Erling Haaland, Alisson, but no Bukayo Saka? Who Makes Jaspar Shepherdson's Premier League Team of the Season?

Goalkeeper: Alisson

Brief spoiler alert: Alisson Becker’s name might be the sole positive mention of a Liverpool player in this list. 

The Reds have endured a torrid season compared to the high standards they’ve set over the last five years, finding themselves trophyless just a year on from their 21/22 quadruple chase.

Perhaps the only reason Liverpool don’t find themselves in mid table obscurity this season is because of Alisson, whose 11 clean sheets and nearly 100 saves have kept him not only in contention for the Golden Glove, but also Liverpool in contention for European football next season. 

Whilst the future of Liverpool’s defence may be in question regarding the age of Virgil Van Dijk, re-positioning of Trent Alexander-Arnold into midfield, and overall decline of Andy Robertson, Liverpool fans can still rest relatively easy that for as low as their mood may be and team’s performances may get, their Brazilian keeper at the back is still the envy of the rest of the division. 

Honourable mentions: Nick Pope, David De Gea, Bernd Leno

Right Back: Kieran Trippier

Trippier’s arrival from Atletico Madrid was the very first signing of the ‘New Era’ at Newcastle United, and the former Tottenham defender’s influence simply cannot be understated.

The Magpies boast the most formidable defence in the league this season: with only 26 goals conceded since the start of the campaign, Trippier’s leadership and years of experience have made him such a valuable asset to Eddie Howe and the rest of the squad. 

The seemingly perfect combination of defensive capability, leadership, and attacking prowess, Kieran Trippier has established himself as the prototypical Premier League full-back.

Honourable mentions: Benjamin White, Kenny Tete, Kyle Walker-Peters

Left Centre Back: John Stones

From two men in the Premier League’s strongest defence to one in the next best lineup: John Stones has never looked more impressive than he has in the current Manchester City team.

Though much praise will of course be directed further up field for the Cityzens, Stones has been an absolute rock that Pep Guardiola has been able to rely upon time and time again. 

As the old saying goes, attacking may win you games, but defence wins you titles, and 28-year-old Stones is all but set to collect his fifth Premier League winner’s medal come Sunday, May 28th: a feat that is thoroughly deserved based on his performances this season. 

Honourable mentions: William Saliba, Lisandro Martinez, Lewis Dunk

Left Back: Pervis Estupinan

We all have a Premier League team we don’t mind and almost actively support outside our own.

For many of us, that team is Brighton and Hove Albion, who have enjoyed their best Premier League campaign to date since achieving promotion to the top flight back in 2017. 

Pervis Estupinan has been one of the breakout stars of this Brighton team since he signed from Villarreal last Summer, recording five assists and eight clean sheets as the Seagulls have found themselves surging up the table. 

The Ecuadorian has proven to be more than just a left back too, showcasing his versatility at both left midfield and at centre back: a more-than-worthy replacement of Marc Cucurella, Estupinan will be someone Roberto De Zerbi desperately wants to keep on Brighton’s books in the Summer.

Honourable mentions: Luke Shaw, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Alex Moreno

Central Midfielder #1: Kevin De Bruyne

The incumbent 'Player of the Year' has been as dominant as ever this season. 

Still heralded by many as the best player in the Premier League and maybe the best midfielder to grace these shores, De Bruyne is a likely frontrunner to once again scoop the illustrious ‘Player Of The Year’ award.

With 7 goals and 16 assists, the Belgian maestro has showed no signs of slowing down over the years, and although he won’t receive as much attention as one of his teammates for his contributions to Man City’s impending success, there should be no denying that no other player on the planet can consistently do what Kevin De Bruyne does year after year.

Honourable mentions: Pascal Gross, Bruno Guimaraes, Andreas Pereira

Central Midfielder #2: Martin Odegaard

Having failed to truly capitalise on the hype prescribed to him at Real Madrid, many believed Martin Odegaard would fail to live up to the great expectations set upon him at such a young age. 

Whilst Arsenal (at the time of writing) have started to lose their grip on 1st place in the title race, their captain has remained as consistent and formidable as ever, producing moments of magic in the crucial games where the likes of Bukayo Saka, Aaron Ramsdale and Thomas Partey have shown their inconsistencies. 

Odegaard has received widespread acclaim for his stellar efforts, including being named as the 2023 ‘Premier League Player of the Year’ at the London Football Awards. As captain of this squad naturally growing in chemistry and confidence, it might not be long for Odegaard himself to be the frontrunner for the PFA Player of the Year award himself.

Honourable mentions: Alexis Mac Allister, Joelinton, James Ward-Prowse

Left Winger/Left Midfielder: Gabriel Martinelli 

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side has received much praise for highlighting young talent and for its exciting attacking style of play: Gabriel Martinelli is arguably the best performing player during Arteta’s tenure as manager.

With 15 goals and 5 assists in the league this season, the young Brazilian, similar to the aforementioned Almiron, looked like a lost cause once in his Premier League career. 

Revitalised and rejuvenated under Arteta, Martinelli’s frightening combination of speed, dribbling and finishing makes him the most dangerous winger in the league today, and one of the crown jewels in this excellent Arsenal team that have emerged as title contenders this season.

Honourable mentions: Leandro Trossard, Kaoru Mitoma, Marcus Rashford