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Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne miss out on GOAL's Premier League team of the season

Haaland Erling Haaland

Sat, 18 May 2024 Source: goal.com

No Erling Haaland or Kevin De Bruyne as Arsenal earn twice as many nods as

The Norwegian is set to win this season's Golden Boot, but there is no room for him in our all-star line-up

And so, the end is near, with the final curtain set to come down on the 2023-24 Premier League campaign on Sunday. We don't yet know the identity of the champions, of course, with Manchester City and Arsenal still locked in a titanic title tussle. And while Luton are effectively doomed to relegation, along with Burnley and Sheffield United, there are also European places still up for grabs.

However, GOAL's Premier League Team of the Season is already decided - and there are a few selections that are bound to cause controversy. For starters, there's no room for either Erling Haaland or Kevin De Bruyne, while City only have half as many representatives as Arsenal. We've also included a couple of players from teams in the bottom half of the table.

So, check out our line-up below and be sure to tell us what you think in the comments section!

GK: Jordan Pickford (Everton)

David Raya has already won this season's Golden Glove, having kept 16 clean sheets thus far, but Jordan Pickford managing just three shut-outs fewer is an even more impressive achievement, given Everton were locked in a relegation battle up until a few weeks ago.

The England international has had a couple of dodgy games (which keeper hasn't this season?!) and has been helped out by the sterling efforts of James Tarkowski and Jarrad Brantwaithe in front of him, but Pickford continually came to his team's rescue when they needed him most.

RB: Ben White (Arsenal)

Is Ben White's fine form down to his decision to make himself unavailable for international duty? Hard to say. All we know for sure is that the versatile defender has played a pivotal role in Arsenal's title challenge, scoring four goals, and registering as many assists.

It's a real shame for England's Euro 2024 campaign that Gareth Southgate won't have the option of pairing him on the right flank with Bukayo Saka this summer.

CB: William Saliba (Arsenal)

Anyone else get the feeling that Arsenal might have won the league last season had they not lost their fantastic Frenchman to injury?!

William Saliba has been utterly integral to the Gunners maintaining this year's title challenge. No other player in the Premier League has been involved in as many clean sheets (16), while the ridiculously composed centre-back also ranks second among defenders for possession won. In short, a class act.

CB: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)

The Dutchman's reign as Liverpool captain didn't get off to the best of starts, with Van Dijk dismissed for a clumsy foul in the come-from-behind win over Newcastle back in August. However, the veteran centre-back recovered wonderfully well from that setback and dismissed all suggestions that he was past his best by producing a string of almost-flawless displays for Liverpool that earned him a deserved nomination for Player of the Season.

The Reds' backline still has plenty of problems but Van Dijk, as it turns out, is far from "finished".

LB: Antonee Robinson (Fulham)

Hardly a vintage year for Premier League left-backs, but Robinson has had a cracking campaign that has only boosted his chances of securing a summer transfer to one of England's elite. The 26-year-old has certainly developed into one of the most complete full-backs in the top tier.

As well as contributing six assists to Fulham's cause, the United States international has also been outstanding defensively. No player has won possession more times (225) or made more interceptions (78).

CM: Martin Odegaard (Arsenal)

A complete footballer whose innovation is only matched by his industry, the Norwegian has done a magnificent job leading Arsenal's title challenge. Odegaard ranks third for chances created in this season's Premier League (95), while he's also been directly involved in 16 of his team's goals.

It might have taken longer than expected, but the former prodigy has proven himself one of the best midfielders in the game.

CM: Rodri (Manchester City)

Shockingly overlooked for the Premier League Player of the Year shortlist, but a shoo-in for our combined XI. Rodri was involved in 16 goals, scoring seven himself from the defensive midfield role he has mastered.

Put quite simply, Rodri is Manchester City's best and most important player - as underlined by the fact that Pep Guardiola's side lost only three of the four league games the 27-year-old missed this season.

CM: Declan Rice (Arsenal)

Arsenal paid an extortionate amount of money to sign England international Declan Rice from West Ham, but they'll feel he's proven himself worth every penny by helping Mikel Arteta's men sustain a Premier League title challenge.

Rice has done an immense job helping the Gunners control games with his ability to both win and retain possession, while also weighing in with seven goals and eight assists. The incredible thing is that he could be even better next season!

RW: Phil Foden (Manchester City)

We've known for years that 'The Stockport Iniesta' is a special talent. Guardiola even compared him favourably to a young Lionel Messi, for crying out loud! But the Catalan carefully managed Phil Foden's game time for years and his patient approach has paid off.

Foden is most people's Player of the Season, with the fleet-footed England international contributing 17 goals and eight assists to the City's championship charge.

CF: Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)

Erling Haaland may have scored more goals, but he's not played anywhere near the same level as Ollie Watkins, whose awesome all-round game is one of the main reasons why Aston Villa have qualified for the Champions League for the first time in over 40 years.

The England international has netted 19 times and also racked up 13 assists - no other Premier League player has been directly involved in more goals. A fantastic forward and the perfect understudy for Harry Kane in Germany.

LW: Cole Palmer (Chelsea)

Manchester City don't make a lot of mistakes in the transfer market, but allowing Cole Palmer to join Chelsea was certainly one of them. The 22-year-old has proven himself a top-class talent at Stamford Bridge, where he has regularly carried those around him.

With an amazing 32 league goal involvements, the £40 million ($50m) signing has not only made his fee look like an absolute steal, but he's also propelled himself into contention to make the England squad for Euro 2024.

Source: goal.com