2022-23 Premier League Team of the Season ft. Haaland, Ramsdale, Trippier, and Rashford
The 2022-23 Premier League season is on the verge of finding its conclusion with Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City winning the title. As a result, it’s time to look at a few performers who impressed the fans, critics, and experts the most.
On the same note, come with us as we take a look at the 2022-23 Premier League Team of the Season.
Goalkeeper
Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal)
Aaron Ramsdale took the matter into his own hands to make his side win. One of his best performances came at White Hart Lane, where he denied all the challenges by Harry Kane and Co. to keep a clean sheet in a much-required match. After he played great at Anfield, Mikel Arteta also heaped praise on the 24-year-old by calling him fearless following his 13 clean sheets.
Defenders
Kieran Trippier (Newcastle United), William Saliba (Arsenal), Sven Botman (Newcastle United), and Luke Shaw (Manchester United)
Kieran Trippier has been in stellar form since arriving at St James’s Park in 2021/22. The former Atletico Madrid full-back has slowly evolved into one of the most experienced right-backs in the Premier League. Thus, it’s fair to say that the 32-year-old has been a blessing in disguise for Eddie Howe’s Newcastle.
Arsenal started their league campaign on a high note and managed to stay at the top of the league for an astounding around 250 days. With the help of a collective team effort in attack as well as defense, it seemed like Mikel Arteta will finally end the Gunners’ Premier League drought but unfortunately, nothing like that happened as Manchester City managed to close in the distance to secure another title with four games in hand.
Hence, one star from the Gunners that stood out was 22-year-old William Saliba. He was extremely comfortable with Gabriel Magalhães, Ben White, and Aaron Ramsdale in the backline, and his performance is expected to improve in the coming seasons.
No one expected Sven Botman to arrive at the biggest football league in the world in such a dominant fashion. After two praiseworthy seasons with Lille, the Dutch defender signed with Newcastle United, even after being linked with much bigger clubs. The young French defender was surely the pivotal reason behind Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United securing a UEFA Champions League spot in 20 years.
Playing alongside Fabian Schar, Botman missed only two games for his side, which resulted in a draw and a loss. Thus, it shows how important Sven Botman was for Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United in the 2022-23 PL season.
Luke Shaw stood out in the line-up of Manchester United which was hanging between labelling the season as a success or a failure. The Englishman has been performing well for United for the last couple of years, however, his performance never really got noticed, until this year. Shaw displayed his importance as a defender in the backline and cemented a regular spot for him in the playing XI.
Midfielders
Casemiro (Manchester United), Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City) and Martin Odegaard (Arsenal)
A lot of questions were raised about Casemiro‘s choice after he joined Manchester United but following the Brazilian’s performance this season, no one remembers that United wanted someone in the mould of Frenkie de Jong at the start of the transfer window.
Casemiro was brilliant for Erik ten Hag’s side this season. His role in the midline proved pivotal as he worked as a shield for defense as well as a merciless attacker. The Brazilian was also filling up the gaps left in United’s line-up with his experience. He would have been more prolific if suspensions were not a thing.
Martin Odegaard captained Arsenal toward their first unlikely title hunt in years
Choosing only three midfielders in the list was a difficult task as a lot of players performed exceptionally in this year’s Premier League. Amid all the hassle going on at the Emirates Stadium, Martin Odegaard was named the captain of the Gunners and he did a great job.
Mikel Arteta’s chosen one was surely the most impactful player from the whole side. The 24-year-old’s shoulders were already filled by the responsibilities of being a skipper but he didn’t let his creative flair sink either. Strong with the ball, Odegaard had 23 goal contributions for Arsenal in the season of the Premier League.
Since joining Manchester City, Kevin de Bruyne has cemented a permanent spot for him in the PL team of the season. He’s always in form and the Belgian is one of the biggest assets Pep Guardiola acquires currently.
However, the Spaniard benched him for a few matches from January to March following some difference in opinion but de Bruyne’s performance levels didn’t drop throughout the season.
Forwards
Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Erling Haaland (Manchester City), and Marcus Rashford (Manchester United)
No other player in the Premier League has evolved more than Bukayo Saka over the last two years. Initially playing as a playmaker, Saka has evolved into a lethal winger, who can tear defensive units apart. Solid defenders tried getting the better of him on numerous occasions, however, Saka was unshakeable at every single juncture. Being creative as well as decisive, Saka was one of the most valuable players of the season.
Erling Haaland‘s debut campaign will always be remembered in the history books of the Premier League. Record after record, the Norwegian was in dreamland for the whole season. He surpassed Mohamed Salah’s record of 32 goals in a 38-game season and also relinquished Andy Cole and Alan Shearer’s joint record for most goals in a 42-game Premier League season.
Since Haaland joined forces with the Spainard, the team has gone off on a whole new level. With the help of assists from the likes of Kevin de Bruyne, İlkay Gündoğan, Bernardo Silva, and Jack Grealish, the Norwegian was nearly unstoppable. Thus, with 36 goals in 35 matches in the Premier League, Haaland has increased lot of expectations of the fans for the next season.
Marcus Rashford gained his long-lost form to help Manchester United find a UCL Spot
After being stripped of places in the English National side as well as Manchester United playing XI, Marcus Rashford has finally made his much-awaited return under Erik ten Hag. Since his arrival, the Dutch coach trusted the 25-year-old and the gamble played out to be in his favor.
Fortunately, Rashford delivered all the time, last season, whenever he was required. Scoring 16 goals in the Premier League in addition to five assists seemed like a far cry for the Englishman. However, his return in the form helped Erik ten Hag get a reliable player in the attacking front.
Bench
David De Gea (Manchester United), Ben White (Arsenal), John Stones (Manchester City), Oleksandr Zinchenko (Arsenal), Rodri (Manchester City), Joelinton (Newcastle United), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur)
Apart from the starting XI, a few other players were also terrific this season. David de Gea will be just probably winning the Golden Glove following his brilliant goalkeeper throughout the season, except few matches.
Ben White evolved beautifully according to Arsenal’s need in the backline to perform at the top of his game. Another name that worked wonders with him was Oleksandr Zinchenko. The Ukrainian has portrayed that all he required was minutes and understanding teammates to show what he had got.
John Stones with Ruben Diaz played pivotal roles behind Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City leaking very less goals. Moreover, the Englishman’s work rate was high throughout the season. The defensive midfielder, Rodri was the cherry on the top for City in defense.
Jeolinton was in the Premier League for numerous years, but the Brazilian has finally been called back into life this year. He has finally been awarded the key of the physical play he’s good with for the first time since his debut.
Jack Grealish is another player on the list who got a rebirth in the recent season. After constantly failing to perform, the £100m man had an outstanding campaign with City last season.
Arsenal fans love Gabriel Martinelli. He’s finally living up to all the hype that was made around his name over the past years. Thus, teaming up with Saka, they can help Arsenal realistically win a Premier League title.
Harry Kane was in top form in the 2022-23 PL season and it was another year of him breaking records for the Lilywhites but the Spurs had one of their most miserable seasons.
The Englishman also became the second-highest goalscorer in the history of the Premier League just behind Alan Shearer playing for Tottenham Hotspur earlier this season.