The UEFA Team of the Year nominations were revealed yesterday, and the list includes the best players in the world in their positions. With the complete list out in the open, we decided to have a crack at the final XI, with seven players making the bench.
The formation we have selected would ideally be an attack-minded 4-3-3. Here are the entries in our predicted XI:
Goalkeeper: Manuel Neuer
The Germany number 1 had a brilliant 2020, which saw him start the remainder of the 19/20 season and end it with no losses in any competition. Captaining the team to a treble, Neuer takes his rightful place between the sticks for this year’s XI.
Right-Back: Trent Alexander-Arnold
The young English right-back is the best in the world in his position right now, and a title-winning campaign with Liverpool, bolstered with the highest number of assists for a defender makes Trent an undisputed entry.
Centre-Back: Virgil Van Dijk
The Dutch defender was vital in Jurgen Klopp’s title-winning 19/20 season and is still heralded as the best centre-back in the world. It is only fitting that the Liverpool talisman takes a spot in the starting lineup for the Team of the Year.
Centre-Back: Sergio Ramos
The fact that even at 34, Sergio Ramos is the most indispensable player in Real Madrid’s squad says a lot about his calibre not only as a defender but also a leader. Ramos’ Madrid conceded the least number of goals in La Liga last season, and the fact that he has 100 goals for Madrid seals the Spain captain’s position in another TOTY.
Left-Back: Andrew Robertson
The Scotland Captain had an incredible season on the left flank of the defense as he managed to provide 12 assists in the Premier League last season as Liverpool won the title. He also led Scotland to the EUROs for the first time ever and fully deserves his spot in left-back ahead of all the competitors.
Central Midfield: Kevin de Bruyne
The Belgian was the PFA Player of the Year for the 19/20 season following an incredible performance throughout the campaign gone by. The numbers speak for themselves for De Bruyne as the Belgian dominated things from the heart of midfield.
Central Midfield: Jordan Henderson
The Liverpool captain was indispensable and was voted the Player of the Year by the Football Writer’s Association. His importance in holding midfield was vital for Liverpool, ironically, most felt his absence during the Champions League exit against Atletico.
Attacking Midfield: Thomas Muller
The German enjoyed a reviving spell under Hansi Flick in his treble-winning debut campaign, managing Bayern Munich. Muller managed to score 14 goals and assist 26 from 50 matches across all competitions, making him the ideal choice for the attacking midfielder role in the XI.
Forward: Lionel Messi
31 goals and 22 assists from 44 games across all competitions, La Pulga had another marvellous season in the 19/20 campaign but has since struggled to follow it up this season. However, it is worth noting that his role has changed under Koeman, but he is still one of the best.
Forward: Ciro Immobile
The Italian managed to score his way to the European Golden Boot in the 19/20 campaign, whilst also leading Lazio to a return to the Champions League for the first time in a decade. Immobile also spearheaded a charge for the Scudetto for the Biancocelesti, but ultimately fell short.
Forward: Robert Lewandowski
The top scorer in every competition that he has played, LewanGOALski had a surefire Ballon d’Or calibre season, but the award was cancelled to rob the goal machine of the award. With 55 goals and 10 assists from 47 games, Lewandowski caps off our XI players of the Team of the Year.
Bench:
- Thibaut Courtois
- Cristiano Ronaldo
- Erling Haaland
- Dayot Upamecano
- Thiago Alcantara
- Sadio Mane
- Joshua Kimmich
