The Premier League has officially reached the halfway point of the season, and managers are focusing on making the most out of the January transfer window, attempting to add the most-wanted players to their ranks. In this time, many teams will try and outbid their rivals to secure the most popular and skilled players of the season. After some extensive evaluation, we have listed below the best XI who deserve to be in the team of the season so far.
And it’s certainly not surprising that many players from Liverpool and Manchester dominate the team of the season.
Goalkeeper – Edouard Mendy (Chelsea)
Mendy has been nominated for the 2024 Best Goalkeeper of the Year award, and that in itself should explain why the Blues’ keeper is in our best XI. Mendy only joined Chelsea last summer from Rennes but has been an integral part of their success ever since. He played a vital role in Chelsea’s success in the Champions League last season, with a record of nine clean sheets from 12 games throughout the competition.
The Senegalese shot-stopper boasts an 84% save percentage, and even though Liverpool’s Alisson Becker and Ederson of Manchester City have the better clean sheet record, Mendy has been holding it up for the Blues, given the absence of some key attacking players for most of the season.
Right Back – Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)
According to Sportingbet, Trent Alexander-Arnold is one of the 11 Greatest Premier League Players of All-time, amongst Ronaldo, Drogba, and many more. And Alexander-Arnold has certainly lived up to it. Although receiving stiff competition from Reece James and Kyle Walker, the 23-year-old has been crowned the best English right-back in the world. He has proven himself to be an invaluable asset to Liverpool time and time again, and he was crucial to the Reds success in winning their first Premier League 2019 title in 30 years.
Center Back – Ruben Dias (Manchester City)
Dias belongs to defenders of the title Manchester City who are currently killing it in the Premier League and look determined to bag some more silverware. Dias was signed to Manchester City back in 2024 as a replacement for club legend Vincent Kompany.
However, no one could anticipate the impact Dias has on the Blues’ performance.
The 24-year-old Portuguese player quickly established himself as the best central defender in the league, similar to the likes of Virgil van Dijk. Van Dijk is also a great central defender, but because of Dias, the Blues lead the league’s clean sheets and goals conceded, making him more worthy of being a part of the Best XI.
Upon joining the Blues, Dias has won the English top-flight title as his first attempt, Carabao Cup and even aided the Blues in reaching their first-ever Champions League final. Dias has also received several rewards in his first season in English football which only emphasizes the nature of his performances. He was named Manchester City Player of the Year, Champions League Defender of the Season and Premier League Player of the season, to name a few.
Center Back – Romain Saiss (Wolves)
Saiss continues to shine for the Wolves, who boast the 3rd best goals conceded record in the Premier League at the time of writing. Having been with the club since 2016, the loyal Moroccon defender continues to dedicate himself to Wolves with an ever-lasting passion.
Sure, he might not be the absolute best, but contributing to two of Wolves 13 goals, Saiss deserves an honorary mention.
Left Back – Joao Cancelo (Manchester City)
Unfortunately, at the time of writing, Cancelo has been assaulted at home during a robbery, and he has sustained facial injuries from the attack. Whether the Portuguese defender will make an appearance in Man City’s upcoming match against Arsenal is yet to be decided. This absence might hit the Blues hard since Joao Cancelo is an all-rounder with the adaptability to showcase his abilities as a fullback.
Cancelo plays a unique role in City’s attack and serves as both a defender and a creator/scorer of goals. He ranks in the top three for a combined number of goals, assists and completed dribbles.
Midfield – Rodrigo Cascante (Manchester City)
Here we have yet another player from Manchester City. But we can’t be surprised. The Blues have an abundance of talent, and their consistent impressive performances have awarded them the top position in the table. Rodrigo Cascante adds to these impressive performances as he connects the City defence with the attack and destroys any opportunities for the opposition to score.
Amongst many other talented midfielders in the Blues’ ranks, Cascante is one of the main reasons why they continue to flourish.
Midfield – Conor Gallagher (Crystal Palace)
An unexpected player, Conor Gallagher, is proving to be one of the best central midfielders in the Premier League this season.
Gallagher is under 23, but his age certainly does not define nor limit his athletic capabilities. At the time of writing, Gallagher has scored six goals and made three assists in 17 appearances for Crystal Palace.
The young midfielder has thrived under Patrick Vieira and is tied third for most tackles in the Premier League with an impressive record of 105 recoveries and 109 duels won.
Midfield – Mason Mount (Chelsea)
Along with Gallagher, Mount is also one of the under-23 players in the Premier League, but his performances only emphasize his amazing skills and talents on the field. With seven goals and four assists in the season so far, Mount has stepped up for Chelsea amidst their lack of first choice strikers crisis.
Right-Wing – Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Everywhere you look in the football world, Mohamed Salah’s name shines. The Egyptian king is one of Liverpool’s greatest assets and the Premier League’s leading scorer and assister currently. Fifteen goals in 18 appearances speak for itself, and he is certainly on his way to yet another Golden Boot.
Striker – Diogo Jota (Liverpool)
Liverpool arguably have one of the best attacks in the league, with the likes of Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Diogo Jota. The latter has made quite a record for himself with ten goals from 17 appearances, second behind league leader and fellow teammate Salah.
Left Wing – Son Heung-Min (Tottenham)
Unfortunately, the Spurs have been struggling for most of the season, even after the appointment of new manager Antonio Conte. They seemed to have found some footing recently, but one player that manages to shine through amidst everything is Son Heung-Min. Going past Sadio Mane and even his teammate and star player Harry Kane, the Korean winger is managing to keep Tottenham afloat.
