Premier League Team of the Season: Top Eleven Standout Performers
Selecting the ultimate eleven from the Premier League is always a challenge, especially in a season that has seen surprise breakouts and established stars alike raising their game. This year, both emerging talents and proven veterans played essential roles in their teams’ successes. Here’s a comprehensive look at the players who made the biggest impact across each position, forming this season’s best Premier League lineup.
Goalkeeper: Kasper Schmeichel — Leicester City’s Last Line of Defense
Kasper Schmeichel was instrumental in Leicester City’s incredible title-winning campaign. He managed 15 clean sheets throughout the season, only surpassed by Petr Cech. Schmeichel’s quick reflexes and composure under pressure resulted in a number of decisive saves at crucial moments, providing a robust foundation at the back and turning Leicester’s dream into reality.
Right Back: Hector Bellerin — Arsenal’s Speed Demon
Hector Bellerin established himself as one of the most promising young right backs in the Premier League. Known for his blistering pace and attacking contributions, Bellerin played in 36 matches, notching a goal and providing five assists. As a rare bright spot in Arsenal’s inconsistent season, his forward runs and precise passing made him an irreplaceable presence on the right flank.
Centre Back: Toby Alderweireld — The Anchor in Tottenham’s Defense
Toby Alderweireld emerged as one of the most astute signings of the season. His leadership and composure stabilized Tottenham’s defense, helping the team remain competitive throughout the campaign. Featuring in all 38 league games, Alderweireld contributed offensively as well with four goals and two assists, showcasing his threat on set pieces.
Centre Back: Wes Morgan — Leicester’s Towering Captain
Wes Morgan was the embodiment of resilience and leadership at the heart of Leicester’s defense. Playing every single game of the campaign, Morgan scored twice and was pivotal in maintaining 15 clean sheets. His blend of strength, speed, and tactical acumen made him one of the league’s most formidable centre-backs and a key figure in Leicester’s fairytale season.
Left Back: Christian Fuchs — The Unsung Workhorse
Christian Fuchs played a vital role on Leicester’s left side, often overshadowed by his teammates but crucial to their title charge. He contributed 4 assists and accumulated impressive defensive stats, making 100 tackles and 100 interceptions. Fuchs’s relentless work rate and defensive discipline set the standard for modern fullbacks.
Defensive Midfield: N’Golo Kante — The Engine Room
Widely regarded as one of the best transfers of the season, N’Golo Kante transformed Leicester’s midfield. Kante led Europe’s top five leagues with 174 tackles and topped the Premier League with 156 interceptions. His boundless energy, relentless pressing, and ability to recover possession laid the groundwork for Leicester’s attacking play, while also chipping in a goal and four assists from his 37 appearances.
Right Midfield: Riyad Mahrez — The Creative Catalyst and Captain
Riyad Mahrez dazzled with skill and flair, guiding Leicester throughout their unforgettable run. In 37 appearances, Mahrez scored 17 goals and provided 11 assists, making him one of the league’s most productive attackers. He led all players with 130 successful dribbles and won 10 man-of-the-match awards, confirming his status as the Premier League’s outstanding player and a natural choice to captain this team.
Attacking Midfield: Mesut Ozil — Arsenal’s Creative Maestro
Mesut Ozil set a new league record for chances created in a single season, with an astonishing 144. He contributed 19 assists—leading the Premier League—and chipped in with 6 goals from 35 games. Ozil’s precise passing and vision were vital in sustaining Arsenal’s push, and his creativity was unmatched in the campaign.
Left Midfield: Dimitri Payet — Set-Piece Specialist and Playmaker
In his debut Premier League season, Dimitri Payet made an immediate impact for West Ham United. Renowned for his mastery over dead balls, Payet finished with 9 goals and 12 assists from just 30 matches. He also created 116 chances, underlining both his influence in open play and from set pieces. His performances earned him a deserved call-up to France’s national team for Euro 2016.
Centre Forward: Harry Kane — Tottenham’s Prolific Marksman
Harry Kane delivered another outstanding campaign, reinforcing his reputation as one of the most complete forwards in England. He netted 25 goals in 38 appearances, blending clinical finishing with selfless link-up play. Kane’s contribution was vital to Tottenham’s dynamic attack and consistent presence near the top of the table.
Striker: Jamie Vardy — Leicester’s Record-Breaking Hero
Jamie Vardy’s meteoric rise from non-league obscurity to Premier League stardom was the season’s most captivating story. He shattered the record for scoring in consecutive matches by finding the net in 13 straight games. By season’s end, Vardy had scored 24 goals and made 6 assists in 36 games, capturing both the Football Writers’ Association (FWA) Footballer of the Year and the league’s Player of the Season honors.
Bench: Key Contributors Who Made a Difference
Several other players made significant impacts over the season and deserve recognition for their consistent performances:
- David De Gea
- Robert Huth
- Chris Smalling
- Danny Drinkwater
- Dele Alli
- Romelu Lukaku
- Sergio Aguero
These standout individuals brought impressive depth and quality across their respective positions, further elevating the competitive nature of the Premier League this season.
Conclusion: A Season Defined by Excellence and Surprise
This eleven encapsulates the blend of resilience, creativity, leadership, and goal-scoring prowess that defined a remarkable Premier League season. With a compelling mix of established stars and unexpected heroes, the 2015-16 campaign will be remembered as one of the most unpredictable and inspiring in the league’s history.
