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Ian DarkESPN.com writer
After a final day of maximum drama, the glittering trophies in the Premier League were decided: champions Manchester City for the fourth time in five years, thwarting Liverpool in a final, Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League, and Sir Leeds United for another season on the best flight.
But what about individual awards? And what about those who might prefer to forget the season? Everyone will have their own thoughts on the real movers and shakers, so without further ado, here are this observer’s best and worst teams in 2021-22.
– O’Hanlon, Connelly: 2021-22 Premier League Awards (E+)
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Best eleven of the season
A goal keeper
David de Gea (Manchester United): A potentially controversial option against allegations from Liverpool’s Alisson and Manchester City’s Ederson, but De Gea has worked wonders amid the train wreckage of United’s season. He made some amazing saves and without him, United wouldn’t even have qualified for the Europa League.
In standby mode: Alisson (Liverpool), Ederson (Manchester City)
defenders
Trent Alexander Arnold (Liverpool): There are still some doubts about his defence, but this is a classic case to assess what he is Could you He doesn’t do what he can’t. This is a full-back whose ability to choose passes, crosses and set goals stands out as a unique talent. England needs to find a way to use it.
Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool): Brilliant, he seems to do everything without ever getting out of second gear. This is because he reads the game very proficiently, putting out the flames before they even break out. There is no easy task in a defense that plays with both fullbacks pushed up to the point that there are additional demands on the central defenders.
Antonio Rudiger (Chelsea): Ruthless and relentless, he will be sorely missed when he leaves Stamford Bridge to join Real Madrid this summer. He appears to be wearing a sign that reads “You won’t overtake me” and few do. It is very difficult to replace.
Joao Cancelo (Manchester City): A defender with ball-playing skills and a No. 10, he was sensational at times in City winning the title. He prefers to use the right-back, but is equally adept at the left-back which is a bit problematic for his team.
In standby mode: Mark Cucurella (Brighton) Christian Romero (Tottenham Hotspur)
mediators
Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City): He would certainly be in almost any Premier League squad, and his superb pass summed it up for the title-winning goal against Aston Villa. He has the ability to see, timing and weight of the pass like few other players, and this season he has added more goals to his collection.
Declan rice (West Ham United): The Hammers’ Premier League torchbearer was the reason they reached the Europa League semi-finals and finished seventh in the Premier League, which is good enough to secure a place in the Europa League. Super consistent and emerged as a clear leader. West Ham plays hardball with potential suitors.
Christian Eriksen (Brentford): Story of the Season. Eight months after we feared for his life when he collapsed on the pitch at Euros, the Dane is back to change Brentford just as they had begun to suffer. With him in the starting lineup, the Bees won seven out of 10 matches. It would be nice to think that he restored their faith in him by staying at the club.
In standby mode: Yves Bisoma (Brighton), James Maddison (Leicester City), Christian Norgaard (Brentford), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City), Martin Odegaard (Arsenal), Thiago (Liverpool), James Ward-Prowse (Southampton)
attackers
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool): A dangerous man. Even if his form slipped a bit, this was still a great season for Al Masry as he finished the season as the top scorer in the league and led the passing table as well. He rings alarm bells every time he gets the ball.
Harry King (Tottenham): He started the season with a bit of a slump as his coveted move to Manchester City faltered, but then he showed he can not only score goals but go deep into his preparation as well. Tottenham’s qualification for the Champions League likely means that they will stay as long as coach Antonio Conte stays as well.
Son Heung Min (Tottenham): He and Kane are now officially considered the best strike partnership in Premier League history. Filled with clever runs and professional finishing touches, he shares the Golden Boot with Salah this season and plays with a smile on his face.
In standby mode: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United), Luis Diaz (Liverpool), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Diogo Jota (Liverpool), Dejan Kulusevsky (Tottenham), Sadio Mane (Liverpool), Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United), Ivan Toni (Brentford) ). ); Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace)
Worst eleven this season
A goal keeper
Kepa Arizabalaga (Chelsea): The world’s most expensive goalkeeper was a distant second after Edward Mendy at Stamford Bridge. Then when he was brought on as a ‘penalty kick-out specialist’ substitute in the Carabao Cup final, he failed to save once and then missed his own penalty as Liverpool won 11-10 with a pen.
defenders
Aaron Wan-Bissaka (Manchester United): The £50m right-back lost his way and his place against Diogo Dalot in United’s disastrous season.
Harry Maguire (Manchester United): He has often been excellent with England, he has looked like a shadow of himself for United. He booed cruel and foul at Wembley, expecting him to bounce back. The disappointment of losing the Euro 2020 final and United’s struggles undoubtedly damaged his confidence.
Raphael Varane (Manchester United): The arrival of one of the most capped players of the match today was universally acclaimed as a coup, but his first season at Old Trafford ended with him spending too much time injured and the club conceding more goals than relegation. Burnley.
Junior Firbo (Leeds United): Signed from Barcelona, but failed to make many friends among the followers of Island Way. Part of the second strongest defense in the Premier League, which lost 79 goals.
mediators
Paul Pogba (Manchester United): Almost the ‘invisible man’ at Old Trafford and it looks like he’s on his way out. The obvious talents he repeatedly shows with the France national team is rarely seen in a United shirt. Most infected.
N’Golo Kanti (Chelsea): A key player at Stamford Bridge and still a standout player, but a string of injuries has seen him only start games in a frustrating season. His frequent absences have been a big reason why Chelsea lost their momentum, Thomas Tuchel admitted last week.
Bruno Fernandez (Manchester United): He seemed to be denied access to Cristiano Ronaldo and he never appeared with the same player who starred in goals and assists last season. Frustrating character pieces. Getting the tone out of it is an essential task for the new president, Erik Ten Hag.
attackers
Marcus Rashford (Manchester United): We do not apologize for the “disappointments” so many United players on this team have. He was often left out, seemed bereft of confidence and faith. Body language spoke volumes. He needs a manager who believes in him again.
Romelu Lukaku (Chelsea): After a stellar title-winning season at Inter Milan, he was seen as the last £97.5m piece of the Chelsea jigsaw. But he looked out of place and a match at Crystal Palace when he only had seven touches instead summed up a vaguely poor campaign.
Alexandre Lacazette (Arsenal): A sad final chapter of his Arsenal career. He scored only one Premier League goal in open play and lost his place to Eduard Nketia.
