In a matter of hours, this year’s PFA Team of the Year will be announced and though each inclusion will be richly deserved, it will also inevitably be largely populated by world class players, who are surrounded each and every week by other world class players.
Whereas, the alternative line-up below may contain the odd superstar or two, but mainly it’s individuals whose consistent brilliance in 2022/23 raised their team to a whole other level, over and above what was expected of them in the Premier League betting.
They may not have received official recognition for doing this, but here they are treasured.
Goalkeeper – David Raya (Brentford)
If the Bees relied heavily on Ivan Toney’s 20 goals this term, then the striker is similarly indebted to his keeper who found him, from distance, on 174 occasions.
All season long, the Spanish stopper’s distribution has been a big factor in Brentford’s rise, allowing them to go long, well and often.
No other keeper in the top-flight made more saves than Raya and no other keeper boasted a better save percentage.
Right-back – Kenny Tete (Fulham)
According to more than one stat site, Tete was the second best performing right-back in the Premier League and with Kieran Trippier a shoo-in for the PFA nomination, it’s only fair to acclaim the Dutch defender here.
2.7 tackles per 90 highlights his defensive attributes but there is also a commendable five assists to take into account from a player who bossed right flanks from August to May.
In yet another example of Brighton’s superb recruitment stratagem, Estupinan was snapped up for just £18m last summer after the Seagulls sold Marc Cucurella for considerably more.
One year on, the big-money buy has flopped at Chelsea while his cheap replacement has shone on the south coast, overlapping with boundless energy but combative when out of possession.
Centre-back – Fabian Schar (Newcastle)
No team conceded fewer goals than Eddie Howe’s Newcastle this season and so much of their stinginess derived from a rock-solid partnership made up of Schar and Sven Botman, with Nick Pope mopping up their rare errors.
The Swiss defender seemed destined to leave English football criminally under-valued.
That has now thankfully changed via his superb displays that has placed him right at the heart of the Magpies’ revolution.
Centre-back – Ethan Pinnock (Brentford)
Having incrementally made his way to the top, Pinnock’s journey mirrors Brentford’s and there is something fundamentally important in that. That matters.
Seven years ago he was playing non-league with Dulwich Hamlet. Four years ago he was clean-sweeping the end-of-season player awards at Barnsley.
And now the 30-year-old is an instrumental presence as his side secures a top ten Premier League finish.
Always calm and commanding at the back and pretty much unbeatable in the air, Pinnock has greatly impressed from the get-go.
Midfield – Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle)
The Brazilian’s 84% pass completion rate is worthy of note even if – though very good – it’s not a figure out of the ordinary.
But then you acknowledge the adventure in his passing, the risky through-balls, the speculative shifts to out wide.
Guimaraes can play a safe, square pass with the best of them but so much of what he does has a purpose, designed to make something happen.
And subsequently, almost all that has been good about Newcastle this season has come from the right boot of a special talent.
Midfield – James Ward-Prowse (Southampton)
There are not many Saints players who can hold their head up high this summer. Ward-Prowse is the exception to that rule.
Liberated in a more offensive role halfway through the campaign, the England star retained his usual endeavour and made a real impact for his struggling side, all sadly to no avail.
An 85% pass completion rate is perhaps to be expected from a player who truly values accuracy and guile. Eight goals from 18 shots on target though is something else entirely.
Midfield – Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)
If the rumours are true, and the Portuguese schemer has been overlooked for this year’s PFA Team of the Year, it will be a regrettable omission.
The 28-year-old has accrued a league-high for both key passes and shot-creating actions and all while contributing to United’s cause with 16 direct goal involvements.
If Casemiro has rightfully been lauded for his box-to-boxing, and Rashford lavished with praise for his goals, Bruno deserves due recognition for having his second-best season at Old Trafford.
He’s been integral and immense.
Attack – Solly March (Brighton)
March has statistically been the best player for a team that has got everyone talking this year, admired for their excellence and innovation.
Reimagined as a right-winger under Roberto De Zerbi, a player who has long been under-appreciated beyond the Amex has transformed into a goal-scoring game-changer, full of energy and ingenuity.
What’s the betting an England call-up lies in wait when he returns from injury?
Attack – Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal)
In a season full of revelations at the Emirates no player has stood out more than their young Brazilian, a winger who used to delight for the most part, but would typically follow up a Man of the Match performance with a couple of anonymous outings.
In 2022/23, greater consistency saw Martinelli torment full-backs on a weekly basis while 15 goals and five assists were invaluable to the Gunners’ title charge.
Attack – Ivan Toney (Brentford)
Controversy and a lengthy ban have of course seriously soured Toney’s year but on the pitch it was a vintage one for a striker who throughout his career has found the back of the net with unerring regularity.
0.61 goals-per-90 is a remarkable return when playing for a club that tends to cede possession. This comes through in his shot-count that is significantly lower than Haaland or Kane’s.
*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to AP Photo*
