THE PFA Premier League Team of the Year has been announced – with runners-up Arsenal dominating the star-studded XI.
Mikel Arteta’s Gunners fell agonisingly short in a thrilling final day of the 2023/24 season, ultimately coming up two points adrift of eight-time champs Manchester City.
The Emirates side played superbly all season – and their squad has been rewarded by their fellow pros by having no fewer than FIVE stars voted into the campaign’s best XI.
While Premier League champions Man City only have FOUR players in the line-up.
Arsenal loanee David Raya – who joined on a permanent basis from Brentford this summer- edged out Alisson between the sticks.
While top defensive duo William Saliba and Gabriel were an obvious choice at the back.
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The PFA opted for another centre-half in Virgil van Dijk to shore up the back-line.
The Liverpool captain, who finished third in Jurgen Klopp’s final season, beat title winners John Stones and Ruben Dias to the other position, with Kyle Walker in at right-back.
Rodri was named in the heart of the midfield trio, while Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard also got the nod in the XI.
That means it’s the first time since 2019 that Kevin de Bruyne has failed to make the best starting side.
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And in a repeat of last year, only FOUR clubs are represented – Arsenal, City, Liverpool and Aston Villa.
It’s the first-time Phil Foden and Ollie Watkins have been picked in the PFA XI, both notching 19 goals a piece.
And Erling Haaland jumps straight back into the PFA Premier League Team of the Year for the second successive campaign.
Foden was named the PFA Player of the Year, having already landed the Football Writers’ Association award three months ago.
Chelsea and England whiz Cole Palmer claimed the Young Player of the Year gong at the Manchester Opera House.
Haaland’s 27 goals means he nabbed the Golden Boot for the second year in a row.
Notable exemptions
Superstar Palmer – who enjoyed the best-ever Premier League debut campaign – failed to get the nod in the XI despite scoring 22 goals last term.
While Bukayo Saka also failed to make it after his form somewhat dropped off towards the end of last season.
Despite many believing De Bruyne is the greatest ever Prem midfielder, the Belgium international missed most of the early campaign through injury.
He still managed ten assists and four goals in 21 domestic appearances.
Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah is another notable exception.
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Salah struck 18 times to take his overall Premier League tally to 155, a number since raised to 156 after striking at Ipswich on Saturday.
The Egyptian star is a two-time recipient of the PFA Player of the Year award – in 2017/18 and 2021/22.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
