Alternative Premier League Team of the Season

Jacque Talbot

• Updated: 15 Jun 2023 13:04 BST
• 5 min read

The Premier League 2022/23 campaign may be long gone, but we have been using the time over the past week or to crunch through the numbers for an alternative best XI.

Most of the teams of the seasons out there have the likes of Erling Haaland, Martin Odegaard, Rodri, and Kieran Trippier. But what of the rest of the stars who performed well?

Using SciSports’ data, we took a look at some of the real unsung heroes for the campaign, the ones who flew under the radar.

READ MORE: EXCLUSIVE: Arsenal agree Havertz contract but face £15m Chelsea challenge

Using a 433 formation, with each player having to feature in a minimum of ten Premier League matches, here’s what we came up with.

GK: Bernd Leno (Fulham)

Leno made 3.94 saves per 90 minutes at a save percentage of 77.1%, which puts him alongside some of the best keepers in Europe. In terms of goals prevented, which measures shot-stopping quality – his 0.25 goals prevented per 90 minutes figure is only bettered by Liverpool’s Allison.The German was critical in helping Fulham to a seemingly unlikely top-half finish.

RB: Serge Aurier (Nottingham Forest)

Aurier has been decent with his passing, dribbling and crossing but his outstanding defensive contribution has been instrumental in Forrest avoiding relegation. Aggressive in his pressing, Aurier sits in the 90th percentile and above for tackles and interceptions, clearances and aerials won per 90 minutes compared to full-backs in Europe’s top five.

CB: Joachim Andersen (Crystal Palace)

Was monumental in possession, especially long passes and passes into the final third– helping Palace get out from under pressure and setting off counters for the likes of Wilfred Zaha, Eberechi Eze, and Michael Olise.

Solid in defence, with an impressive 72% of aerials won. Rarely made mistakes and with 7.08 clearances per 90 minutes put him in the 99th percentile of defenders in the top 5 leagues.

CB: Fabian Schar (Newcastle)

Excellent with his distribution from the back. Performed well at pressing, recoveries and blocks and was a huge part of a defence that conceded the joint fewest goals this season. Also very disruptive presence in the opposition box – scored two goals and got one assist but created 1.66 shot-creating actions per 90 minutes, putting him amongst the best defenders in Europe last campaign.

LB: Pervis Estupinan (Brighton)

The Brighton defender offered 0.20 goals + assists P90 so is very offensive-minded but is good on the ball, making 53 passes P90 at a solid 81.8% success rate, including 5.28 progressive passes and 1.72 key passes P90. Great at positioning and frequently receives the ball in the final 3rd. Also good at carrying the ball if needed and combines very well with other players, especially Kaoru Mitoma.

CM: Danilo (Nottingham Forest)

Joined in January but had a big impact in helping keep Forest up. A modern-day defensive midfielder who is as impressive both on and off the ball. Also contributed with 0.46 goals and assists per 90 minutes, which puts him in the 96th percentile of midfielders in the top five leagues. So he is not afraid to drive into the opposition box and take attempts at goal. Great defensive numbers for blocks and clearances too.

CM: Casemiro (Man Utd)

The most high-profile name on the list – but a player who needs to be mentioned in a season where he has been overshadowed by some of the Manchester City and Arsenal midfielders. Showcased a defensive masterclass with high performance in tackles, blocks and interceptions. But also excellent in possession helping build up and ball progression for a Man Utd side that made an impressive jump from last season. Also chipped in with 0.24 goal contributions per 90 minutes.

CM: Eberiche Eze (Crystal Palace)

After an injury-ravaged campaign last season, Eze has been a revelation in a more central and playmaking role - while 1.95 key passes and 2.36 progressive carries per 90 minutes from midfield show that he has transitioned smoothly. But he hasn’t lost his offensive edge and had an impressive 0.48 goal contributions per 90 minutes. Also has over four shot-creating actions per 90 minutes and 2.42 successful take-ons, putting him amongst the best midfielders in Europe for those metrics.

RW: Allan Saint-Maximin (Newcastle)

Played just over 1000 minutes, but has 0.40 assists per 90 minutes. He always looked dangerous when on the pitch, and this shows with over five shot-creating actions P90. He also has 5.54 progressive passes, 7.47 progressive carries and almost five successful take-ons per 90 minutes - numbers that put him amongst the best wingers in Europe.

LW: Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton)

Incredible debut Premier League campaign, and formed a formidable partnership with Estupinan on the left wing from Brighton. The winger forged 0.47 goals + Assists P90. Decent passing numbers, but a very impressive dribbler who can go both inside and out while taking players on. His numbers for progressive carries, carries into the final third and carries into the penalty area are amongst the best for wingers in the top five leagues. Also has a very underrated defensive contribution.

ST: Roberto Firmino (Liverpool)

Only started 13 games and played under 1500 minutes but 0.72 NPG and 0.28 assists puts him in the 95th percentile for both metrics in the top 5 leagues. SGA of 0.24 also puts him as one of the best shooting qualities in Europe over the season.