Picking a Premier League Team of the Season After a Quarter of the Campaign
by Sam Cox
With nine gameweeks behind us, it’s a good time to reflect on what we’ve seen so far this season.
It’s been an enthralling start to the Premier League campaign, with the defending champions faltering, impressive performances from promoted sides, and multiple managerial changes.
Setting up in a 4-2-3-1, here’s our Premier League Team of the Season after a quarter of the campaign:
Robin Roefs
Dean Henderson is the league leader in Post-Shot xG minus Goals Allowed ahead of Robin Roefs and Guglielmo Vicario. Roefs, though, is only just behind Henderson and has been called on a lot more often with 31 saves to Henderson’s 20.
Roefs notably has one more clean sheet and two fewer goals conceded, too.
Reece James
Since being eased into the season with substitute appearances on matchdays two, three, and four, Reece James has put together five excellent performances, including a goal and assist in Chelsea’s win over Nottingham Forest.
James has shut down opposing wingers, played decisive passes in the final third, and taken control of the midfield when used in an inverted role.
Nordi Mukiele
Nordi Mukiele has been an integral part of a solid Sunderland defense.
Primarily used at center-back, Mukiele has defended on the front foot, racking up tackles and interceptions at a high rate for a player in his position.
Gabriel Magalhães
Only 12 players have recorded more clearances than Gabriel Magalhães, which is particularly impressive when you consider how much possession Arsenal have. His six clearances per game are far more than any of his teammates.
Arsenal have conceded three goals all season. Gabriel’s partnership with William Saliba is a key reason why.
Riccardo Calafiori
Not only the left-back in the league’s best defense, Riccardo Calafiori is a key outlet down the left flank for Arsenal.
He consistently drives the ball forward, as illustrated by his high number of progressive carries, and records plenty of progressive passes.
Granit Xhaka
Already with three assists to his name, Granit Xhaka has been everything Sunderland hoped for in the middle of the park. The former Arsenal man has 3.1 tackles and interceptions per game and has had multiple ball recoveries in each league match.
His experience has helped the Black Cats surge in the first quarter of the season.
Moises Caicedo
Moises Caicedo leads all Premier League players in forcing turnovers. Over the last 18 months, he has also improved markedly on the ball – he’s 17th in total progressive passes and only nine players have made more passes into the final third.
The former Brighton man has been the best midfielder in the Premier League so far this season.
Jérémy Doku
Second in expected assists and fourth in completed dribbles per match, Jérémy Doku spends most of his time on the left flank, but we had to find a place for him in this team so he’s slotting in on the right.
Doku has added end product to his eye-catching natural talent. He’s created shots with take-ons on seven occasions (more than any other player).
Jack Grealish
Like Doku, Jack Grealish operates from the left flank most of the time. He’s capable of playing at the 10, though, so that’s where he’s going to fit into this team after recording five goal contributions in the opening nine weeks of the season for Everton.
Grealish is third in total expected assists and second in key passes per match. He’s fouled 3.5 times per match (only one other player is above 2.4).
Antoine Semenyo
Sixth in dribbles per game and with the second-most goal contributions, Antoine Semenyo was a lock for this XI. Semenyo is joint-second in take-ons leading to a shot attempt.
No winger has more progressive passes than the Bournemouth star. Semenyo has also had multiple progressive carries in eight out of nine matches.
Erling Haaland
Who else? Erling Haaland’s 11 Premier League goals are five more than anyone else. He’s far clear of every other striker in expected goals; his 4.1 shots per match is a distance ahead of Jean-Philippe Mateta in second place.
The Norwegian has braces against Wolves, Manchester United, Burnley, and Everton.
