Premier League Team of the Season So Far

These 11 men have excelled in their respective positions this season

GK - Matz Sels - Nottingham Forest

The Belgian shot-stopper was brought in by Forest last January, as Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis was desperate to put an end to his glut of inconsistent and underachieving goalkeepers, who placed the Reds right at the bottom of the defensive stats. After cementing his place as Forest's number 1 last Spring, Sels has displayed his remarkable reflexes and reliable footwork, leading to the dismissal of fellow goalkeepers: Matt Turner, Odysseas Vlachodimos, and Wayne Hennessey. This season he has kept 5 clean sheets from just 15 matches, including a memorable trip to Anfield. (Forest, incidentally are the only team to win away at Liverpool this season). His save percentage rate of 71% is an incredible improvement to all his predecessors and the big man has surely been a key reason for Forest's advanced position in the Premier League table.

An honourable mention has to go to Caomhin Kelleher who has deputised spectacularly in Alisson's absence, and should earn a move to at least a mid-table Premier League team, sooner rather than later.

LB - Antonee Robinson - Fulham

The man known as Jedi by his teammates clearly possesses a force-like understanding of the game of football, not only preventing opposing forwards of the calibre of Saka and Bowen from scoring against his side, but also contributing to Fulham's attack with a (high for defenders) of four assists in the league.

Shout-out to Rico Lewis who has performed brilliantly for a struggling Manchester City side in what is turning into a breakout season for the man from Bury.

The Hungarian Milos Kerkez is also impressing for Bournemouth who are currently pulling well above their weight.

CB - Nikola Milenkovic - Nottingham Forest

It was a sight reminiscent of days of old. A huge Serbian centre half, flying through the air to pound home a header at Old Trafford. You would be forgiven for thinking the ghost of Nemanja Vidic had returned to Manchester, but on this ocassion it was against the Red Devils. A new brute was in town. Transformative for Nottingham Forest, Milenkovic arrived at the City Ground this summer for a cut price fee of £12m and ranks among the best deals this summer.

What should the team with the worst set piece record in the league do to fix their issues? To the Forest board the answer was simple. Sign the defender with the highest aerial-duel success rate in Serie A. And that's only when the opposing player had the guts to even attempt to challenge him.

CB - Gabriel - Arsenal

Arsenal's recent struggles may have made back-page headlines if they didn't have the Brazilian beast that is Gabriel, in the spine of their team. Defensive actions rank among the highest in the division, and his three goals have been crucial to carry his side through a difficult period. Gabriel has continued his incredible partnership with William Saliba - only Liverpool have conceded fewer.

The Liverpool defensive duo of Van Dijk and Konate have also been incredibly efficient this season, but the Arsenal pair's threat from set pieces places them in my team.

RB - Ola Aina - Nottingham Forest

Out pacing Kyle Walker, smashing volleys into the top corner, playing 1-2s with best-friend Cal Hudson-Odoi. These are just a few of Ola Aina's virtues for Nottingham Forest this season. The Nigerian full-back's stock has soared after being picked up on a free after leaving Torino, the former Chelsea and Fulham man has finally found some form playing in the Premier League.

Able to play on both sides of a back four or five, Aina's versatility - infused with a consistency Forest haven't seen in a fullback since the likes of Stuart Pearce - have been a key part in catapulting Forest up the table. Oh, and his long throws can only be described as like a catapult into the corridor of uncertainty.

Another option for the right-back position is a man who has overcome adversity and been a bright spark in a poor Manchester United team: Amad Diallo. Brought in two years ago he has finally conveyed the reason he cost £35m, not only as a frontman (6 assists, more than Fernandes) but helping to defend as well.

CDM - Moises Caicedo - Chelsea

The £100m pound man is finally displaying his true potential; covering every blade of grass at Stamford Bridge seems to have been a preseason aim for the Ecuadorian who has also filled out at the right-back position.

Never taking his foot off the accelerator is a main string to his bow. After a tough year under Pochettino, Enzo Maresca's squad rotation has kept Caicedo fresh and sharp for Premier League matches every weekend, finally re-conjuring his Brighton form. His anchor-like capabilities contribute to his ability to intercept and spray passes forward to his talented teammates (many of whom cost almost as much as he did).

CM - Ryan Gravenberch - Liverpool

The smiling Dutchman knows when to switch on his beam, and after Klopp's departure many expected this current season to be a slog for the Scousers, thus needing Gravenberch to cheer them up. But it has not been that way.

Liverpool are flying at the top of the league and look set to run away with the title. Gravenberch is a key cog in Arne Slot's well-oiled machine. Occupying wide positions allows Liverpool to easily find their star men,

and Gravenberch understood his role at the Reds would involve rotation, and submitting to Mo Salah's every desire. But he has quietly excelled, looking composed on the ball and determined to retrieve it the rest of the time.

Liverpool's need for a new holding midfielder has diminished due to the rise of Gravenberch who looks set to be a stalwart in a top European team for many years to come.

CAM - Cole Palmer - Chelsea

Perfection in every essence of the word in terms of his attacking output.

Palmer burst onto the scene last year to produce one of the finest individual seasons in recent history. 22 goals and 11 assists. Incredible. Seemingly unrepeatable? Nope. Just over a third of the way into this season and Palmer is as good as ever before. 17 goal contributions sets him on target to better last season's totals, and potentially raise his young player of the season acclaim to the overall award this May. His mantelpiece may be starting to heave as despite his club and his manager's repeated insistences, Chelsea ARE in the title race.

His link-up play with Nico Jackson and all-round brilliance are the main point in their favour.

'Antarctica's GOAT (greatest of all time)' was how a well-known YouTuber described the man known widely as 'Cold' Palmer. His celebration reflects his own understanding of the ice running through his veins.

Palmer is inevitable.

LW - Mohammed Salah - Liverpool

In potentially his final season for Liverpool, there is no sign of Mo Salah getting sentimental, or slowing down, or quite simply adjusting his game to the natural flow of time. Salah continues to be a pivotal presence for Liverpool, and is consistently among the top scorers and assisters in the world, let alone the Premier League. What makes his record-breaking achievements all the more remarkable is that Salah plays off the right wing. Only one player can match his goal output from playing in a similar position: Lionel Messi. That's not to say the two are alike, of course there are similarities in their brilliance, but Salah's composure and directness towards goal is contrasted in Messi's unnatural glide towards the other side of the pitch. Both are among the best of our generation, and for me, Salah is the best player of this Premier League season so far, and the best player of the entire Premier League era (sign up to get notified of that post).

RW - Bukayo Saka - Arsenal

On the other wing of our artificial line-up, 'starboy' Saka has found a place in the hearts of Arsenal and England fans, of course, but also the hearts of a generation. Seeing the left-back turned right-winger blossom under the guidance of Mikel Arteta is beautiful. Has he reached that

'world class' threshold that many a Gunners fan will tell you he is at? Potentially.

But for now, seeing him thrive for Arsenal and try bring a Premier League title to his half of North London is a sight which thrills everyone across the football supporting spectrum.

ST - Chris Wood - Nottingham Forest

Now to a man who's signing in January of 2023 left Forest fans scratching their heads in bewilderment and disgust at the perceived wastefulness of owner Marinakis' money.

How wrong they (OK I'll include myself on this one) all were. Only the renowned triplet of Haaland, Salah and Palmer have outscored the Kiwi target man this campaign. That's not including the six goals he's scored for his country whilst on international duty for New Zealand - over 24 hours in the air from Nottingham!

Chris Wood is showing no signs of slowing down. Although Haaland burst out the traps with ten goals in his first six games, Wood's determination and strength may yet see him overtake Haaland. The rebirth of the traditional number 9 in modern football coincides with the upcoming birth of Wood's first child, and

contributes to making this season, one to cherish.

Manager - Arne Slot - Liverpool

Replacing Jurgen Klopp and continuing his legacy in the red side of Liverpool appeared to be the hardest job in world football last summer, but FSG's trust in Slot has paid dividends. The decision to bring in a manager with a similar, entertaining style of play, who could also seamlessly place himself into the bridge of a warship, has resulted in Liverpool topping the Premier League table. Only one new face this summer - on the playing side - has not worried Slot. On the contrary, his initiation into the side was smoother than anyone could have imagined.

While credit must go to both Enzo Maresca and Nuno, who have revitalised their two sides, Slot rules high, both as current manager of the season, and the man who leads the empire at the summit of English football.