PREMIER LEAGUE SEASON 2018/19 TEAM BY TEAM REVIEW
It was a thrilling and record breaking Premier League season where Man City and Liverpool went head to head and pushed each other all the way to the wire. Never before in a Premier League season has two teams amassed so many points with Liverpool finishing in second with 97. Which was in fact the third highest points total in Premier league history, behind Man City’s 100 points last season and 98 from this.
In addition to that, the race for the Champions League was also a thrilling fight, where at one staged it seemed nobody wanted it. With teams slipping up left, right and centre, making that race exciting and intense until the final day.
Wolves also marvelled the Premier League fans following their promotion with some superb results to qualify for the Europa League ahead of teams such as Everton. Leicester and West Ham. Finally, the fight to stay in the league was equally intense, with the likes of Burnley, Southampton and Brighton surviving the drop. At the expense of Cardiff, Fulham and Huddersfield.
Below is my team by team review……
MANCHESTER CITY
Player of the Season: Raheem Sterling
Top Scorer: Sergio Aguero (21)
Surprise Package: Bernardo Silva
After a record breaking league season last term. It was always going to be hard to match but if any team could, it would have been Guardiola’s men. They were pushed all the way by Liverpool but showed their quality and temperament to win their last 14 league games to take them to the title via one point.
They had to deal with injuries, particularly to KDB but the likes of Sterling, B.Silva and Laporte had arguably their best ever seasons, added to the typically consistent scoring of Aguero, class of Fernandinho in the middle of the park and quality of Ederson in goal. Not to mention contributions from Gundogan. Walker. D.Silva. Sane. Jesus Kompany and Even Foden to retain the title.
LIVERPOOL
Player of the season: Virgil Van Dijk
Top Scorer: Mo Salah & Sadio Mane (22)
Surprise Package: Trent Alexander-Arnold
It was a gallant effort by Liverpool who improved on last season by a massive 22 points, to push Man City’s all the way. While embarking on a successful European campaign to win their 6th Champions League title. Key signings by payed dividends with VVD proving a snip at £75m to turn in masterful performances. Salah seemingly having a poor season, finished top scorer for a second season in a row, joint with Mane, who was the talisman, scoring freely and hit 22 goals without any penalties.
TAA had a break out season, recording the most assists ever for a defender at just 20. He was pushed all the way by his full back colleague Robertson, who was also a surprise package. However, recording the third highest points tally in Premier League history would indicate other contributions and the likes of Alisson, Matip, Firmino. Fabinho. Wijnaldum. Gomez. Milner and Henderson all played their part during the season.
CHELSEA
Player of the season: Eden Hazard
Top Scorer: Eden Hazard (16)
Surprise Package: Callum Hudson-Odoi
In what seemed like an indifferent season. Chelsea came out of it very well. Finishing third and winning the Europa League. It wasn’t enough to keep hold of manager Sarri, who won the first trophy in his career. A lot had to do with the typical brilliance of Hazard, who became only the fourth man to record 15 goals and assists in the league behind Cantona. Le Tissier & Henry.
The main contributors were led by their consistent captain Azpilicueta. With defensive contributions from record signing keeper Kepa. Also Rudigar and Luiz. New signing Jorginho proved a hit, along with the typical consistency of Kante. Hudson-Odoi had a break out season, proving he can mix it with the very best. Also Pedro’s experience was invaluable, putting in telling contributions, along with Giroud.
TOTTENHAM
Player of the season: Son Heung-Min
Top Scorer: Harry Kane (17)
Surprise Package: Moussa Sissoko
Spurs surprised all to go from not bringing in any players in the summer. To making it to the Champions League final. Credit must go to Pochettino who has guided Spurs to one of the most consistent teams over the past three seasons. It’s a huge achievement to finish again in to top four. Especially after losing the goals of Kane towards the end of the season, who was having another decent scoring term.
Son was the main reason why Kane’s absence wasn’t as detrimental. Easily the player of the season, his direct running, trickery and goals made him a cult figure. Spurs’ other main contributors for the season came from Sissoko, who surprised everyone with his form and presence in midfield. Also, Vertonghen. Lloris. Winks. Lucas Moura. and Eriksen.
ARSENAL
Player of the season: Alexander Lacazette
Top Scorer: Pierre-Emeric Aubameyang (22)
Surprise Package: Lucas Torreira
It was quite an indifferent season for Arsenal. In Emery’s first season in charge, although they are obviously in transition and not much was expected. However, after a run during the season of 22 games unbeaten, hopes were risen, then it became difficult with some disappointing defeats causing them to miss out on Champions League football for a fourth season.
Some of the plus points were the performance of Aubemeyang, who finished joint top scorer. As well as, his partnership with Lacazette who really showed his quality, which bodes well for the future. When the times were good, other notable performances came from Ramsey. Leno. Bellarin. Guendouzi. Sokratis and Torrerira who took to the Premier League like duck to water and will only get better with experience.
MANCHESTER UNITED
Player of the season: Luke Shaw
Top Scorer: Paul Pogba (13)
Surprise Package: Scott McTominay
Given the circumstances, history and statue of the club. United had a disastrous season. It started with Mourinho and ended with Solskjaer and we are still undecided as to who did the better. Solskjaer’s interim appointment seemed to be a stroke of genius, with him breaking several records not even Sir Alex Ferguson could achieve. However, once he was made permanent, it seemed to go horribly wrong, prompting verbal attacks from past legends.
In a season where you are hard pressed to find any positives. The performances of Shaw proved to be one, with his energy up and down the left. Along with the defensive emergence of Lindelof, who eased into the roll well as the season went on. McTominay had a real break out season in very difficult circumstances and showed his temperament, along with his ability and a very good head on his shoulders.
WOLVES
Player of the season: Joao Moutinho
Top Scorer: Raul Jimenez (13)
Surprise Package: Diogo Jota
Nuno Espirito Santa will be given huge credit and the city of Wolves can be extremely proud of their team’s season. Nobody expected them to do so well after promotion, and with their special brand of attacking and counter attacking football, they claimed some memorable scalps and established themselves as real force in the top flight.
For me Joao Moutinho was the main man. He showed class and discipline in the midfield dictating play and setting his team on the attack. But there were many top performers including the goals of Jimenez, his link up play with and the forward running of Jota, who had a real break out season. Rui Patricio in goal. The defensive partnership of Coady and Boly. Also the constancy of Doherty at wing back and some cameo’s from Neves.
EVERTON
Player of the season: Lucas Digne
Top Scorer: Richarlison (13)
Surprise Package: Andre Gomez
After spending almost £90m in the summer on transfers. Everton will be upset, knowing that finishing 12 points off sixth and 17 points off the Champions League is simply not good enough. They suffered from a poor start to the season, with all the new signings having to adjust, although Marcos Silva seemed to have a better end to the season to save face.
Lucas Digne was a huge plus. He came in as competition for Baines, but soon surpassed him and quickly became a cult figure, with his wand of a left foot, scoring goals from open play and set pieces. Gomez was also a plus, his touch and intelligence made a huge difference. Richarlison’s goals were also important, but faded. Sigurdsson was also an important figure and had some highs. Other notable’s were Zouma, Keane & Gueye.
LEICESTER CITY
Player of the season: Ricardo Pereira
Top Scorer: Jamie Vardy (18)
Surprise Package: Youri Tielemans
I would say on reflection. Leicester wont be too unhappy with their season, or more to the point, how it ended. It started off with Claud Puel, but he lasted until February with Leicester not playing their usual free flowing football. Rodgers came in and lifted the spirits, confidence and hopes. He ended the season very well with plenty of positives for next season.
Pereira had a superb season. Started shaky defensively, but warmed into the roll to put in some inspiring performances and scoring some tremendous goals. Tilemans made everyone sit up and take notice, took no time adjusting and was close for player of the season, with his ability on the ball, vision and intelligence and still just 22. Other notables were obviously Vardy, as well as, Maguire. Evans. Chilwell. Maddson & Barnes.
WEST HAM UNITED
Player of the season: Lukasz Fabianksi
Top Scorer: Marko Arnautovic (10)
Surprise Package: Declan Rice
Considering, beginning of the season expectations, to how the season was going, to how it actually ended, WHU can feel content with their season. Obviously they harbour hopes of getting closer to the top six, but considering they improved on their league position by three places from the season before. They have made excellent progress under Pellegerini.
Fabainski was a huge plus, especially early in the season when they were struggling. His performances showed him to be one of the top keepers in the league. The emergence of Rice for club and country was massive and he gained momentum as the season went on, prompting everyone to agree he has bright future. West ham’s other top performances came from Diop, Balbuena. Arnautovic when fit. Noble. Filipe Andersson & Antonio.
WATFORD
Player of the season: Etienne Capoue
Top Scorer: Gerard Deulofeu (10)
Surprise Package: Abdoulaye Doucoure
For the first time in 8 years (not speaking too soon) Watford seemed to have survived a season with the same manager. Javi Garcia, after a shaky start, steadied the ship to record some decent results and made a habit of upset the odds or performing when least expected. Watford ended up having a prosperous season, finishing in their second highest league position and getting to the FA Cup final.
I don’t think there were many outstanding stars, it was more of a team effort. but Capoue seemed to be the most consistent and had the trust of the fans with his performances. That also went for Doucoure, who showed real ability and a goal scoring touch that has caught the eye of bigger clubs. Throughout the season, there were some notable performances from the likes of Foster. Pereyra. Deulofeu. Holebas. Deeney. Janmaat and Hughes.
CRYSTAL PALACE
Player of the season: Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Top Scorer: Luca Milivojevic (10)
Surprise Package: Aaron Wan-Bissaka
All things considered. Palace had a decent season, which was much improved from the season before and were fairly comfortable, not fighting relegation. Hodgson must be given credit for the progress he’s made in the last 18 months, not to mention, keeping hold of Zaha, bringing in some key acquisitions and the development of a few other players throughout the season.
There was no doubt that without Zaha things would have been different and when he was not in the side, it showed. He was the talisman that made them tick and put bums on seats. However, the emergence of Wan-Bissaka was huge in their progress. His inspirational and consistent performances has caught the eye of many. Other notable performances came from Milivojevic. Townsend. Batshuayi. Tomkins. Sakho. Guaita & Van Aanholt.
NEWCASTLE
Player of the season: Solomon Rondon
Top Scorer: Ayoze Perez (12)
Surprise Package: Ayoze Perez
I would say, in the end Newcastle will be happy with their season and will have full praise for Rafa Benitiez, who continues to work wonders. The fact that they were barely fighting relegation was an achievement in itself, although they finished three places worse off than they did the season before, they ended the season with one point more.
Loan signing Rondon was just what Newcastle needed and instantly became a cult hero. That iconic no9, big, strong, good in the air and an eye for goal. He was that the focal point in the attack and led the line very well. That said. Perez surprised one and all. He played in numerous position, mostly right midfield, to good effect. Adapted his play and became a revelation. Other notable contributions came from Debruvka. Schar. Ritchie & Haydon.
BOURNEMOUTH
Player of the season: Ryan Fraser
Top Scorer: Callum Wilson (14)
Surprise Package: David Brooks
For their decent standards, you can say they had a poor season. However, although they finished two places worse off than last season. I would say they can be taken as a blueprint on how to establish yourselves in the top flight. They’ve been in the league four seasons now and you cannot say they’ve had a real dog fight to stay in it. They’ve also done it by playing football the right way.
Wilson missed parts of the season, but still ended top scorer with a decent haul, leaving them thinking what if. They were a different side without him but Fraser compensated and had a superb season from midfield, even though he missed Wilson at times. 21 year old Brooks had a break out season and impressed with his ability and attacking prowess, which bodes well for the future. Other performers were Lerma. King & Ake.
BURNLEY
Player of the season: Ashley Westwood
Top Scorer: Ashley Barnes (12)
Surprise Package: Dwight McNeill
Sean Dyche’s men fell victim to their own success this season, as it was no secret that the Europa League campaign seriously effected their league season, not to mention the strain on their thin squad. It was a real testament to their mentality and ability how they ended the season, as for large parts of it, relegation was a real threat and the pressure was well and truly on. But they dug deep to pulled off a few decent results, to end the season comfortably.
Westwood emerged as the most consistent player during tough times and the fans recognised this. McNeill had a break out season, establishing himself as first team player with impressive performances. Barnes did extremely well providing a threat and goals upfront. I have to acknowledge Heaton, whose return to the team coincided with the team’s change of form. Other notables were Taylor. Tarkowski. Mee. Gudmundsson & Wood.
SOUTHAMPTON
Player of the season: Nathan Redmond
Top Scorer: Danny Ings (7)
Surprise Package: Yan Valery
Southampton had a wretched season, stranded near the bottom of the league for most of it and their league status under threat with Mark Hughes who lost his job. In stepped Ralph Hasenhuttl in December, he began to raise hope with his Klopp like enthusiasm. After a few spirited performances and moral boosting wins, the saints were on the road to recovery and survived relegation by five points.
Redmond was easily the stand out performer, with some inspirational performances and vital goals. Time and again he became the go to guy when goals were at a premium. Valery had a break out season, the young Frenchman became a revelation at wing back with some energetic displays a two superb goals. Other notable performers were Hojbjerg. Sims. Vestergaard and Ward-Prowse.
BRIGHTON
Player of the season: Shane Duffy
Top Scorer: Glenn Murray (13)
Surprise Package: Bernardo
Although Brighton struggled throughout the course of the season, at the end of he day, they starved off relegation and remained in the league for another season, which I thought was the aim. However, it turned out not to be good enough for the board, as they ended the season with no wins in their last 10 games. Brighton finished the season two places and four points worse off than the season before, which ultimately cost Hughton his job.
Centre back Duffy was the stand out player, which was probably due to him be the most improved. Credit must also go out to his defensive partner Dunk. Murray continued to prove he knows where the goal is and finished on an impressive goal tally for the season. Brazilian Full back Bernardo, in his first season in the league, equipped himself very well and really caught the eye. Other notables were Propper. March. Ryan. Gross & Montoya.
CARDIFF
Player of the season: Neil Etheridge
Top Scorer: Victor Camarasa (5)
Surprise Package: Nathaniel Mendez-Laing
Cardiff put up a valiant effort and fought hard, but just couldn’t survive relegation. It wasn’t for the want of trying, as they did put up a real fight and you have to feel sympathy for them, especially with the untimely death of Emiliano Sala. It was always going to be tough and it’s a testament to them, that they wasn’t relegated until the penultimate week of the season.
Naturally, in a relegated team the defenders and goalkeeper would have seen much action and their keeper was easily the stand out player, performing heroics on multiple occasions. He was part of the reason they manage to fight off relegation for so long. Mendez-Laing showed flashes of promising ability and notched 4 goals, including two at Old Trafford. Other notable performers were top scorer Camarasa. Bamba. Morrison and Paterson.
FULHAM
Player of the season: Callum Chambers
Top Scorer: Aleksandar Mitrovic (11)
Surprise Package: Aleksandar Mitrovic
Although Fulham were always going to be up against it coming up through the play offs, they were optimistic, partly due to them spending in excess of £100m on players in order to stay in the league. But the season did not pan out how they expected and they were struggling from the get go, which cost Jokanovic, then Ranieri their jobs. By the time Parker stepped in, they were already in free fall and planning for the inevitable.
It might be a bit of a lesson but with all the big money players that came in, it was a loan signing that performed the best, Chambers was moved from defence to midfield and really excelled in that new roll. Mitrovic became a revelation, especially early in the season with his goals and finished on a decent goals tally, which could get him another move. Others who performed well were Babel. La Merchand. Anguissa and Schurrle.
HUDDERSFIELD
Player of the season: Christopher Schindler
Top Scorer: Karlan Grant (4)
Surprise Package: Karlan Grant
The fact that Huddersfield survived a season in the league was an achievement in itself and the players will come away from playing a season or two with valuable experience. The fact that they were everyone’s favourites to go down shows how much they were up against it and this season was just a bridge too far. It was unfair after his heroics to get to the Premier League, the season cost David Wagner his job.
It would have been hard to choose a stand out player as Huddersfield struggled up front and at the back, but defender Schindler was most recognised for his achievements and efforts throughout the season. 21 year old Grant, finished top scorer and gave a good account of himself, showing his ability in front of goal and attacking prowess that may attract other clubs. Other notables were Mooy. Hogg. Billing Bacuna and Kongolo.
