Bruno Fernandes forces his way into Premier League XI of the season
Bruno Fernandes has been playing deep enough for us to stick him in central midfield in the Premier League best XI.
Liverpool have three representatives. And they’re all out of contract this summer.
This is based on WhoScored ratings and at this stage, every player must have started at least 20 Premier League games.
GOALKEEPER: Mark Flekken (Brentford)
Brentford have had a more-than-decent Premier League season but only Southampton have conceded more shots on target, so Flekken has made the most saves. The real goalkeeper of the season is probably Matz Sels, though he does not top our goalkeeper ranking.
RIGHT-BACK: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)
Did not add to his two goals and six assists as Liverpool finally edged past Southampton but had his best dribbling game of the season and had five shots.
CENTRE-BACK: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
The centre-half of the season? He passes the eye test as well as the stats test. Our friend Clive Tyldesley thinks he is more important than Mo Salah.
CENTRE-BACK: James Tarkowski (Everton)
Everton have conceded fewer goals than Man City this season and a key reason is Tarkowski, who tackles more than any other centre-half and also ranks highly for blocks, clearances and interceptions. He is a busy boy.
LEFT-BACK: Antonee Robinson (Fulham)
Ten Premier League assists are what catches the eye, but he has also made more tackles than any other left-back this season. It is surely only a matter of time before he joins a club in Europe. But that club probably won’t be Liverpool.
CENTRAL MIDFIELD: Bruno Fernandes (Man Utd)
Playing in a more withdrawn role in recent weeks, we have little choice but to finally include Fernandes after he made it eight goals and nine assists for the season. Manchester United really are Bruno Fernandes FC.
CENTRAL MIDFIELD: Youri Tielemans
Had an unexpectedly brilliant season in that Aston Villa midfield and claims his place back in this XI after a hard-fought win over Brentford that saw him called into serious defensive duty.
RIGHT WING: Mo Salah (Liverpool)
The Premier League’s best ever winger? The stats would suggest so. And this season he has scored 27 goals and claimed 17 assists, adding another two goals v Southampton. He is nailed on for the PFA Player of the Year award.
ATTACKING MIDFIELD: Cole Palmer (Chelsea)
No goals or assists since mid-January but Palmer still has 20 goal contributions. He stays in this XI because he is consistently taking shots and making chances, even if none of them are currently being taken.
LEFT WING: Matheus Cunha (Wolves)
Arsenal-linked forwards Cunha and Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo have been crucial for their respective clubs this season and have similar match ratings. They faced off last month and Cunha came out on top, scoring the only goal of the game against 10-man Cherries.
STRIKER: Alexander Isak (Newcastle United)
Newcastle cannot afford to sell a striker who now has 19 league goals for the season. He is amazing and it’s no surprise Arsenal want him.