Premier League team of the season 2019-20
A look at the men who have starred in this season’s top fight.
The Premier League season finally draws to a close on Sunday with Liverpool’s first title in 30 years having been sealed a month ago.
Here, the PA news agency takes a look at the men who have lit up England’s top flight during the most unusual of campaigns.
Nick Pope
Nick Pope and Burnley.A glove story. Maybe even a golden one? 🤞 pic.twitter.com/2Iak4Pcbi2
— Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) July 19, 2020
Keeper Nick Pope has been a key figure in Burnley’s creditable top-half finish. Going into the final game of the campaign at home to Brighton, the 28-year-old England international has recorded 15 clean sheets.
Trent Alexander-Arnold
It would be easy to forget that England full-back Trent Alexander Arnold was only 20 years old at the start of the campaign, such is the impact he has made since bursting into the Liverpool team. Defensively tenacious and hugely productive going forward, he is maturing by the week under Jurgen Klopp.
Jonny Evans
Posted by Leicester City Football Club on Wednesday, June 3, 2020
Jonny Evans cost Leicester just GBP 3.5million during the summer of 2018, and the Northern Ireland international has proved to be a spectacular bargain. The 32-year-old has started all 37 league games to date and finished all but two of them, forming a formidable central defensive partnership with Caglar Soyuncu.
Virgil Van Dijk
CHAMPIONS! 🏆😎 pic.twitter.com/VHTukA8lx0
— Virgil van Dijk (@VirgilvDijk) June 25, 2020
Virgil Van Dijk’s form last season as Liverpool were crowned European champions was always going to be difficult to match, and the 29-year-old Holland star has perhaps dipped slightly below the highest of standards he set for himself this time around. However, he has remained an immense presence and calming influence at the heart of Klopp’s defence.
Andy Robertson
Scotland left-back Andy Robertson has made himself an integral part of Liverpool’s finely-tuned machine. A defender who likes defending, the 26-year-old is equally adept going forward and like Alexander-Arnold, provides a crucial supply line.
Jordan Henderson
“The boys worked so hard for it and everybody in this club worked so hard for it. I will be proud of the boys and all what we did together in this club.”
It’s going to be an emotional, proud and historic night at Anfield 🤩
— Liverpool FC (Premier League Champions 🏆) (@LFC) July 21, 2020
Perhaps an unsung hero outside the red half of Liverpool – and even the Anfield faithful took some persuading initially – 30-year-old Reds captain Jordan Henderson has led from the front. A tireless midfielder whose ability on the ball and leadership skills are valued not only by Klopp, but also by England boss Gareth Southgate.
Kevin De Bruyne
There are few remaining superlatives to describe midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, a man who sees passes others do not and who has the ability to deliver them with pinpoint accuracy. Manchester City have been indebted to the 29-year-old Belgium international for his assists and goals as he has taken midfield play to new levels.
Raheem Sterling
It had to be…😉
⚽️ @EASPORTSFIFA 🐝 0-4 🔵 #ManCity | https://t.co/axa0klD5re pic.twitter.com/HGRz5eeR8w
— Manchester City (@ManCity) July 21, 2020
Raheem Sterling’s development as a player has continued apace and a second successive hugely impressive season for both Manchester and England has simply enhanced his reputation. The 25-year-old’s influence has grown too off the pitch, where he has become a passionate campaigner for equality.
Sadio Mane
8⃣0⃣ goals as a Red for Sadio Mané in all comps 🔥Making his way to the 💯 club…
Posted by Liverpool FC on Saturday, July 18, 2020
Perhaps the least vaunted of Liverpool’s attacking triumvirate, 28-year-old Mane has produced a level of consistency this season which has arguably edged him ahead of Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino in terms of effective contribution. He has provided goals, assists, pace and invention and his team has thrived as a result.
Jamie Vardy
⚽️ Jamie Vardy has scored 2️⃣3️⃣ #PL goals this season, only netting more in @LCFC‘s title-winning season of 2015/16 (24 goals)#LEISHU pic.twitter.com/5rvDXAFXbD
— Premier League (@premierleague) July 16, 2020
At 33, Jamie Vardy may be approaching the autumn of his career, but his potency is not waning. He heads into the final weekend of the campaign at the top of the Premier League goalscoring charts with 23 and having joined the 100 club with his strike against Crystal Palace on July 4.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
It may have been a difficult season for Arsenal, who can finish no higher than eighth, but 31-year-old Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been a shining light for the Gunners. Without his 20 league goals to date, Mikel Arteta’s men would have been significantly worse off.
