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Ian DarkeESPN.com Writer
After a dramatic final day, the awards sparkled in Premier League be decided: City of Manchester champion for the fourth time in five years, Liverpool photo finishing, Tottenham Hotspur inside Champions League and Leeds United march into another season in the top flight.
But how about the individual awards? And how about those who probably want to forget the season? Everyone will have their own idea of the real dynamics and shake-ups, so needless to say, here are the best and worst looking teams of 2021-22.
– O’Hanlon, Connelly: Premier League 2021-22 awards (E+)
– Football on ESPN+: FC Daily | American Futbol
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Best XI of the season
GOALKEEPER
David de Gea (Manchester United): A controversial choice perhaps against the claims of Alisson of the Liverpool and Ederson of Manchester City, but De Gea worked wonders amid shipwrecks during United’s season. He made some stunning saves and without him United would not have even qualified for the Europa League.
Ready: Alisson (Liverpool), Ederson (Manchester City)
CROOK
Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool): There are still some doubts about his ability to protect, but this is a classic case to judge what he maybe do, not what he cannot. This is a full-back capable of receiving passes, crossing and scoring goals is considered a unique talent. Britain needs to figure out how to use it.
Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool): Great, he seems to do everything without switching to second item. That’s because he reads the game so well, putting out the flames before they explode. It is not easy in a defense that plays with both full-backs pushed so high that the central defenders are demanding more.
Antonio Rudiger (Chelsea): Sure and uncompromising, he will be badly missed leaving Stamford Bridge to join Real Madrid this summer. It looks like people are wearing a sign that says “You won’t pass me,” and very few do. Very difficult to replace.
Joao Cancelo (Manchester City): A defender possessing the skills of a No 10, he has impressed twice in Man City’s title-winning streak. Prefers right-back, but is also very adept at the team’s somewhat problematic left-back position.
Ready: Marc Cucurella (Brighton), Cristian Romero (Tottenham)
COMMUNICATOR
Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City): Sure to feature in most all-time Premier League XI, and his superb pass for Man City’s title-winning goal into the net Aston Villa summarize him. Has the same look, timing and passing weight as some other players and this season he has added more goals to his repertoire.
Declan Rice (West Ham United): The Hammers’ torchbearer during the stellar season was the reason they reached the semi-finals of the Europa League and finished seventh in the Premier League, good enough for a Europa Conference League spot. Extremely consistent and emerges as a clear leader. West Ham will play hard with potential players.
Christian Eriksen (Brentford): Story of the season. Eight months after we feared for his life when he collapsed on the pitch at the Euros, Dane is back to make Brentford look like they’re starting to struggle. With him in the starting lineup, the Bees won seven out of 10 games. It’s nice to think he’s responded to their faith in him by staying at the club.
Ready: Yves Bissouma (Brighton), James Maddison (Leicester City), Christian Norgaard (Brentford), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City), Martin Odegaard (Arsenal), Thiago (Liverpool), James Ward-Prowse (Southampton)
CONTRIBUTORS
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool): Dangerous people. Even with his form dropping a bit, it’s still been a fantastic season for the Egyptian as he finished top scorer in the league and led the assists. . Sound an alarm every time he gets the ball.
Harry Kane (Tottenham): Started the season upset when his desired move to Manchester City fell through, but then showed he can not only score but also drop deep to score. Spurs’ Champions League qualification is likely to mean he will stay as long as manager Antonio Conte.
Son Heung-Min (Tottenham): He and Kane are now Officially the best strike partner in Premier League history. With clever runs and expert finishes, he shares the Golden Boot with Salah this season and plays with a smile on his face.
Ready: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United), Luis Diaz (Liverpool), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Diogo Jota (Liverpool), Dejan Kulusevski (Tottenham), Sadio Mane (Liverpool), Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United), Ivan Toney (Brentford); Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace)
Worst XI of the season
GOALKEEPER
Kepa Arrizabalaga (Chelsea): The most expensive goalkeeper in the world is far behind Edouard Mendy at Stamford Bridge. Then, when he was brought on as a substitute for the “penalty specialist” in the Carabao Cup final, he failed to make a single save and then missed the free kick as Liverpool won 11-10. .
CROOK
Aaron Wan-Bissaka (Manchester United): The £50m right-back has lost his way and his place Diogo Dalot during United’s disastrous season.
Harry Maguire (Manchester United): Usually excellent for England, but he looks like a shadow of himself for United. Being booed cruelly and wrongly at Wembley, hope he recovers. The disappointment of losing the Euro 2020 final and United’s efforts certainly knocked his confidence.
Raphael Varane (Manchester United): The arrival of one of the most decorated players in today’s game was hailed as a coup by all, but his first season at Old Trafford has come to an end. with him taking more time off due to injury and the club conceding more goals than being relegated. Burnley.
Junior Firpo (Leeds United): Signed from Barcelona, he has failed to garner many friends among Elland Road loyalists. Partly is the Premier League’s second most solid defense, with 79 goals conceded.
COMMUNICATOR
Paul Pogba (Manchester United): Almost “invisible” at Old Trafford and seems to be on his way out. The obvious talent he shows so often for France is rarely seen in a United shirt. Mostly injured.
N’Golo Kante (Chelsea): An important player at Stamford Bridge and still a top player, but a string of injuries kept him from starting games in a disappointing season. His frequent absences are a big reason Chelsea have lost momentum, as Thomas Tuchel admitted last week.
Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United): Seems inhibited by the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo and never looks like the player who starred with goals and assists last season. Cut a disappointing figure. Getting him on board is an important task for new boss Erik ten Hag.
CONTRIBUTORS
Marcus Rashford (Manchester United): There is no apology for the many United players in this “disappointed” team. Frequently left out, he looks lacking in confidence and conviction. Body language speaks volumes. Need a manager who believes in him again.
Romelu Lukaku (Chelsea): After a stellar season winning the title at Inter Milan, he is considered the final £97.5m piece in the Chelsea puzzle. But he looked out of place and a game at Crystal Palace when he had just seven touches of the ball, sums up a campaign that is mysteriously bad.
Alexandre Lacazette (Arsenal): The sad final chapter of his Gunners career. Only scored one Premier League goal in an open game and lost his place to the hands Edward Nketiah.
