Team of the Season is just around the corner, so we thought we'd make some predictions for who we expect to see in each of the major league Team of the Season squads coming during the promo this year.
Through the words of Patric, and the graphics of Helmar Designs, we'll show you who's expected to star in each team, explain the reasons for their inclusion, and give you a glimpse of what their Team of the Season Items could look like.
Today, we'll be taking a look at potential players from the Premier League.
Premier League Team of the Season Prediction
First of all, there are way more players who deserve a TOTS item than spots are available so there will for sure be discussions about some inclusions and some players who have been left out of our prediction. Especially with Arsenal performing really well, Newcastle United sitting third in the table and Manchester United hunting for a top-four finish, you’ll most likely see some surprises besides the usual names. But for now, go on and take a look at the potential players!
Premier League TOTS Starting XI
GK: Alisson (Liverpool FC)
There used to be a heated debate if Alisson or Ederson was the best goalkeeper in the Premier League, but Alisson has clearly won that debate, even as the Reds struggle in 2022/23 while Manchester City continue to be in the title conversation. Alisson has done everything he can to help Liverpool remain in contention for a European place. He never stops fighting, as we saw in 2020/21 when he scored a crucial goal to help the Reds qualify for the top four when their backs were last against the wall. This season, Alisson clearly has the most overall post-shot expected goals prevented. He has made monstrous stops to keep Liverpool in matches, dealing with a surprisingly leaky defence and a midfield that has suddenly become his team’s greatest liability. Bernd Leno, Nick Pope and David Raya all have been insane too this season but Alisson stood out even more and will be the goalkeeper in the Premier League TOTS in my opinion.
LB: Luke Shaw (Manchester United)
Luke Shaw is one of the most influential players at Old Trafford. The England international struggled to get more minutes in the early stages of Erik ten Haag’s appointment as Manchester United boss. However, he is now a key player in the squad and played a significant role in the Carabao Cup triumph. He's not as dangerous going forward and assisting goals as Kieran Trippier for example but still an important piece in Manchester United's 2022/23 top-four chase.
CB: William Saliba (Arsenal FC)
Arsenal's title charge has been unexpected, but they look on course to clinch their first Premier League triumph in 19 years. The likes of Martin Ødegaard, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli have earned the majority of the plaudits, but William Saliba has been something of an unsung hero. Following his arrival from Saint-Etienne in 2019, it took a while for him to work his way into Mikel Arteta's plans, spending time on loan with Les Verts, Nice and Marseille before joining up with the Gunners' squad for this term. Even at the age of just 21, he looks like he has been patrolling the backline for years, and his youth is ominous for opposing offences throughout the top flight.
CB: Sven Botman (Newcastle United)
Netherlands international Sven Botman was one of the most sought-after centre-backs in Europe during his time at Lille, so it comes as no surprise to see him settle into life at Newcastle United and in the Premier League with ease. Eddie Howe was somewhat reluctant to throw him straight in as a guaranteed starter, but as soon as he saw his ability, Botman became one of the first names on the team sheet. If the Toon are to fulfil their potential over the coming years, Botman, at just 23 years old, is sure to have an even bigger impact then, even as more and more fresh faces come through the door in the northeast.
RB: Kieran Trippier (Newcastle United)
Kieran Trippier has been a game-changer since he arrived at St James’s Park in the 2021/22 campaign. He is one of the best defenders in the Premier League. The former Atlético Madrid guardian has been flawless at the back and kept Eddie Howe’s team running. His performance last season helped the club to be ranked among the top two Premier League teams with fewer goals conceded and on top of that he's dangerous going forward, having registered six assists at the time of writing this.
CDM: Casemiro (Manchester United)
For years Manchester United have been craving a deep-lying central midfielder capable of breaking up play and quelling counter-attacks, and finally they’ve found their man in Casemiro. However, he has proven he is so much more than that this season, his leadership qualities and even passing range surprising many - although, playing alongside Toni Kroos and Luka Modrić would cast a shadow over anyone's passing ability. Regardless, Casemiro has been a rock in the Manchester United side, and his absence is certainly felt when missing from the team, such as against Arsenal at the Emirates. He even managed to pop up with a last-minute equaliser against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in October, prompting some euphoric and hilarious celebrations from the Brazilian. An exceptional footballer reinforcing his quality in the Premier League.
CM: Martin Ødegaard (Arsenal FC)
It’s quite difficult to hate Arsenal and Martin Ødegaard is a big part of that. He’s fiercely competitive without ever going over the line. He controls games of football, but the way he keeps his emotions in check is perhaps what sets him apart. He’s a brilliant captain and Mikel Arteta deserves huge credit for that call, with Ødegaard’s appointment ushering in Arsenal’s meteoric rise. With 10 goals and 7 assists at the time of writing this, he's just one goal contribution behind Kevin De Bruyne and absolutely deserves to be in this year's Premier League TOTS.
CM: Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)
Taking the sidecar rather than the spotlight, Kevin De Bruyne has found himself on fewer back pages, thanks to his Scandi sidekick. But he's been his usual, magnificent best: changing games with a swing of either peg and providing the ammunition for the rest of Manchester City's star-studded side. He's still incredible – and has a whole other gear he's capable of stepping up to.
RW: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool FC)
Mohamed Salah passed a milestone in the 2022/23 campaign when overtaking Robbie Fowler to become Liverpool's all-time record scorer in the Premier League. Even though Liverpool has had a troubled season and still is, the Egyptian has continued to make the numbers. So far this season, he scored 13 goals and registered 7 assists and for sure Liverpool would completely struggle without his goal contributions.
RM: Bukayo Saka (Arsenal FC)
He was creating chances from left-back to rival top playmakers. He moved to the left-wing and looked even better. Now, he's perhaps a top-three right-winger in world football – and still just 21 years old. Bukayo Saka has been unstoppable in the Premier League this season, as Arteta's Arsenal have become everything they've threatened. Defenders have stood off him (see Luke Shaw), fouled him and doubled up on him – but no one can foil him. He's unstoppable at his best – creative, decisive and deadly – and though the Gunners have many ways to beat a team, he's everyone's favourite. He's having the season of his life.
ST: Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
What is there really to say about this Norwegian goalscoring freak? His 30 goals are already more than the number of goals the last three golden boot winners have scored, while it seems fairly inevitable the 22-year-old will surpass Mohamed Salah’s record of 32 goals in a 38-game season. While he’s fast on the pitch, he’s also fast at breaking records, too. He reached 10 goals in his Premier League career after just six games, with it taking him just the first eight games of the season to score three hat-tricks - all coming in consecutive home games, too. Ridiculous.
Premier League TOTS Substitutes
CB: Ben Mee (Brentford FC)
Ben Mee is one backbone of Thomas Frank’s Brentford side. The 30-year-old has been outstanding despite doubts about the club’s decision to sign him following his departure from relegated Burnley. Since his debut against Leicester City in August, he has been consistent in the first team and currently ranks as the third player with the most appearances at the club.
CM: James Ward-Prowse (Southampton)
It's refreshing that though nothing is permanent in the modern world, James Ward-Prowse's ability to endlessly whip set-pieces onto the heads of Southampton teammates will outlast us all. JWP has been the shining light of a drab season at St. Mary's – and goodness knows where the Saints would be without their skipper. He's been as reliable as ever and consistently puts in hard work.
LW: Marcus Rashford (Manchester United)
Marcus Rashford always threatened this level of performance but could never deliver it consistently. Yet the things he's been doing this season have been world-class, as he tears through teams like a whirlwind. He's rediscovered his best form as Manchester United have found more stability and now he's showing everyone just how good he really is – and how much he's evolved as a player since the management of Ole Gunnar Solskjær. Comparisons have been made to Kylian Mbappé in terms of the power he exudes and the ability to lean back and smash with his right foot.
ST: Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur)
It is testament to Harry Kane’s immense ability that he is still thriving while his Tottenham teammates struggle around him. The England captain has single-handedly kept Spurs’ top-four ambitions alive, scoring 23 goals in the league this season already. Without Erling Haaland setting superhuman records, Kane’s goalscoring record would be lauded in a defensive and uncreative Tottenham side. Rumours of Kane leaving the club in the summer are still floating around and it will be interesting to see what will happen with the English international.
Premier League TOTS Honourable Mentions
CB: Fabian Schär (Newcastle United)
Fabian Schär, Sven Botman, and Kieran Trippier have established a solid defensive wall at St James’s Park. The trio has single-handedly kept the magpies in some of the most crucial games this season. Fabian Schär has been exceptional this season and has established a formidable partnership alongside Sven Botman. The 31-year-old central defender had a good showing last season as Newcastle United emerged in the top two teams with fewer goals conceded last season and at the time of writing this Newcastle United has conceded the lowest amount of goals so far with Fabian Schär being a big reason for it and therefore absolutely deserves to be included in the side.
CAM: Alexis Mac Allister (Brighton & Hove Albion)
He enjoyed quite the season, playing and starring in all but the opener Argentina lost on their way to World Cup glory, scoring against Poland and assisting in the final against France. And in a search for one player to explain Brighton’s brilliance this season, most would pick him out. He’s formed a Champions League-level central midfield partnership with Moisés Caicedo, and both will have multiple offers from top European clubs when the summer transfer window opens. With box-to-box midfielders boasting both creativity and snap in the tackle once again coveted in top-level football, Mac Allister at £60m would be a snip.
RW: Miguel Almirón (Newcastle United)
Some players need time to adapt to the Premier League, while some need their manager to give them a proverbial kick up the arse. Some, though, simply need a little bit of light-hearted ridicule from a certain Jack Grealish. Ever since he derogatorily compared Manchester City teammate Riyad Mahrez to Miguel Almirón in May 2022, the diminutive Paraguayan has thrived in English football. Indeed, he scored six goals in six games in October to pick up the Premier League Player of the Month award, while his finish against Fulham also earned him the Premier League Goal of the Month, too. In total, Miggy has scored eleven goals in 24 games so far this season, nailing down the right-wing spot in Newcastle’s side as they fly in third place in the table. Continued strong performances from one of their many standout players could ensure their qualification for next season’s Champions League.
LW: Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal FC)
Gabriel Martinelli has really come into his own this season, playing with confidence and an attacking verve Saka is also managing to display on the opposite flank. 14 goals and four assists is a decent return for him, with Arteta clearly trusting the young Brazilian as he has started in most of Arsenal’s games so far this season. Improved consistency in his performances in every game is now the target for Martinelli to truly kick on, and, if he manages that, then Arsenal certainly has every chance of ending the season with the Premier League trophy.
ST: Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)
Ollie Watkins is the first man to score in five consecutive Premier League games for Aston Villa and is in stunning form this season. After a difficult start to the season that brought as many managers as goals, he is back on course and reached double figures in the Premier League for a third consecutive season, sitting at 12 goals and five assists so far and is one of the reasons Aston Villa is actually sitting sixth in the standings. If he can continue to deliver goals he might play European football next season with Aston Villa.
When is the Premier League TOTS released for FIFA 23?
The Premier League TOTS will be released on May 5th, 2023.
Do you agree with our Premier League Team of the Season? Did we miss anyone out? Let us know in the comments!
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