The last weekend was the final round of Premier League fixtures before the World Cup break, and Arsenal have ended on a real high by going five points clear at the top of the table with a comprehensive 2-0 away win over Wolves.
Brentford pulled a rabbit out of the hat by beating Manchester City 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium, while teenage sensation Alejandro Garnacho came off the bench and scored in stoppage-time to help Manchester United win all three points against Fulham at Craven Cottage.
With club football currently on hiatus with the World Cup just four days away from commencing, let us take a look at the best Premier League XI till now in the season.
Best Premier League XI (4-3-1-2)
Aaron Ramsdale (GK)
Arsenal and Newcastle United have the joint-best defensive record in the division, so it was a close call between Aaron Ramsdale and Nick Pope and we are going with the former.
Both Ramsdale and Pope have kept the same number of clean sheets (7) and conceded the same number of goals (11), although the Arsenal goalkeeper has played a game less than the Newcastle star. Also, both are heading to the World Cup, but on current form, distribution skills and shot-stopping ability, Ramsdale pips Pope to start for England in Qatar and in this team.
Kieran Trippier (RB)
Still relatively new to the team after being bought over in January of last term from Atletico Madrid, Kieran Trippier has been a vital cog of Newcastle United’s joint-best defence in the Premier League.
The England international, 32, has played in every game for the Magpies so far, contributing with a goal and three assists in addition to his tough-tackling, energy and leadership skills. Having helped Eddie Howe’s men to third in the table and with a real chance of qualifying for the Champions League next season, Trippier slots in at right-back in this Premier League XI.
William Saliba (CB)
The spine of the team’s defence has to be strong, and there is barely any centre-back playing better than Arsenal’s William Saliba.
After enjoying successful loan spells in France over the last few years, Saliba, 21, has been given the chance to prove his mettle in the Premier League this term and has duly repaid the manager’s faith in him by delivering colossal displays at the heart of the Arsenal backline.
The Frenchman, who has been called up to the World Cup squad, has shown great maturity, composure on the ball and aerial ability whilst helping the Gunners keep seven clean sheets.
Sven Botman (CB)
Any one of Man City’s Manuel Akanji, Arsenal’s Gabriel Magalhaes or Man United’s Lisandro Martinez could have made the entry to the starting XI, but we have gone with Newcastle United defender Sven Botman.
A second Newcastle United representative in Botman joins Trippier in the backline, with the Dutch centre-back putting in strong displays week in week out. He has been one of the first names on Eddie Howe’s team sheet, and it is clear the influence he has had so far on what was a very leaky Newcastle defence in seasons past.
After enjoying such a stellar season with the Toon Army until now, Botman finds himself extremely unlucky to miss out on a spot in the Netherlands squad for the World Cup.
Joao Cancelo (LB)
It is difficult to look past Joao Cancelo when picking a player for the left-back position. Despite naturally being right-footed, Cancelo has made the left-back spot his own at Manchester City in the last 18 months, demonstrating his attacking instincts, technical qualities on the ball and shooting prowess.
With two goals and an assist in 14 games, the Portuguese continues to be a crucial member of Pep Guardiola’s side. Other than the childish red card against Fulham, Cancelo has had a solid season to date.
Bruno Guimaraes (CDM)
Since being bought by Newcastle from Lyon in January, Bruno Guimaraes continues to serve only as a reminder of how irreplaceable he has become at the club.
A versatile midfielder but most importantly operating as a single pivot in Newcastle’s three-man midfield, Bruno’s overall play has been fantastic. Plus, he has racked up three goals and two assists so far, and for someone playing a deeper role in midfield, the numbers are fantastic.
Outstanding on and off the ball, Bruno, who has made it to Brazil’s World Cup squad, starts in this team.
Kevin de Bruyne (LCM)
You cannot keep Kevin de Bruyne out of the team, can you? De Bruyne has been in rollicking form this season, and his league-high nine assists already this season clearly demonstrate that.
With a proper No.9 leading the City attack, the Belgian playmaker has looked even more dangerous with the ball at his feet. De Bruyne continues to make City tick and will hope to run the midfield show for this team!
James Maddison (RCM)
James Maddison has been the shining light in an otherwise underwhelming campaign for Leicester City. With seven goals and four assists from 13 games, the 25-year-old continues to deliver the goods consistently for Brendan Rodgers’ side.
Maddison provides assists, scores goals, and has been a key member of the Foxes side that is surprisingly sitting in the bottom half of the Premier League table.
Leandro Trossard (CAM)
In his fourth season as a mainstay in the Brighton side, Leandro Trossard has made further strides in rounding out his game as an attacker. Be it leading the attack, playing in the hole or operating as an attacking wing-back, Trossard has done it all this term with equal grace and poise and effectiveness.
The diminutive Belgian has seven goals and two assists to show for his efforts and is impacting the games in a positive way for the Seagulls. On his day, he can be absolutely unplayable—just ask the Liverpool defenders.
Erling Haaland (LS)
Erling Haaland has made a mockery of Premier League defences since joining Man City from Dortmund in the summer.
The Norwegian has scored 18 goals in 13 games, which includes three hat-tricks. Brentford became only the third team to stop Haaland from scoring since moving to the Etihad Stadium, after Bournemouth and Liverpool. Regardless, he is an easy pick for this team.
Harry Kane (RS)
Majorly due to Haaland’s exploits, the form and figures of Tottenham striker Harry Kane has slightly gone under the radar.
With 12 goals in 15 Premier League games, Kane is right up there with the best marksman in the English top-flight. He has been the driving force for Tottenham yet again with his goals, playmaking ability and leadership skills, whilst hugely compensating for Heung-min Son’s massive dip in form.
Watching Kane and Haaland line up in the same team will give any opposition the worst of nightmares.
