Mohamed Salah, Kevin De Bruyne Lead PFA Premier League Team of the Year
Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah and Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne have both been included in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year.
The XI for the 2017-18 season was confirmed on Wednesday via the PFA Twitter account:
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The selection is a nod to the dominance of City this season, as De Bruyne and four other team-mates—Nicolas Otamendi, Kyle Walker, David Silva and Sergio Aguero—have been recognised for their excellent campaigns.
Tottenham Hotspur have three representatives in Harry Kane, Christian Eriksen and Jan Vertonghen, while Manchester United stopper David De Gea is again named between the sticks. Chelsea's left-back Marcos Alonso completes the team.
Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe offered his thoughts on the Team of the Season:
Salah and De Bruyne are expected to juke it out for the Player of the Year award after remarkable seasons for their respective sides.
The former has enjoyed an extraordinary debut season with the Reds following a move from Roma in the summer, netting 40 goals in all competitions already this term. Salah's form has been key to Liverpool progressing to the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League.
Of his 40 goals, 30 have come in the Premier League from just 32 appearances. As noted by the Sky Sports Statto account, there aren't many players in Liverpool's history that have enjoyed campaigns like Salah is having:
De Bruyne's had just as big an impact on the top flight this season without the same sort of numbers Salah has posted.
Operating in an orthodox midfield position, the Belgian has been the heartbeat behind one of the all-time great Premier League sides. De Bruyne's energy, technique and incredible passing range was key for City early in the season as they raced clear at the summit of the Premier League.
With seven goals and 15 assists, De Bruyne has also made a tangible contribution to the team this season. Squawka's Muhammad Butt outlined why he feels as though the City man has been the best player in the division:
Despite being one of the best strikers in world football for a long time now, Wednesday is also a landmark day for Aguero. It's the first time in his exceptional City career that he's been included in the PFA XI.
The 29-year-old has 21 Premier League goals and six assists already this campaign, although there have been times when manager Pep Guardiola has dropped the striker in favour of Gabriel Jesus at the point of the attack.
As noted by football writer Stephen Tudor, it's long overdue for Aguero, although not necessarily deserved:
Tottenham have had another campaign of progression under Mauricio Pochettino, and after the improvements made by Eriksen this season he's a worthy inclusion. Meanwhile, Vertonghen and Kane have continued to set high standards at different ends of the pitch.
In a disappointing season for United so far, De Gea has enhanced his reputation as one of the best goalkeepers in the world. Alonso's inclusion will raise eyebrows in some quarters, although consistent alternatives in the position are in short supply.
