together in a show of resistance.
James Tarkowski stood firm for Everton and helped the club secure top-level security
CENTRAL BACK – VIRGIL VAN DIJK (LIVERPOOL) – 7.38
Who else could it be? Liverpool may have fallen off the radar in Jurgen Klopp’s final season, but Virgil van Dijk, once again, showed he is among the best of the best. He delivered a host of performances worthy of the captain’s armband.
Virgil van Dijk once again delivered a string of captaincy performances for Liverpool
CENTRAL 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 master the rigors of the Premier League. But once he settled in, he excelled and even scored many crucial goals.
Josko Gvardiol took time to settle in but dazzled the champions after finding his feet
CENTRAL MIDFIELD – MARTIN ODEGAARD – 7.67
Two points were enough to separate Martin Odegaard from the Premier League trophy. Silky smooth, the playmaker seemed to glide across the pitch and was instrumental in Arsenal’s courageous title run. Maybe next season he will finally do better.
Martin Odegaard narrowly missed out on the Premier League trophy by just two points
CENTRAL MIDFIELD – RODRI (MAN CITY) – 8.01
It was fitting that Rodri scored City’s final league goal of the season. A midfield anchor and human metronome capable of stretching opponents and digging holes, he’s Pep Guardiola’s perfect player and the highest-rated star in this XI – despite not even making the shortlist Premier League Player of the Year.
Rodri scored City’s final league goal of the season and is the highest-rated player in this XI.
RIGHT WING – BUKAYO SAKA (ARSENAL) – 7.72
With 16 goals and nine assists to his name, Bukayo Saka simply had to qualify. He has gone from strength to strength under Arteta and has dazzled once again on the right. Blessed with superb dribbling and a cutting edge, he is a stylish winger.
Bukayo Saka has scored 16 Premier League goals and has gone from strength to strength
ATTACKING MIDI – COLE PALMER (CHELSEA) – 7.70
Insert your “cold” Palmer jokes here. It has been a truly exceptional campaign for the young playmaker. He has been the one real consistent positive during a roller coaster season for Chelsea and has almost single-handedly dragged them towards European football.
Cole Palmer almost single-handedly dragged Chelsea into a European football final
ATTACKING MIDFIELD – PHIL FODEN (MAN CITY) – 7.79
Phil Foden won the Premier League Player of the Season award last week. This will look comfortable sitting next to his high-flying winner’s medal. He was electric and scored 19 goals in his best campaign to date. The sky is the limit for him.
Phil Foden was named Premier League player of the season before winning the title again.
LEFT WING – EBERECHI EZE (CRYSTAL PALACE) – 7.58
Since Oliver Glasner’s arrival at Crystal Palace, Eberchi Eze has treated the Premier League like a toy. He terrorized defenders and haunted goalkeepers, with his dancing tricks and razor-sharp decision-making placing him among the best.
Eberechi Eze has found a new lease of life under Oliver Glasner at Crystal Palace this campaign
FORWARD – BRUNO FERNANDES (MAN UNITED) – 7.75
An interesting choice in attack but Bruno Fernandes has indeed sometimes acted as a false nine for Manchester United. He is the elite’s most creative influence. Without him, United would certainly have been well below eighth place.
Without Bruno Fernandes, Manchester United would certainly have finished below eighth place
