Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher have revealed their respective Premier League teams of the year, with Arsenal and Man City players dominating both squads, but their was no space for Erling Haaland in the Liverpool icon’s side.
The Premier League will bring another season to a dramatic close on Sunday with City and Arsenal taking the title race to the final day of the season, with the final relegation spot also still not secured.
The iconic Sky Sports duo previously gave their top picks for the campaign last summer and have now revealed their picks for their best Premier League XI of the season.
Former Man United star, Neville, and Liverpool legend, Carragher, put together two teams that bring together their opinion on the best players throughout the year, with no United stars included in either squad.
However, both decided on six players that make both of their teams, with a selection of Arsenal and City stars making the cut alongside one Chelsea player.
Gary Neville (right) and Jamie Carragher (left) have revealed their respective Premier League teams of the year
Seven players from Arsenal, Man City and Chelsea were included by both in their teams
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice was a prominent feature in both of the dream teams
Man City midfielder Rodri was amongst seven players to be included in both teams
Arsenal defender William Saliba and Gabriel make up the heart of both Carragher and Neville’s defences after starring by conceding the least amount of goals in the Premier League.
Meanwhile, Gunners captain Martin Odegaard partners team-mate Declan Rice and Man City’s holding midfielder Rodri in midfield.
Chelsea’s Cole Palmer – who has enjoyed a breakthrough debut campaign at Stamford Bridge – and City’s Phil Foden were the only attackers to feature in both squads.
Neville was first to reveal his full XI and set his dream team up in a 4-3-3 formation.
NEVILLE’S TOTY: GK: Emi Martinez (Aston Villa), RB: Ben White (Arsenal), CB: WIlliam Saliba (Arsenal), CB: Gabriel Arsenal), LB: Destiny Udogie (Spurs), CM: Martin Odegaard Arsenal), CM: Rodri (Man City), CM: Declan Rice (Arsenal), RM: Cole Palmer (Chelsea), LM: Phil Foden (Man City), ST: Erling Haaland (Man City).
Meanwhile, Carragher preferred a 3-2-4-1 formation and opted to pick Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford between the sticks, despite Arsenal’s David Raya winning the Premier League’s ‘golden glove’ award.
The 46-year-old also criticised Erling Haaland’s contribution to Man City’s campaign as ‘disappointing’, despite the Norwegian leading the Premier League’s golden boot race with 25 goals in 29 games and instead opted for Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins upfront.
CARRAGHER’S TOTY: GK: Jordan Pickford, CB: Virgil van Dijk, CB: WIlliam Saliba (Arsenal), CB: Gabriel (Arsenal), CM: Rodri (Man City), CM: Declan Rice Arsenal), RM: Cole Palmer, CAM: Kevin de Bruyne (Man City), LM: Phil Foden (Man City), ST: Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa).
Explaining his decision not to include Haaland, Carragher claimed that the Norwegian has been ‘disappointing’ in the biggest games across the Premier League and Champions League.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Carragher explained: ‘Well, the reason I would go for Ollie Watkins, I think his numbers, there’s not much difference in the numbers when you put the goals and assists together. He’s playing for Aston Villa. He’s playing for Manchester City.
‘And actually, when I think of Erling Haaland this season, listen, we know he’s the best striker, you know, we get that. But this season, I actually think in the biggest the games, I’ve been slightly disappointed with Haaland.
‘Maybe even sort of the Champions League against Real Madrid, the games against Arsenal, Liverpool as well, when he’s come up against the real elite defenders. I think the elite defenders have got the better of them,’ he added.
More to follow.
