Stunning Saka leads Arsenal pair in Premier League 2023/24 Best XI
As the March international break gets underway, and with just over a quarter of the season to go, we’ve taken a look at the Premier League Team of the Season… so far. Included in the XI are players from West Ham, Newcastle, Tottenham, Liverpool, Fulham, Arsenal and Manchester City.
Alphonse Areola (West Ham) - 6.92
French goalkeeper Alphonse Areola takes his place between the sticks in our XI, having impressed hugely in his first full season as West Ham’s first-choice stopper. The 31-year-old has helped the Hammers to five clean sheets, while he is also the only goalkeeper in the division to have saved two penalties so far this term.
Kieran Trippier (Newcastle) - 7.18
After an incredibly strong start to the season, Kieran Trippier’s form appears to have dropped off slightly, along with that of Newcastle’s, but his performances - before Christmas especially - still see him earn a spot in our best XI. The England international a league-high ten assists so far this term, while he also has one goal to his name. Trippier also ranks highly for key passes, with just four players having made more than his 63 thus far.
Cristian Romero (Tottenham) - 7.12
Tottenham defender Cristian Romero stars at the heart of defence having scored more goals than in any senior season in his career so far. The Argentina international’s four see him tied with Arsenal’s Gabriel Magalhaes as the Premier League’s highest scoring defender, while he has also cleaned up his act when it comes to discipline under new boss Ange Postecoglou. Romero has so far been booked four times, five fewer than last season’s total, and is making nearly one fewer foul per game.
Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) - 7.30
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has bounced back to a level that few expected to see from him again after his anterior cruciate ligament injury three seasons ago. The 32-year-old has been nothing short of immense for the Reds so far, as they go in search of a second Premier League title in Jurgen Klopp’s final season. Van Dijk’s 113 aerial wins are the most by any player in the division, while he also boasts the best success rate. His WhoScored rating of 7.30 sees him ranked as not just the best defender in England, but across Europe’s top five leagues too.
Antonee Robinson (Fulham) - 7.02
USA international full-back Antonee Robinson has starred for Fulham so far this season, and is second only to tackle-machine Joao Palhinha in terms of their WhoScored ratings. The former Everton man has made a whopping 69 interceptions thus far - at least 19 more than any other player, while he is also enjoying his best season when it comes to providing assists, with six to his name.
With a WhoScored rating of 7.69, Arsenal star Bukayo Saka is the Premier League’s highest rated player at this stage of the season. The England international is on track for his best season to date, with 13 goals and eight assists to his name, after 14 and 11 respectively last term. Saka’s remarkable performances have played a pivotal role in the Gunners’ continued title charge, with Mikel Arteta’s side top of the division on goal difference ahead of the final ten matches.
Rodri (Manchester City) - 7.56
Second only to Saka in the Premier League this season is Manchester City’s midfield metronome Rodri, who continues to reaffirm his status as perhaps the treble-winners’ most crucial player. So far this term, Rodri has already been involved in more goals (11) than in any previous league campaign, while he also leads the division in passes, having made at least 102 more than any other player (2428). The Spaniard recently set a record for the longest unbeaten streak across all competitions by a player for an English club (59 matches), which now sits at 61.
England’s Declan Rice has looked every bit the player you’d spend £100 million on, with his presence in the Arsenal midfield a game-changer for Mikel Arteta’s side this season. Like Rodri, Rice has six goals and five assists to his name so far - tallies that far exceed any of his previous campaigns. The 25-year-old’s role at the Emirates has proved less restrictive and demanding than that which he used to play at West Ham, while he has also been allowed to impact games with decisive contributions in front of goal.
Phil Foden (Manchester City) - 7.42
With ten matches left to play, Manchester City attacker Phil Foden is already enjoying the best season of his senior career. The 23-year-old was perhaps the sole beneficiary of Kevin De Bruyne’s half-season absence, with his output and impact increased in a more central role under Pep Guardiola. Foden has been directly involved in 18 goals (11 goals, seven assists), while he has been named the WhoScored Player of the Match more timaes than any other player in the Premier League this term.
Erling Haaland (Manchester City) - 7.39
It will come as no surprise that Manchester City striker Erling Haaland looks set to win the Premier League Golden Boot for a second successive season. Despite missing five games through injury, the Norwegian superstar has 18 goals to his name, along with five assists. Haaland also leads the division in Expected Goals generated, with 22.05, though he is underperforming in that regard.
Heung-Min Son (Tottenham) - 7.40
Tottenham captain Heung-Min Son earns a place alongside Haaland in our best XI, having been involved in 22 goals for Ange Postecoglou’s side this season. The 31-year-old, who missed three league matches due to his participation at the Asian Cup, is also the Premier League’s biggest xG overperformer; Son has, at this stage, scored at least five goals more than expected of him, given the quality of his chances.
