Opta’s Premier League Team of the Year revealed with no Haaland.. but there is a reason why Man City ace misses out
OPTA have revealed their Premier League Team of the Year and Erling Haaland shockingly misses out.
The data analysts have had a look back at 2022 with the use of stats to find the best performers.
AlamyErling Haaland didn’t make the criteria for Opta’s Team of the Year[/caption]
Opta’s stat based best Premier League XI of 2022
Haaland has netted 21 goals in 15 Prem games since his summer arrival at Man City but he has failed to make the cut.
This is because only players that featured in both seasons during the calendar year are eligible.
Taking the No.9 spot instead of the Norwegian is Harry Kane.
The England skipper’s year may have been tainted by World Cup heartbreak but Kane has been outstanding in 2022.
He has scored more goals (26) and has more combined goals and assists (34) than any other player last year.
Son Heung-min joins him in the squad, with 18 goals only team-mate Kane has found the back of the net more.
In the dream line-up they will be supplied by James Maddison and Kevin de Bruyne.
The Leicester ace’s incredible form earned him a spot in the England squad for the World Cup and he has contributed with 23 combined goals and assists in 30 league matches.
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De Bruyne again wowed recording a league high of 110 chances and 16 assists.
Declan Rice provides protection for the defence, he has won possession more times than any other player (302) and made the highest amount of progressive carries with the ball (183).
Rodri can keep the team ticking, the Spaniard has completed 2,677 passes which is the highest amount in the Premier League.
In defence, Andy Robertson is at left-back.
Liverpool see their win percentage drop from 73 per cent to 50 per cent when he doesn’t start for Jurgen Klopp’s men.
Kieran Trippier has made a sensational impact since arriving at Newcastle.
The Toon were 19th in the table when he signed for the club last January and they are now 3rd.
It’s a Brazilian pair at the back in Thiago Silva and Gabriel Magalhaes.
The Chelsea veteran is the oldest outfield player in the division at the age of 38.
Gabriel partners him having started in every Arsenal league fixture.
Completing the XI, Alisson makes the cut as the best goalkeeper.
He has conceded 11 goals fewer than expected (27 from a XG of 37.8) due to his fantastic saves.
