Premier League 2024-25 Team of the Season

With the 2024–25 Premier League season wrapped up, it’s time to reflect on a dramatic campaign by unveiling our Premier League Team of the Season.

Liverpool lifted their second Premier League trophy and claimed a record-equalling 20th top-flight title, all in Arne Slot’s debut season at the helm. Arsenal once again fell just short, finishing runners-up ahead of Manchester City, while Newcastle United and Chelsea secured Champions League qualification.

After reviewing the performances across the entire season, we’ve selected 11 standout players who consistently outshone their peers in their respective positions.

Premier League 2024-25 Team of the Season (4-4-2)

Goalkeeper – Matz Sels (Nottingham Forest)

In an era dominated by ball-playing goalkeepers, Matz Sels’ inclusion might seem like a throwback to a more traditional approach.

He’s not the type to demand the ball at his feet, nor is he part of a side fixated on building from the back. So, if you’re looking for impressive passing stats, this isn’t the place.

What Sels offers instead is classic goalkeeping — and he’s excelled at it. No Premier League goalkeeper kept more clean sheets this season than the Nottingham Forest No. 1, who finished with 13 shutouts, tied with David Raya.

Clean sheets aren’t everything, of course, and much depends on the team’s defensive setup. But in Forest’s case, those numbers do reflect Sels’ consistent influence.

Only Mark Flekken (145), Aaron Ramsdale (125), and Jordan Pickford (122) made more saves than the Belgian (120), while his save percentage of 72.6% ranks fourth in the league — a testament to his reliability.

Crucially, he also prevented 4.3 more goals than the average keeper would be expected to, based on the quality of shots faced (via Opta’s xGOT model), placing him fourth in that metric too.

All things considered, it’s been an outstanding campaign for Sels, who played a pivotal role in helping Nottingham Forest defy expectations and secure a seventh-place finish.

Right-Back – Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s final outing in a Liverpool shirt — came in their 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace at Anfield. With a move to Real Madrid now confirmed, the Reds face the daunting task of replacing a player who has redefined the right-back role, potentially with Jeremie Frimpong or Conor Bradley as successors.

A product of the Liverpool academy, Alexander-Arnold has left a lasting legacy at the club. His attacking influence from right-back has been so profound that many credit him as a central figure in the position’s modern evolution.

The 2024–25 campaign was another standout year for him. Among defenders with at least 900 minutes played, no one matched his involvement in open-play shot-ending sequences per 90 minutes (6.2), underlining the creative force he brings from deep positions.

His attacking numbers back it up. No right-back recorded more than his nine goal contributions this season, and his six assists were unmatched among players in his role.

In open play, he created 41 chances — only Crystal Palace’s Daniel Muñoz (45) managed more from a right-sided defensive role, though Muñoz typically operated further forward.

Though his defensive credentials are still often debated, Alexander-Arnold’s offensive output remains unmatched. And this season, he played a key part in helping Liverpool reclaim the Premier League title.

What more could you want from a full-back?

Centre-Back – William Saliba (Arsenal)

Arsenal may have fallen short in their pursuit of the Premier League title, but their defence was far from the issue. In fact, they ended the season with the best defensive record in the league by a comfortable margin.

Aside from goalkeeper David Raya, no player was more integral to that backline than William Saliba. The French centre-back started 35 league matches, anchoring the defence with consistency and composure.

Despite injury setbacks throughout the 2024–25 season — including a spell without Gabriel Magalhães — Arsenal maintained their defensive stability. While Jakub Kiwior deserves credit for stepping up, it was Saliba’s steady presence that held things together.

Statistically, he stood out among centre-backs. Saliba ranked third for tackles (62), second for possession recoveries (154), and placed in the top 10 for duel success rate (64.1%).

He wasn’t just solid defensively; he played a crucial role in build-up play as well. Saliba recorded a league-best 94.5% pass completion rate in open play among centre-backs who attempted at least 100 passes. While he may not have been the most daring distributor, his dependability was vital.

He also contributed in progressing the ball, ranking 10th among centre-backs with 260 progressive carries — defined as carries that advanced the ball at least five metres upfield.

All in all, Saliba delivered a well-rounded and composed campaign, standing tall in a defence that was the best in the league. It was yet another impressive season for the Frenchman.

Centre-Back – Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)

Virgil van Dijk etched his name into the history books by captaining Liverpool to their second Premier League title — becoming the first Dutch player to lead a team to an English top-flight crown, and the first non-British captain to guide the Reds to domestic league glory.

His leadership has always been rooted in setting the standard, and once again, Van Dijk proved to be a rock at the heart of Liverpool’s defence.

Out of 167 players who contested at least 200 duels in the Premier League this season, only Nikola Milenković (70.1%) boasted a higher success rate than Van Dijk (68.7%). In the air, he was just as dominant — his aerial duel success rate of 72.1% was second only to James Tarkowski (74.6%) among players who competed in 100 or more aerial battles.

But Van Dijk’s game is about much more than sheer physicality.

Composed and assured on the ball, the Dutchman led the Premier League in passes attempted (2,921), completing them at an impressive 91.8% accuracy. Importantly, his distribution wasn’t just safe — he also topped the league for forward passes attempted (975) with an 80.0% completion rate.

Those progressive efforts made a real impact. Van Dijk completed 294 passes into the attacking third — at least 35 more than any other player in the Premier League this season — consistently helping Liverpool transition from defence to attack.

It was a commanding season from a commanding leader, who played a vital role in bringing the title back to Anfield.

Left-Back – Josko Gvardiol (Manchester City)

The only defender to surpass Trent Alexander-Arnold in open-play shot-ending sequences this season? Josko Gvardiol.

Though not a traditional full-back in terms of flair or creativity — and with many still viewing him as a centre-back by trade — Gvardiol firmly made the left-back position his own at Manchester City in 2024–25.

Physically dominant and defensively reliable, the Croatian brought a powerful presence to the flank. But it wasn’t just about defending — his forward intent played a key role in City’s buildup. While he didn’t rack up a huge number of key passes, his ability to drive the team upfield was clear.

Gvardiol registered 730 ball carries and 403 progressive carries — second only to Jan Paul van Hecke (767 and 493, respectively) among Premier League defenders.

And his attacking output went beyond carrying the ball.

He fired off 40 shots — the most of any defender apart from set-piece specialist Alexander-Arnold — and recorded 104 touches in the opposition box, with only Daniel Muñoz (112) having more.

That offensive involvement paid off, too. Gvardiol scored five goals over the course of the campaign — no defender in the league managed more.

All told, it was a standout season for the versatile Croatian, whose blend of power, intent, and goal threat made him one of the most impactful defenders in the Premier League.

Central Midfielder – Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool)

There were doubts about Ryan Gravenberch’s long-term fit at Liverpool after an underwhelming debut campaign under Jürgen Klopp, but Arne Slot has transformed the Dutch midfielder’s fortunes.

Slot’s decision to reposition Gravenberch from a more advanced No. 8 role to a deeper No. 6 has proven to be a masterstroke. Despite Liverpool facing criticism for not signing a dedicated defensive midfielder last summer, Gravenberch’s evolution has more than filled that void. Having seen his talent up close in the Eredivisie, Slot clearly had confidence in the former Ajax star — and it’s paid off handsomely.

Out of possession, Gravenberch has been instrumental in regaining control for Liverpool high up the pitch. He registered a team-high 44 high turnovers in the Premier League, with eight of those directly resulting in shots.

In terms of overall ball recovery, no Liverpool player won possession more often than Gravenberch (193 times). His anticipation and reading of the game also stood out — his 60 interceptions were the third most in the league, trailing only Aaron Wan-Bissaka (66) and Antonee Robinson (62).

His rise as a reliable defensive midfielder brought much-needed balance and structure to Liverpool’s spine — a crucial element in their title-winning campaign.

Central Midfielder – Declan Rice (Arsenal)

While Arsenal once again finished the season without silverware, Declan Rice has emphatically justified the £100 million investment that brought him to the Emirates from West Ham in July 2023.

The 2024–25 Premier League campaign marked his most productive season creatively. Rice recorded a personal best 59 chances created and 5.6 expected assists — both career highs since making his top-flight debut in 2016–17.

A major part of his creative output came through set-pieces. Only Andreas Pereira (37), Bruno Fernandes (29), and Leif Davis (28) created more chances from dead-ball situations than Rice (26). However, no player produced a higher expected goals tally from corners and indirect free-kicks than the Arsenal midfielder (3.3 xG), highlighting the precision and danger of his deliveries.

Defensively, Rice has been equally indispensable for Mikel Arteta’s side.

He led all Arsenal players in possession regains per 90 minutes (4.9) and covered the second-most ground per 90 (11.1km), behind only skipper Martin Ødegaard (11.3km) among teammates with at least 1,500 minutes played.

Rice has become the heartbeat of Arsenal’s midfield, and with performances like these, he looks set to drive the team forward for years to come.

Right-Winger – Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford)

Manchester United target Bryan Mbeumo delivered a standout 2024–25 season, showcasing clinical finishing and relentless energy in Brentford’s frontline. With 20 goals to his name, he became only the third player in the club’s history to hit that mark in a top-flight campaign — following Ivan Toney (20 in 2022–23) and the legendary Dave McCulloch (who scored 26, 31, and 26 between 1935 and 1938). He also chipped in with seven assists.

Operating predominantly from the right wing, Mbeumo was a constant menace — combining goal threat with creative spark, whether in open play or from set-pieces.

His relentless work rate added another dimension to his game. Mbeumo led the Premier League in off-the-ball runs (1,037), nearly 100 more than any other player. Only Bruno Guimarães (420.0 km) and Daniel Muñoz (389.5 km) covered more ground than the Brentford forward (387.6 km) over the course of the season.

He also ranked third in total sprints (870) and topped the league for off-the-ball runs at sprinting speed (389) — underlining his tireless commitment to creating space and movement in attack.

With explosive pace, boundless stamina, sharp creativity, and a lethal left foot, Mbeumo played a crucial role in Brentford’s strong season — helping them secure a top-half Premier League finish for just the second time in their history.

Left-Winger – Matheus Cunha (Wolves)

Wolves may have pulled clear of relegation to finish 16th under the guidance of new manager Vítor Pereira, but one of the team’s most consistent bright spots throughout the season was Matheus Cunha — now officially a Manchester United player.

Cunha’s tally of 15 goals and six assists reflects his direct impact, yet the numbers only tell part of the story. Many of his most memorable contributions came through moments of individual brilliance, often dragging Wolves back into matches almost single-handedly when the team struggled.

He led the Premier League in goals scored from outside the box (five, level with Bruno Fernandes), underlining his threat from distance. A powerful ball-carrier, Cunha completed 61 successful dribbles — one of the highest totals in the league — and was one of the few players to pair that with a double-digit goal haul. Among those elite dribblers, only Antoine Semenyo (11 goals) matched that feat.

His ability to unsettle defences also drew plenty of fouls — only Newcastle’s Bruno Guimarães (108) was fouled more times than Cunha (71). Additionally, he ranked third for shots from fast-break situations (13), behind only Mohamed Salah (27) and Son Heung-min (14).

In many ways, Cunha was the heartbeat of Wolves’ attack — often carrying the team through rough patches and proving his Premier League pedigree before making the step up to Old Trafford.

Striker – Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)

Few seasons in Premier League history have produced a Player of the Season as clear-cut as the 2024–25 campaign. Mohamed Salah stood head and shoulders above the rest, delivering one of the most statistically dominant individual performances the competition has ever witnessed — and playing a decisive role in Liverpool’s title-winning run.

Salah became the first player in Premier League history to register double figures in both goals and assists before Christmas. He went on to set a new benchmark for total goal involvements in a 38-game season, racking up an astonishing 47 (29 goals, 18 assists). That also saw him match the all-time Premier League record for a single campaign — originally set by Andy Cole (1993–94) and Alan Shearer (1994–95) — both of whom achieved their tallies in 42-game seasons.

Not only did Salah finish as the league’s top scorer, six goals clear of his nearest rival, but he also came close to equalling the single-season assist record of 20, held jointly by Thierry Henry (2002–03) and Kevin De Bruyne (2019–20).

Perhaps the most remarkable statistic of all: Salah both scored and assisted in 11 different matches — smashing the previous record of seven, which had been jointly held by five players. Incredibly, he had broken that record before the end of 2024.

Though his form dipped slightly in the closing stages of the campaign, Salah had already done more than enough to secure every major individual honour — and, more importantly, help bring the Premier League trophy back to Anfield.

Striker – Alexander Isak (Newcastle)

Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak may have finished second to Mohamed Salah in the Premier League scoring charts with 23 goals, but strip away penalties and the gap narrows dramatically — Salah edges it by just one (20 to 19).

Isak was pivotal to Newcastle’s return to the UEFA Champions League, with his blistering form during the winter months proving crucial to their top-four finish. During that period, the Swedish striker went on a remarkable scoring run, becoming only the fourth player in Premier League history to score in eight consecutive appearances. He joined an elite list that includes Ruud van Nistelrooy, Jamie Vardy, and Daniel Sturridge.

Isak netted nine goals in that six-game winning stretch — a run that matched the longest winning streak by any side in the Premier League this season — underlining just how central he was to Newcastle’s surge.

But his contribution wasn’t limited to scoring. Isak’s relentless pressing was a key asset in Newcastle’s off-the-ball efforts. Only Tyrick Mitchell (164) and Dominic Solanke (159) recorded more pressures leading directly to a turnover than Isak (146).

In the final third, he was just as tenacious. Only Solanke (559) managed more total pressures in that zone than Isak (440), and only Solanke (107) bettered his 100 turnovers won through pressing high up the pitch.

Whether through clinical finishing or defensive graft, Isak delivered a complete forward’s performance all season long.

Read More: What Jeremie Frimpong Brings to Liverpool: Speed, Dribbling, and Direct Attacking Threat

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