Liverpool forward pair make Premier League best-rated XI
And so, another Premier League season draws to a close. With almost the last kick of the campaign, Manchester City became the first team in a 38-match season to reach the 100-point mark and broke records left, right and centre in a memorable nine months for Pep Guardiola’s side. As might one expect, they have representation in our Premier League team of the season, with creative star Kevin De Bruyne the shining light.
The Belgian was top for key passes (106) and assists (16) in England’s top tier this term as he controlled proceedings for this unstoppable City machine. Indeed, De Bruyne earned a better WhoScored.com rating (7.80) than any other top-flight player to make more than 25 league starts this season. Compatriot Eden Hazard stars alongside De Bruyne in the midfield. Chelsea may have faltered in their title defence, but it wasn’t for want of trying from the 27-year-old. The Blues may have been forced to settle for a Europa League finish, yet Hazard was predictably excellent, scoring 12 goals, registering two assists and and completing more dribbles (165) than any other Premier League player.
Raheem Sterling is the second of City’s two players and was one of five Premier League players to register double figures for goals (18) and assists (11), with the England international ending the campaign with a WhoScored.com rating of 7.55, just edging out teammate Leroy Sane (7.54) on the left. Mohamed Salah rounds off the midfield with the Egyptian in flying form in his debut campaign with Liverpool. The 25-year-old scored more goals (32) than any other Premier League player this season, becoming the record scorer in a 38-match campaign in the process, with his flying from in the final third earning a WhoScored.com rating of 7.69.
Salah’s 32-goal haul meant Harry Kane failed to land the Golden Boot for the third successive season, yet it wasn’t for want of trying from the Tottenham star. He was top for shots (184) in England’s top tier this term and his 30 league goals helped return a WhoScored.com rating of 7.59. Liverpool star Roberto Firmino partners Kane in attack, with the Brazilian chipping in with 15 goals and seven assists for the Reds. His fine work off the ball also drew praise, with Firmino winning possession in the attacking third 29 times this season, a return bettered only by De Bruyne (34).
A London-based pair make up the centre-back partnership, with James Tomkins hugely impressive at the heart of the Crystal Palace defence. With Roy Hodgson working wonders following his appointment on the back of the Eagles’ dire start to the campaign, Tomkins was influential at the back with his clearances per game (7.8) the third most in the Premier League this term. Tottenham man, and One Hotspur Player of the Year, Jan Vertonghen partners Tomkins at centre-back having made 1.8 tackles, 1.7 interceptions and 4.7 clearances per game this season to help return a WhoScored.com rating of 7.26.
Arsenal ace Nacho Monreal features at left-back in this best-rated XI following a solid season for the Gunners. The 32-year-old enjoyed arguably his finest campaign to date for Arsenal as he scored five and assisted two in Arsene Wenger’s final season at the Emirates Stadium. Returns of 1.9 tackles and two interceptions per game yielded a WhoScored.com rating of 7.13, enough to make the cut. Antonio Valencia features on the opposite flank following another consistent season for Manchester United. The right-back earned a WhoScored.com rating of 7.07 to feature in this best XI, with three goals, one assist, 1.8 tackles and 1.5 interceptions per game contributing to that score.
Burnley goalkeeper Nick Pope rounds off the best rated XI for the 2017/18 Premier League season, with the England hopeful helping himself to a WhoScored.com rating of 6.93. The 26-year-old impressed after coming into the side in the wake of Tom Heaton’s shoulder injury sustained back in September with his save success rate (75.5%) the second best in England’s top tier. He ranked top for successful cross claims (52) and highly for clean sheets (11) and saves (114) and he certainly deserves his place in this side, even if that is at the expense of David De Gea (6.83).
