TOTWPL TOTS Starting XI
We take a look at those players who have performed throughout the season with their retrospective sides, starting off the Team of the Season predictions with the Premier League. Arsenal and City dominate, while many of your expected faces feature.
GK: David Raya (Arsenal) - 87 OVR -> 96 OVR:
A lot of credit goes to the Arsenal backline, but without Raya, the stats they have recorded would not have been possible. The Spaniard has made several big saves for the league leaders, and with a league-leading 15 clean sheets and just twenty-two goals conceded from 31 appearances so far, I think it’s difficult to argue against Raya here.
LB: Nico O'Reilly (Man City) - 73 OVR -> 94 OVR:
In terms of breakthrough players, the biggest has to be O'Reilly. A name not many knew about prior to this season, the youngster has broken into the City squad and made that LB role his own. He has consistently performed down the left-hand side, coming up with some key attacking returns as well, recording four goals and three assists for them. City also maintain the second-best defence in the division. Basically, this inclusion is practically guaranteed.
CB: Gabriel (Arsenal) - 88 OVR -> 95 OVR:
Arsenal made a reputation for themselves this season as being set-piece specialists, and Gabriel plays a key role in that. With three goals and four assists, he has been a consistent threat from set pieces, and putting that alongside the best defensive record in the division, Gabriel becomes an easy addition to the side. I think the Brazilian is widely regarded among the best CBs in world football as things stand, being one of Arsenal's standout players throughout the campaign.
CB: Marc Guehi (Man City) - 82 OVR -> 94 OVR:
Guehi is not mentioned as much as he should be for this side, and I feel that’s down to his mid-season transfer. His performances for Palace were arguably the best in the division from CB, and then since making the high-profile move to Man City, he has retained that role and become a key part of the second-best defence in the division. The alternative is likely Saliba, but with three Arsenal defensive options already, I feel a fourth is pushing it.
RB: Jurrien Timber (Arsenal) - 82 OVR -> 93 OVR:
When it comes to the RB position, there are a couple of strong contenders, but I think it would be a travesty for the eventual inclusion not to be Timber. The Dutchman has transitioned to that RB role like he’s played there all his life. Defensively solid and consistently chipping in with attacking returns, which is often important for the modern-day full-back. With three goals, five assists, and a key role in that strongest defence in the division, can you really argue against Timber?
LM: Antoine Semenyo (Man City) - 80 OVR -> 97 OVR:
You could argue Semenyo's inclusion as either a RM or LM, but with more games coming down the left-hand side over the course of his season, I have to opt for that side. Semenyo makes a case for Player of the Season with fifteen goals and four assists across both Bournemouth and Man City this season. There were question marks around his potential minutes at City, but it's clear to see he is already one of Pep's favourites, instantly becoming a key player for them.
CM: Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United) - 87 OVR -> 96 OVR:
It appears that United are on the way back now. Carrick has done a phenomenal job since the departure of Amorim, and the Red Devils sit in third as a result of their recent form. There have been a few key players for them, but none have been more important than Fernandes, the face of Man United over the past few seasons. The Portuguese midfielder has an impressive sixteen assists from twenty-eight matches, a tally which is halved for second-placed Cherki. With an additional eight goals to his name, it's clear to see just how influential Fernandes has been throughout this season.
CM: Declan Rice (Arsenal) - 87 OVR -> 96 OVR:
Rice perhaps controversially made EA's TOTY in January, but his position in this side is not up for debate. Rice has been a key player in this Arsenal side, which likely goes on to lift the title now. With five goals and four assists, Rice has provided key attacking returns, but this is not the aim of his role in the side. He does a lot of the defensive work for them, allowing other players in the side more freedom. With 57 tackles and 30 interceptions within a side which dominates possession of the ball, it outlines his importance within Arsenal's success this season.
RM: Bukayo Saka (Arsenal) - 88 OVR -> 95 OVR:
I could have easily snubbed Saka for this side, with the Englishman going AWOL for parts of the campaign, but the right-sided options are few and far between, and with Arsenal now heavy favourites to lift the title, it seems wrong not to include their starboy Saka. With six goals and three assists, it is not his best season in terms of attacking returns, but he brings a lot more to the field than just that now. There’s good reason as to why he’s loved by their fans.
ST: Igor Thiago (Brentford) - 75 OVR -> 95 OVR:
It's Brentford's model to find and develop players, and it's becoming an impressive trend. Thiago is another who fits their model, currently the second-highest goalscorer this season with 19 to his name, with his performances seemingly making him the favourite to lead Brazil's frontline in the summer. At just twenty-four years of age, it's a promising future ahead of Thiago, who likely won't remain at Brentford next season.
ST: Erling Haaland (Man City) - 90 OVR -> 97 OVR:
While Haaland has hit somewhat of a dry patch, especially to his standards, throughout the second half of the season, the Norwegian is still the Golden Boot frontrunner with twenty-two to his name. This is a number that walks a player into TOTS regardless of what period the goals came from. Twenty-two goals and seven assists in just twenty-nine appearances offers an output of an attacking return per match on average, something very few can ever achieve.
PL TOTS Predicted Subs
GK: Gianluigi Donnarumma (Man City) - 89 OVR -> 95 OVR:
For me, this was between two keepers, with both Donnarumma and Pickford making their claims for the second goalkeeper spot (if there even is one). In the past, we have seen EA give preferential treatment towards players included in TOTY, and with the Italian claiming that accolade, I lean his way. That being said, with 64 saves, 24 goals conceded, and 11 clean sheets, Donnarumma has stood out throughout the campaign.
RB: Dominik Szoboszlai (Liverpool) - 83 OVR -> 94 OVR:
Szoboszlai has played all over for Liverpool this season, so his eventual position in TOTS, should he receive one, is up for debate. With the Hungarian playing RB in recent times and likely seeing that continue to the end of the season, I am swaying in that direction. Liverpool will likely receive an inclusion, though, and Szoboszlai is the route into that. With five goals and three assists, alongside some key standout highlight reels, Szoboszlai has developed into one of Liverpool's key players.
CM: Casemiro (Man United) - 80 OVR -> 94 OVR:
There were growing concerns about Casemiro's ability to keep up with the demands of the Premier League, but he has put all those question marks to bed this season, playing a key role in United's impressive campaign. With seven goals and two assists, the Brazilian has been pivotal at both ends of the pitch, with the Red Devils missing him when he's not available for selection.
RM: Harry Wilson (Fulham) - 76 OVR -> 92 OVR:
There’s often a player excelling from a non-typical club each season who then sneaks into TOTS. This year’s player for the Premier League has to be Harry Wilson. With ten goals and six assists to his name, he is 9th and 4th respectively in both categories. Fulham continue to consistently finish in that mid-table area, but without Wilson, this season could have been significantly worse for them.
CM: James Garner (Everton) - 76 OVR -> 92 OVR:
Everton have somewhat gone under the radar this season, but their performances, specifically towards the second half of the season, have made them into European contenders, which, considering recent relegation battles, is impressive. There were a few players in contention for a position in this side, but I have gone a little unorthodox with Garner. He has been a consistent performer for the Toffees in the middle of the park, scoring twice and assisting six, with his performances seeing him rewarded with an England call-up.
CAM: Morgan Rodgers (Aston Villa) - 82 OVR -> 92 OVR:
It's looking more and more likely that Aston Villa will clinch that fourth spot this season, and if that’s the case, I simply cannot ignore them from an 18-man TOTS prediction. There isn’t anyone who I can say is nailed on; however, Rodgers was a fringe option for me, and with that in mind, I have to include him. With eight goals and five assists, he has been a consistent source of goals for Aston Villa this season.
ST: Joao Pedro (Chelsea) - 79 OVR -> 94 OVR:
While the two main strikers pick themselves, the bench position is much more up for debate, with the likes of Gyokeres, Welbeck, and Ekitike all narrowly missing out. It's Pedro who I have ultimately opted for, and considering the Brazilian can often play behind the striker, his fourteen goals this season do stand out ahead of other candidates.
That concludes the Premier League Team of the Season predictions! What do you make of these predictions? Is there anyone else who should have made the TOTS? Let us know below!