Neville, Carra name Premier League Team of the Season
Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher have named their Premier League Teams of the Season.
Both Sky Sports pundits predictably packed their sides players from the top two of champions Chelsea and runners-up Tottenham.
Neville named six Chelsea players and four from Tottenham, while Carragher picked four from each. Six players were chosen in both sides.
Carragher explained his selections thus: “De Gea – I still think he’s the best goalkeeper in the world right now, it’s close with Neuer.
“That back three we’ve spoken about at Chelsea, with Luiz and Azpilicueta. One of the Tottenham centre-backs had to be in it – it was a toss-up between Alderweireld and Vertonghen.
“Kante holding, Silva in that role just tucked in on the left where he’s been playing for Manchester City – a real revelation.
“Him and Eriksen – how many goals Eriksen has created from that inside right channel.
“Alli behind the front three. One of the players of the season, forget his age, he’s been outstanding this season.”
JAMIE'S TEAM OF THE SEASON: @Carra23 has plumped for the fashionable 3-4-3 system! Live on Sky Sports 1 HD now: https://t.co/hUQvITeiKB pic.twitter.com/TdUhyV1Ecl
— Sky Sports MNF ⚽️ (@SkySportsMNF) May 15, 2017
Carragher later clarified that his team would be set out in a diamond formation, not with Eriksen and Silva as nominal wing-backs.
One of the few disagreements the two pundits had was over the goalkeeper. Neville explained:
“I went for Courtois, not because I think he’s overall a better keeper than De Gea, I think he’s just had a better season.
“I went for Danny Rose at left-back. Even though he’s missed some of the season he’s been outstanding. I think Tottenham’s back four needed representing well in the team of the season.
“Costa, you could argue he’s tailed off a little bit, but from my point of view his resurgence this season – he’s just a brilliant centre forward.
“I’ve gone for De Bruyne because his quality in a wide position is far and above anyone in the league.
“There’s more he can do, similar to Hazard, I think they’ve both got that step up in them.”
GARY'S TEAM OF THE SEASON: @GNev2 has gone for a 4-4-2 for his side. Live on Sky Sports 1 HD now: https://t.co/hUQvITeiKB pic.twitter.com/xwSNO4AzMv
— Sky Sports MNF ⚽️ (@SkySportsMNF) May 15, 2017