Premier League Team of the Season (So Far)

As the 2023-24 Premier League season unfolds, we've now crossed the one-third mark of the campaign. This season promises one of the most wide-open title races in recent memory, with league leaders Arsenal only four points ahead of fifth-placed Tottenham.

During the recent international break, I took the opportunity to craft my Premier League Team of the Season (So Far). I set a single constraint for this exercise – no more than two players from any given team could make the cut. While this might result in some teams being underrepresented, I believe it's the fairest approach.

For each player, I'll share pertinent statistics showcasing their impact on the game. Please note that the statistics provided are percentile ranks, comparing players to others in the same position on a per 90 basis.

Let's dive in. 

GK: Thomas Kaminski - Luton Town

In Luton Town's fight against relegation, Thomas Kaminski stands out as a crucial guardian in goal, playing a vital role in keeping his team above the drop zone.

Luton has faced numerous challenges this season, conceding less xG against than only 20th-placed Sheffield United. According to FBRef, Kaminski has exceeded expectations by stopping +3.5 goals above the expected count, placing him at the league's top spot with a significant lead over his peers (André Onana trails at +2.4).

With 50 saves and an impressive 69.4% save percentage, Kaminski's shot-stopping skills have been instrumental for Luton's survival. While clean sheets have been elusive, his standout performances in crucial draws against Forrest and Liverpool, with a combined 11 saves, and his heroic display against Crystal Palace with seven saves, underscore his importance.

In the challenging role of Luton's last line of defense, Kaminski has not only met but exceeded expectations. As the season unfolds, his consistent performance will be key if Luton aims to fend off challenges from teams like Everton and Bournemouth in the relegation battle.

Honorable Mentions: Andre Onana, Sam Johnstone, Guglielmo Vicario 

RB: Kieran Trippier - Newcastle United

Kieran Trippier, who secured a place in last year's PFA Team of the Year, continues to be a linchpin for Newcastle's success. 

Trippier's undeniable influence on Newcastle's attack has been pivotal, playing a key role in their goal-scoring efforts that rank just below the likes of Manchester City and Aston Villa this season. 

His standout statistics further emphasize his impact, boasting 9 Big Chances Created—second only to Liverpool's Mohamed Salah across the league. Additionally, Trippier leads the Magpies with 6 assists, 4.1 expected assists, and an impressive 35 key passes, solidifying his contribution to their attacking prowess. 

In a competitive landscape featuring top-tier right-backs such as Kyle Walker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Reece James, Trippier's sustained excellence since returning to England almost two years ago distinguishes him and merits well-deserved praise. 

Honorable Mentions: Kyle Walker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Matty Cash

CB: William Saliba - Arsenal

In a surprising move, I've chosen William Saliba as the sole representative from Arsenal in this selection, fully aware it might not be a popular choice. Allow me to elaborate.

Arsenal's evolution this season marks them as legitimate contenders for the Premier League title. Their pragmatic approach and commitment to teamwork, even at the expense of certain star players, distinguish them from the previous season. This is why I refrained from including another Arsenal player in the lineup.

Saliba stands out as one of Europe's premier center halves at present. His impact on Arsenal's performance is unmistakable, reflected in their results with and without him on the pitch. Notably, Saliba hasn't missed a single minute of Premier League action this season.

Over the first 13 games, Arsenal boasts the league's best defensive record, limiting opponents to a mere 10.3 expected goals against. Saliba contributes not only to Mikel Arteta's side's control of matches (60.9% possession on the season) but also brings a commanding presence and organizational prowess to the team.

Should Arsenal maintain their title pursuit, Saliba is poised to be a frontrunner for Player of the Year honors.

Honorable Mentions: Thiago Silva, James Tarkowski, Cristian Romero

CB: Joachim Andersen - Crystal Palace

Despite a recent setback with Crystal Palace's 2-1 loss to Luton Town, I stand firm in selecting Joachim Andersen for this spot.

Andersen, with a wealth of experience, quietly stands as one of the league's most seasoned and well-rounded defenders. His prowess as an excellent distributor from the back is notable, particularly for his skill in executing long diagonal passes that facilitate play-switching—a crucial element in Palace's build-up. Leading in touches, progressive passes, and other key possession metrics, Andersen plays a pivotal role in Palace's game.

Defensively, he showcases resilience, forming a robust partnership with Marc Guéhi at the heart of the Palace team.

Adding to his repertoire, Andersen poses a goal threat, contributing two goals already to a struggling Palace attack.

Despite recent results, Andersen's consistent contributions have been a driving force behind Crystal Palace's overachievement in recent seasons. It's high time Andersen receives the recognition he deserves, even if it means passing over some flashier alternatives.

Honorable Mentions: Micky van de Ven, Rúben Dias, Virgil van Dijk

LB: Andrew Robertson - Liverpool

In a league abundant with quality right-backs, the left-back position presents fewer standout options. My pick for this spot is Andy Robertson, who, before a November injury setback, showcased a solid resurgence following struggles last season.

While not the dynamic force of previous years, Robertson remains a reliable fullback, contributing to Liverpool's play in all three phases. Despite his altered role, there's been a noticeable uptick in Shot-Creating Actions and completed passes per 90. Additionally, he's become more defensively engaged, averaging 1.5 more defensive actions per 90 than the previous season.

Liverpool's return to the title race necessitates Robertson's impactful return from injury. While Kostas Tsimikas is a serviceable option, the team relies on Robertson's unique contributions.

With no standout alternative at left-back, I opted for one of the Premier League's finest, even if his playing style has evolved over the seasons.

Honorable Mentions: Oleksandr Zinchenko, Destiny Udogie, Lucas Digne

DM: Rodri - Manchester City

It's an understatement to say that Rodri is indispensable to Manchester City's success. His impact, evident in pivotal moments last season, including the Champions League triumph, has only intensified this year.

When Kevin De Bruyne faced an early-season hamstring injury, Rodri seamlessly transitioned from his role as a controller to a creator, amassing 55 Shot-Creating Actions, the most for City and the sixth-highest in the Premier League.

Across the league, he leads in Passes into the Final Third, ranks second in Progressive Passes, and third in overall touches. Few players can single-handedly dictate a game's tempo, and Rodri is undoubtedly one of them.

His absence due to a red card suspension resulted in consecutive losses to Wolves and Arsenal, underscoring his irreplaceable role. In the 11 league games featuring Rodri this season, City boasts an impressive 9-2-0 record with an average of 2.2 xG per game. In the two losses without him, City struggled, averaging only 0.7 xG per game, scoring once and conceding thrice.

Rodri's influence is undeniable, and City's current standing in the top four owes much to his contributions. Despite stiff competition, he rightfully claims his spot in this team.

Honorable Mentions: Declan Rice, Douglas Luiz, João Palhinha

CM: Bernardo Silva - Manchester City

Choosing a position for Bernardo Silva almost feels like cheating because, truth be told, he defies traditional roles. A glance at his heatmap for this season reveals a player covering the entire attacking and middle third of the pitch.

His versatility is unmatched; he might start wide to leverage his ball control and one-on-one ability, or next to Rodri in the heart of midfield, or even as a number 10 to complement deeper midfielders like Matheus Nunes or Mateo Kovacic. Regardless of his position, Silva consistently displays the intelligence and technical prowess we've come to expect.

Highlighted in an insightful piece by The Athletic's Michael Cox, there's a compelling argument that Bernardo Silva might be the best player in the Premier League right now.

Much like Rodri, Silva plays a pivotal role in mitigating the impact of Kevin De Bruyne's absence, assuming a larger creative role. In Premier League action this season, he boasts 3 goals and 3 assists, leading the team in xAG (expected assisted goals).

Excluding prolific goal-scorer Erling Haaland, with 14 goals in 13 games, speaks volumes about Silva's impact on City. This football genius simply couldn't be overlooked in my team.

Honorable Mentions: James Ward-Prowse, John McGinn, Pascal Groß 

AM: James Maddison - Tottenham Hotspur

Pound for pound, James Maddison is the standout signing of the Premier League season so far, and his immediate impact on Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs side has been nothing short of crucial.

Before an ankle fracture sidelined him until Christmas, Maddison was the linchpin of the Spurs attack, a role many questioned after Harry Kane's departure. The London club began the season with a stellar 9-2-0 record through 11 matchweeks. During this period, Maddison contributed significantly with 5 goals, 3 assists, and an astounding 80 Shot-Creating Actions, leading the entire Premier League.

Remarkably, he ranks in the top ten for nearly every key passing metric, including an average of 1.23 Goal-Creating Actions per 90, far beyond the next best in the top flight.

The correlation between Maddison's absence and Spurs' first loss, followed by two subsequent defeats, is evident. While Maddison's injury has tempered expectations after their red-hot start, Spurs can still aim for a top-four finish if they navigate the challenges in his absence over the next month.

Honorable Mentions: Bruno Fernandes, Dominik Szoboszlai, Lucas Paquetá

RW: Mohamed Salah - Liverpool

Once again, faced with a challenging decision among a pool of outstanding wingers in England, I find myself opting for Mohamed Salah, a player with three PFA Team of the Year appearances already—a choice that might seem predictable.

However, Salah's consistent ability to reinvent himself for the sake of Liverpool's success sets him apart. Despite the significant changes at Liverpool in recent seasons, Salah's output remains unwavering. With 10 goals and 5 assists through 13 matchweeks, he's on pace for his most prolific season since his debut campaign in 2017-18.

Liverpool leads the Premier League in expected goals so far (27.1), largely attributed to Salah's expanded creative role in Jurgen Klopp’s revamped attacking setup.

Even as a rival fan, there's no denying Salah's ability and unwavering consistency since his arrival in England. Liverpool's title contention this season is significantly bolstered by Salah's frightening efficiency.

This is no disrespect to the impressive Bukayo Saka, who deserves consideration, but Salah's exceptional output has set him apart.

Honorable Mentions: Bukayo Saka, Jarrod Bowen, Phil Foden

ST: Son Heung-min - Tottenham Hotspur

In the absence of Harry Kane, Son Heung-min has assumed a truly talismanic role, leading a Spurs side that has exceeded expectations.

Renowned as one of the league's best finishers over the years, with 111 career league goals from 67.0 xG, the South Korean has seamlessly transitioned into his new central striker role, already tallying 8 league goals in 2023-24.

What sets Son apart is his ability to maintain the completeness of his game and create opportunities for others. Despite his role shift under Postecoglou, he showcases respectable creative numbers and maintains the elite finishing ability we associate with him.

Arguably, this new role appears tailor-made for Son's abilities, affording him more freedom in the final third while preserving his elite finishing prowess. With 4.62 non-penalty shots and open play chances per 90 this season, Son ranks in the 94th percentile of Premier League attackers for attacking contribution.

Following a challenging 2022-23 season, Son has rebounded significantly, emerging as a leader for Spurs both on and off the pitch this season. This resurgence is deserving of recognition, even over the remarkable Erling Haaland.

Honorable Mentions: Erling Haaland, Ollie Watkins, Alexander Isak

LW: Bryan Mbeumo - Brentford

In a season marked by the absence of Ivan Toney, Brentford seamlessly continued their impressive form, largely thanks to Bryan Mbeumo.

The Cameroon international has been a stalwart presence with the Bees since their Championship days, and his ascent through English football mirrors the success of his club.

With Toney sidelined at the start of this season, Mbeumo stepped up as Brentford's premier goal threat, already notching an impressive 6 goals and contributing 2 assists.

However, his impact goes beyond goal-scoring; Mbeumo is also a playmaker for his teammates. Currently ranking fourth in the Premier League with 3.8 expected assists and seventh with 54 Shot-Creating Actions, he showcases a dynamic ability to create opportunities.

Crucially, Brentford doesn't enjoy the possession and control typical of the top six sides, making Mbeumo's output even more commendable within this context.

While the competition among fantastic wingers is fierce, Mbeumo's unique ability to elevate Brentford sets him apart.

Honorable Mentions: Jeremy Doku, Gabriel Martinelli, Anthony Gordon

Thanks for reading!

I hope you enjoyed my early Team of the Season. With much more football ahead, expect changes to this lineup. Let me know what you think—did I get 11/11 right, or did I miss something obvious (besides Haaland)?