Premier League team of the year: 2023
- Man City players dominate as players from five clubs feature in the team of the year
- Goal machine Erling Haaland and midfield star Rodri among those included
- Liverpool represented by two world-class Anfield favourites
2023 proved to be a record-breaking year for Premier League players.
Erling Haaland managed to break the single-season Premier League goalscoring record, Harry Kane managed to score in the most number of games during a single season, and Tottenham and Sheffield United players managed to break the record for most yellow cards in a single game.
And after all those records came tumbling down in 2023, we at 90min have decided to pick out Premier League team of the year.
GK: Alisson Becker (Liverpool)
Dubbed the "Pele of goalkeepers", and in 2023 it was very easy to see why.
Alisson Becker was undoubtedly Liverpool's most consistent performer throughout the year, saving the Reds time and time again.
He's a big reason why Liverpool are back to being genuine title contenders heading into 2024.
RB: Kyle Walker (Man City)
The best right-back in Premier League history? Definitely.
Kyle Walker has been exceptional throughout his 15 year career in England's top flight, but 2023 was perhaps his very best year to date.
Another Premier League winners' medal was added to his substantial collection, as was a second FA Cup medal and a first UEFA Champions League medal.
Put simply, Man City do not win the treble without Walker in their team.
CB: William Saliba (Arsenal)
In alternate reality, William Saliba stays fit and Arsenal win the 2022/23 Premier League title.
That's how good Saliba is.
Unfortunately for Arsenal, Saliba did suffer a season-ending and title hopes-ending back injury at the tail end of the 2022/23 campaign, but he's now back fully fit and back to being the very best centre-back in the world in 2023/24.
CB: Fabian Schar (Newcastle United)
Honestly was quite difficult to find another centre-back worthy of being in a Premier League team of the year for 2023.
In the end, we opted to give Newcastle United's Fabian Schar the nod thanks to his sheer consistency of performances over the last 12 months.
The defender has been a near ever-present feature of Newcastle's watertight backline, rarely putting a foot wrong when called into action.
LB: Nathan Ake (Man City)
The Premier League's best piano player is also a pretty damn good footballer too.
Nathan Ake became a surprisingly crucial player for Pep Guardiola in recent times, and that has been largely thanks to how well he's played when given a chance to start.
As a centre-back or left-back, the Netherlands international has chipped in with vital contributions for the treble winners throughout 2023.
CM: Martin Odegaard (Arsenal)
With 19 Premier League goal contributions to his name, it's fair to say that Martin Odegaard has been one of the best midfielders around in 2023.
The Arsenal captain has been at the heart of most good things Mikel Arteta's side have done in recent times, and he'll be aiming to get his hands on the Premier League trophy for the first time in 2024.
CM: Rodri (Man City)
Man City's most important player.
Rodri was City's game-breaker on their route to immortality in 2023, with the midfielder providing both a solid base in the middle of the park and offensive prowess when going forward too.
He did everything in 2023. Absolutely everything.
CM: Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa)
Due to the fact that he hasn't played a single game so far this season, we're sure you can understand why Kevin De Bruyne hasn't made this team.
In his absence, we felt it was apt to tip of the cap to Aston Villa by including their best performing player under Unai Emery: Douglas Luiz.
The Brazilian has taken his game to a new level under Emery, becoming a reliable player both on and off the ball for the Spanish manager.
RW: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Any talk that Mohamed Salah was "washed" was firmly silenced in 2023.
After what was considered a down year by his standards, Salah has bounced back to cement his legacy as one of the Premier League's greatest ever players, and once again make Liverpool title challengers.
His 40 goal contributions (20 goals and 20 assists), one of which being his 200th strike for Liverpool, in the last 12 months is simply not normal.
ST: Erling Haaland (Man City)
Speaking of 'not normal' number: here's Erling Haaland.
The man who broke the single-season Premier League goalscoring record in his first ever campaign in England has continued to find the back of the net with outrageous regularity this season too - netting 14 in 15 games.
He simply can't be stopped.
LW: Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
Arsenal's 'Starboy' has gone from promising young star to arguably the most efficient wide player in the Premier League over the last 12 months.
With 12 goals and 10 assists to his name, Saka has provided Arsenal with genuine cutting edge.
READ THE LATEST FEATURES AND ANALYSIS FROM 90MIN
feed