Season Review Part 1
Team of the Season
The team is selected by a team of experts (me, myself and I) and is completely subjective, but based on player stats. They line up in a classical 4-4-2!
Goalkeeper: Marc-Andre Ter Stegen - Lyon
The Lyon stopper was crucial to a good season for the French team. Without his stability in goal, they would probably be nowhere near the cup-title as well as European football next season. 25 conceded in 25 league games is nothing short of impressive.
Right Back: John Stones - Everton
Despite playing partly as a CB throughout the season, the Evertonian has been extremely effective when used as a right back. An unreal season for England also adds to his credentials, and Everton will surely have to fight off suitors this summer.
Centre Back: Aymeric Laporte - Zenit
Where do we start on this guy. Highest avg rating in the league, most player of the match awards, most key tackles as well as 2nd in number of tackles per game. The Frenchman has been a complete beast, and was a dead given for the CB spot.
Centre Back: Alessio Romagnoli - Milan
5th in avg rating in the league, 3rd in tackles per game and 10th in interceptions made. The young Italian has had a terrific season, and a perfect partner for Laporte in central defence.
Left Back: Jose Gaya - Leverkusen
Leading the league in assists, 2nd in PoM awards and 7th in total key passes. This bliztering Spaniard has taken the league by storm, and has been a key contributor to Leverkusen's successful season.
Central Midfield - William Carvalho - Sporting
The rock in the middle of the park for Sporting. Has had the tough job to keep a unconsistent team together, but has been remarkably consistent himself. 4th in pass completion rate, 8th in interceptions and 6th in average rating. A type of player you need in any team, and a key element to Sporting's season.
Central Midfield - Lars Bender - Leverkusen
He may not be the player that gets the headlines, but Lars Bender is probably one of the most important players for his team in the league. He leads the stats for distance covered / 90 minutes, and tackles / game, is 4th in key tackles and 3rd in total interceptions. Without him, Leverkusen would have had a much tougher season.
Right Wing - Bernardo Silva - Leverkusen
10 goals from the Portuguese youngster, as well as 3rd in dribbles / game, 5th in cross completion ratio and 4th in key passes means that he is a given for the team of the season. He has came up big when Leverkusen needed him to, and has secured points in close games.
Left Wing - Memphis Depay - Milan
The Dutch international has been very impressive for the champions. 8 goals, 4 assists and 2nd in the avg rating stats in the league tells the story of a great season. Depay has made sure right backs across the league have struggled in every game he's played this season.
Deep-Lying Forward: Carlos Tevez - Zenit
15 goals in only 20 starts tells the story of one of the buys of the season. Tevez shot Zenit into the semi-finals of the Europa League, as well as played his big part on the final game day, in securing Champions League football for the Russians next season. Aged 32, Tevez is like a fine wine, and has only gotten better with age. Zenit may well enjoy his goalscoring for another couple of seasons yet.
Poacher: Mauro Icardi - Milan
Despite good efforts from Balotelli, Jonas, Luuk de Jong and Junior Moraes, it is impossible not to include the top goalscorer in this team. The Argentine has been consistent throughout the season, rarely staying off the goalscoring charts for too long. The Milan fans will hope that he'll stay on with the club throughout the summer, but there are surely a lot of big dogs sniffing around for his signature.
Subs bench:
Andriy Pyatov - Shakhtar
Alessandro Florenzi - Leverkusen
Ricardo Rodriguez - Milan
James Ward-Prowse - Lyon
Joao Moutinho - Schalke
Luuk De Jong - Lyon
Jonas - Sporting CP