Premier League team of the season so far: 2023/24
We’re over halfway through the 2023/24 Premier League season, and it’s fair to say it’s been an interesting one thus far.
We’ve seen plenty of new faces rock up to the Premier League and impress (Ange Postecoglou), plenty of VAR controversies (Luis Diaz’s offside goal vs Tottenham) and, above all else, plenty brilliant performances by some of the best players in the world.
So with all that fun in mind, we at 90min have created a Premier League team of the season so far, paying homage to the best players the division has to offer.
21 games into the Premier League, the guys have picked their team of the season so far. Do you agree with it? 🧐@HarrySymeou | @jacob_culshaw | @__scottsaunders | @grizzkhan pic.twitter.com/SE2kj8c8Fq
— 90min (@90min_Football) January 23, 2024
GK: Alisson Becker (Liverpool)
There are debates to be had over who the best defender, midfielder and forward in the world are, but not when it comes to goalkeepers.
Alisson Becker is undoubtedly the best around right now, and he’s continued to prove it during the 2023/24 season.
Unsurprisingly, no goalkeeper has amassed a better save percentage than the Liverpool number one in the Premier League thus far.
RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)
Is he a midfielder?
Is he a full-back?
When you’re this good, does it even matter?
Trent Alexander-Arnold has been utilised as an inverted right-back for much of the season by Jurgen Klopp, and so far he’s expectedly done a wonderful job in a role which requires him to see a lot more of the ball than your average right-back would.
The England international has been arguably the most important player in Klopp’s title-challenging new tactical system at Anfield.
CB: William Saliba (Arsenal)
If William Saliba had stayed fit last season, Arsenal might have actually won the Premier League.
So far this season, Saliba has managed to stay fit and has continued to thoroughly impress. Very few centre-backs read and snuff out danger as well as he does.
It’s quite scary that he’s still only 22 years old.
CB: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
After struggling for a few seasons after a serious knee injury, Virgil van Dijk has been firmly back to his best in 2023/24.
The result of Van Dijk’s fine form is Liverpool challenging for the Premier League title again. Go figure.
LB: Destiny Udogie (Tottenham Hotspur)
Big things were expected of Destiny Udogie when he returned to Tottenham Hotspur following a stint on loan at Udinese, and it’s fair to say he’s delivered.
The Italian has been an utter revelation at left-back under new Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou, providing both defensive solidity and offensive threat in rare equal measure on the flank and inverting into midfield.
CM: Bernardo Silva (Manchester City)
With Kevin De Bruyne out of action for the entire first half of the season, Manchester City needed other attacking players to step up – Bernardo Silva did exactly that.
The Portugal star was exceptional for the Cityzens, bagging 10 goal contributions to keep his side within touching distance of Liverpool at the top of the table while KDB was out of action.
CM: Declan Rice (Arsenal)
Perhaps the biggest compliment one can give Declan Rice is this: despite Arsenal forking out a British record fee for his services, six months into his Gunners career absolutely no one is talking about how much he cost.
Rice has instantly become a crucial player for Mikel Arteta’s side, providing consistent performances and important goals – like the one pictured above against Luton Town – already.
CM: John McGinn (Aston Villa)
It was a toss up between Douglas Luiz and John McGinn, but in the end we had to give the nod to the chip-fuelled driving force behind Aston Villa’s remarkable form this season.
McGinn’s combination of work rate and genuine quality on and off the ball has been vital for a Villa side mounting an unlikely title challenge. There’s very few players who could play his intense box-to-box role in Unai Emery’s tactical set-up.
RW: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
The fact that last season, one in which he provided 19 goals and 12 assists, was considered a down year for Mohamed Salah tells you all you need to know about the legendary Liverpool forward.
This season, he’s very much back to his very best. His tally of 21 goal contributions in 20 games is comfortably the best in the division this season, and it’s a tally that’s made Liverpool title challengers once more.
ST: Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)
‚How is Erling Haaland not in this team?! 90min is a joke!‘
Look, obviously Haaland would normally be in a team like this but, truth is, injuries have kept him out of it. The forward has missed a lot of football over the Christmas period, so it’s hard to justify putting him in this team.
One player who has been fit and firing is Ollie Watkins. The England international has been in fantastic form for Villa, contributing both goals (nine) and assists (eight).
LW: Son Heung-min (Tottenham Hotspur)
Son Heung-min took on the mantle as Tottenham Hotspur’s leader after Harry Kane up sticks to join Bayern Munich, and he’s taken to his new role like a duck to water.
With 12 goals and five assists to his name, including four against Arsenal and Manchester City, Son has been utterly brilliant under long-term admirer Postecoglou.
The sooner he returns from the Asian Cup the better for Spurs.