My Premier League Starting XI

The Premier League season is over and it has been for quite some time (sorry I know this is late). Regardless, there were some stars who really stood out to me this year that I gravitated to. Here's my starting XI made up of my favorite players this season.

Goalie- Best goalie this season? Alisson Becker? Ederson? Nope. Try Lukas Fabianski. Fabianski led the league with 148 saves (premierleague.com). Although he was sensational this season I heard very little about him. Fabianski was signed from Swansea City before the season started and he has to be one of the steals of the summer. The 34-year-old Polish international helped West Ham finish in the top 10. Hats off to Fabianski for a sensational season.

CB - Ok I know you've seen this a million times this season but bear with me. To not put Virgil Van Dijk on this team would be excessively stupid. He's not only the best center back in the Premier League, but he's the best center back in the world. The Dutch star was excellent last year but his performance this season makes him worthy of all the hype. Van Dijk is a crucial part of Liverpool's team and his stats may not blow your mind, but his defensive awareness and ability to lead the team is invaluable. Throw his name in the hat for Ballon d'Or. He's been that good.

CB- Now the last thing I want to do is give a Manchester City player an award but I have to. Aymeric Laporte has been one of the leagues best defenders this season. The 24-year-old Frenchmen exploded onto the scene this year as he became a regular in the City's starting lineup. City is a team with depth at the center of defense with the likes of John Stones, Nicolas Otamendi, and Vincent Kompany. Before the season started, I had no idea who Laporte was and I was like why the hell is he playing over Otamendi and Stones? But now, I understand why considering he was amazing this season. Now, with Kompany leaving, City will not have to look elsewhere and splash on a young center back considering they already have one of the best in the league in Laporte. Laporte and Stones next year? That's a center-back pairing that could go down in Manchester City history.

LB- Andrew Robertson? Yeah no. Try Luke Shaw. I freaking love this guy. The 23-year-old left back has thrust himself back into the spotlight with his exquisite play. Shaw's story is so awesome. A player with tremendous potential, Shaw was plagued with injuries including a broken leg with kept him sidelined for about a year. Now healthy, he took the 2018-2019 season by storm and he was easily the best defender on Manchester United but that isn't saying a lot. Shaw, when he was on, was the best left-back in the league and it wasn't even close. Although he isn't as good as an attacking full-backing as Robertson, he was the best all-around left-back in the league this season and his future is bright. I've hinted at this before but I think he could become a regular in England's starting XI.

RB- This one is a no brainer. Trent Alexander-Arnold is emerging as one of the best right backs in all of Europe. Alexander-Arnold led all defenders with 12 premier league assists and he placed third overall in the league for assists (premierleague.com). I can't get over the fact that this kid is 20 years old. He joined Liverpool's academy when he was six-years-old and now, he's a first-team starter who's just won the Champions-League. Like Luke Shaw, Trent's future is quite bright, and he could be a huge part of a young and talented England squad.

CDM- Idrissa Gueye was easily one of the best defensive midfielders in the league this season. He ranked second in the league in tackles with 142 (premierleague.com) and he was a regular in Everton's starting XI. Gueye otherwise known as "Gana" got little recognition this season but his services were vital for a young Everton side that caught stride late into the season. I have high hopes for Gueye next year at Everton but he's been linked to big clubs such as PSG. Regardless of where he is next season, he really impressed me this year and he was easily one of the leagues best holding midfielders.

CDM- If I was a manager I'd play a 4-2-3-1 so I'd have two holding midfielders. The other defensive midfielder would be Moussa Sissoko. The Frenchman was on the fringes of the Tottenham squad until injuries claimed the likes of Harry Winks and Eric Dier. Sissoko came in and shined. Sissoko was an essential part of Tottenham's champions league run and he cemented himself into the squad as someone that is a regular in the starting XI. Although his handball proved fatal for Tottenham in the Champions League Final, Sissoko's resurgence has been awesome to watch and I'm really happy for him. I'm excited to see what is in store for him next season.

CAM- Favorite attacking midfielder this season? Ruben Loftus-Cheek. I feel like few Chelsea players go out on loan and come back and have significant contributions on the first team. Loftus- Cheek has broken that mold and has surged into the spotlight. Now, after a great year at Chelsea, Loftus-Cheek could very well be the first-choice attacking midfielder next year at Stamford Bridge.

Winger- I don't think I can pick anyone besides Eden Hazard. The Belgian superstar is most likely going to join Real Madrid this summer and as Chelsea fan that hurts. It didn't even seem like Hazard had a crazy season but he finished with 16 goals and 15 assists in the premier league (premierleague.com). Hazard led the league in assists and he scored two goals in Chelsea's 4-1 win over Arsenal in the Europa League Final. I wanted to pick someone a little more under the radar but Hazard got me into soccer and I felt it was only right to pick him considering he could've played his last game in a Chelsea shirt this past Wednesday.

Winger- Few players were easier to get behind that Son Heung-min this season. Just when everyone counted the Spurs out this season due to mounting injuries, Son stepped up and lead the team. Son finished the season as one of Tottenham's most important pieces and he's only 26. His best football is in front of him. For me, outside of Eden Hazard and Paul Pogba, Son was my favorite player this season. It's always awesome to see someone come from a country that doesn't churn out an abundance of premier talent shine on the world's biggest stage.

Striker- Sergio Aguero? Yeah, no thanks. Raul Jiminez was my favorite striker this year. Jiminez was on-loan at Wolverhampton Wanderers this season and he netted 13 league goals (premierleague.com). The Mexican international played a pivotal part in Wolves finishing in 7th place and he is being brought back for a club record 30 million pounds (TheGuardian.com). Jiminez was on-loan from Benefica and his arrival from the Porguese powerhouse was vital for Wolves as they went from a league below the Premier League to 7th place in the Premier League in a single season. Because of this, Jiminez was my favorite striker.