This is excluding Ronaldo and Messi as for the last 15 seasons they have deserved a place in this team.
Goalkeeper: Thomas Strakosha
At the time of writing, Strakosha has conceded 23 goals from an xG of 31.45. This has kept Lazio in the title race as they’re only a point off leaders Juventus despite Lazio’s metrics being a long way off Juventus, Atalanta and Inter Milan. The Albanian’s performances have given Inzaghi’s side the best defence in Serie A ahead of a very defensive Inter Milan and possession heavy Juventus.
The Rome based club have only lost two of their 26 matches. This is largely down to an excellent goalkeeper and Immobile’s ridiculous goalscoring. If Lazio lift their first Scudetto since 2000, it will mainly be because of the man in between the sticks.
Right back: Trent Alexander-Arnold
This position isn’t even up for contention. Two goals and 13 assists this season, it’s hard to forget he is only 21. The Englishmen has made this position his own, a bit shaky defensively but at his age it is understandable. His creativity and set piece deliveries gives Liverpool a different dynamic in attack and is almost impossible to mark out of the game. There is no debate over this selection.
Centre back: Dayot Upamecano
The 21-year-old is Nagelsmann’s go to man in defence. According to xG, the East German club have the best defence in the league and the Frenchman has been a huge part of it as he has played 79% of the available league minutes this campaign.
3.8 tackles and interceptions with a tackle success rate of 71% is just elite especially in such an attacking and possession-based side. Despite not being fully physically developed, he wins 66% of his aerial duels whilst also completing over 70 passes a game, an awful lot for a young defender. Dayot has a huge future in football and is the perfect example of a modern-day centre back.
Centre back: David Alaba
Despite playing out of position and playing alongside a winger that’s been converted to a left back, Alaba has been sensational. He mentors Davies and has been an integral part of Hansi Flick’s revolution at Bayern. The Austrian leads the league for progressive passes with over 10 passes into the final third per 90.
He may be starting a lot of the attacks, but he also can dictate the tempo of the whole game. Because of his time at left back over the last decade he can cover for Davies when he’s been caught up the pitch, he can move the side forward without them suffering defensively and has even been able to overlap Davies. The wide range of everything he does as well as him having played in nearly outfield position means he knows what every player needs to do. He is certainly ready to be Bayern’s next captain.
Left back: Andrew Robertson
An all-round left back and one that has been part of a winning machine. The only criticism that could be levelled at the Scot is maybe that he gets away with red cards challenges more often than others but that could be down to biased of club from referees. Andrew adds a lot to Liverpool especially for a left back and when he isn’t playing, its clear that the red miss him.
If Alphonso Davies or Jordi Alba to a midtable club, they would struggle defensively and offensively due to not being in a dominant side. Marcelo, who has been the obvious choice for more than the last 10 years, is slowing down but still been better than anyone bar Robertson. The former Hull man has to be given a huge amount of credit for his contributions to Klopp’s side and it looks like he will pick up a well-deserved Premier League title.
Central midfielder/Defensive Midfielder: Joshua Kimmich
Kimmich has returned to midfield after a few years as a right back and the transition has been seamless. The former Leipzig man has protected Bayern’s defensive which this year has been especially difficult due to Flick’s aggressive tactics. He may only make 2.5 tackles and interceptions a game but that is due to Bayern dominating possession.
Kimmich has shown his importance in possession by averaging 81.5 passes per 90 with an accuracy of 90%. The German has become indispensable during Bayern’s revival and has even chipped in with 11 goal involvements in this seasons Bundesliga. A consistent performer and a man for the big occasions, Kimmich is a must for this side.
Central Midfielder/Attacking Midfielder: Kevin de Bruyne
The Belgian has had another stella performance under Pep Guardiola. Kevin is averaging 0.61xA per 90 in the Premier League, a figure not topped by anyone that has played more than 40 minutes. He has been the player the Citizens have turned to for some magic to win a game which is a position for the elite under Guardiola, a position previously held by Messi at Barcelona and Lewandowski at Bayern.
He is creating 4 chances per 90 with only 0.6 coming from set pieces. The former Wolfsburg star isn’t just a creator, he defends and will progress the ball and even break the press with a single pass. No more words need to be said, he is truly one of the best.
Central Midfielder/Attacking Midfielder: Thomas Müller
Yet another player that Flick has revitalised since his appointment. Müller has a shout as the best player in the Bundesliga after this season. He averages 0.36xG and 0.63xA per 90 which are truly obscene, this means he is expected to have a direct involvement in a goal every game. Out of players to have played more than 150 league minutes, the German is top for xA per 90 in the Bundesliga.
He beats out Serge Gnabry who despite playing a similar number of minutes and averages 0.60xG and 0.54xA per 90 it is Müller who is the team’s sole creator and his ability to find space is almost unrivalled. Going from a player who was seen as worthless to a main cog in one of the best sides in Europe in a matter of months shouldn’t go under the radar. Thomas Müller deserves all of his praise.
Winger: Jadon Sancho
17 goals and 16 assists in 28 league appearances. No more really has to be said. Only five players have reached 16 or more assists in a single campaign in the Premier League which has been traditionally stronger than the Bundesliga. This highlights his immense creativity along with his eye for goal.
He has one of the best dribble success rates in Europe’s top 5 leagues which not only shows his ability but also maturity and decision making whilst only being 20. The links to the world’s biggest and best clubs aren’t undeserved.
Striker: Robert Lewandowski
The Polish talisman averages 1.00xG and 0.25xA per 90, this puts him as one of the best players in the world. Flick can’t take the credit for this as over the last three seasons he’s averaged more than 1xG per 90. He has also stepped up against the elite. In six Champions League appearances he’s scored 11 and assisted two. He just has to be in this team.
Winger: Kylian Mbappé
Mbappé has had another season any players would be proud of. With 23 goals and nine assists in 1962 league and Champions League this season which means he’s averaging a direct goal involvements every 61 minutes. These numbers are difficult to comprehend especially as he is only 21. Kylian’s glass ceiling doesn’t seem to exist as he just keeps getting better and no one knows how good he can get.
The Frenchman is also an excellent dribbler who knows how to create space for other or attack space. For such a young player he is surprisingly versatile having played all across the front three. No one can begrudge him a place in this side and according to xG, he should have 10 league assists rather than five meaning his numbers could be even better. Mbappé is just phenomenal.
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