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Europa League Team of the Season: Bruno Fernandes and Nico Williams IN
Tom Weber
- Updated: 21 May 2025 15:58 CDT
- 5 min read
Analysis
From epic comebacks to unexpected emergences, the 2024/25 Europa League campaign provided plenty of drama.
On Wednesday night, Tottenham were crowned champions of Europe's secondary competition after beating Man Utd 1-0 in the final at San Mames in Bilbao, thus claiming their first major piece of silverware since 2008.
An all-English affair, the game took on extra importance due to the dire state that both teams have been in all season. Neither Man Utd nor Spurs have been in any way impressive this term as they sit 16th and 17th, respectively, in the Premier League table.
The final in the Basque Country was therefore a season-defining fixture as it allowed the winner, in this case Spurs, to qualify for next season's Champions League, whereas Man Utd have to contend with historic failure, which is likely to have major consequences for the club's future.
However, the Europa League season wasn't all about the two English finalists. There were plenty of great storylines and standout performers, so here is FootballTransfers' Best XI of the competition...
2024/25 Europa League Team of the Season
As is so often the case in football, the Europa League season was defined by attackers. It was therefore a struggle to pick just a few names from a host of deserving options.
Ultimately, we decided to line this team up in a 3-4-3 formation, while also taking some liberties with the positioning of players. In goal, we gave the nod to Olympiacos shot-stopper Konstantinos Tzolakis, who kept a whopping six clean sheets in 10 appearances.
On the left side of our back-three, we chose Man Utd's new cult hero Harry Maguire. The England international only featured in seven games this Europa League season, but his impact was undeniable.
With a goal and an assist in the epic 5-4 quarter-final second leg victory over Lyon, the 32-year-old saved the Red Devils' season - at least until the final. Maguire is partnered by his Man Utd teammate Casemiro.
Of course, the Brazilian is a midfielder by trade, but has played at centre-back before, and we simply had to include him. Just like Maguire, the former Real Madrid star stepped up in the big games, notching three assists against Lyon and a goal in each leg against Athletic Club in the semis.
On the right side of our back three, we opted to go with Tottenham full-back Pedro Porro. The Spaniard made the most appearances for Spurs in Europe this season, and he provided two goals and three assists.
With the final at San Mames in Bilbao, Athletic Club were desperate to reach the showpiece. They ultimately fell short against Man Utd, but winger Nico Williams made them dream with three goals in the knockout stages.
He also netted twice and recorded two assists in the group stage, so he plays for us at left wing. On the opposite side, we are using Rayan Cherki, who recorded a stunning eight assists and four goals in 12 appearances this season. Cherki's Lyon teammate Malick Fofana needs to be an honourable mention.
Our midfield pairing consists of two captains in the shape of Bodo/Glimt stalwart Patrick Berg and Man Utd's midfield maestro Bruno Fernandes. The latter needs no introduction; with seven goals and five assists, he easily was the best player of the tournament.
Berg, on the other hand, is perhaps not as familiar a name, but Bodo/Glimt's fairytale run to the semis certainly enhanced his reputation. The defensive midfielder even chipped in with two goals and three assists.
For our front three, we have chosen Man Utd's much-maligned Rasmus Hojlund, Bodo/Glimt's prolific Kasper Hogh and Spurs sharpshooter Dominic Solanke.
On the whole, it has been a hugely disappointing season for Hojlund, but there is no denying that he had a great impact in Europe. With six goals and three assists, he was among the most productive attackers in the competition.
Similarly, Solanke also contributed to nine goals for Tottenham. He scored five, including the decisive goal against Frankfurt in the quarters and twice in the semis against Bodo/Glimt, and set up his teammates four times.
Hogh, meanwhile, was the joint-most-prolific player in the tournament with seven goals, a tally only matched by Fernandes and Olympiacos forward Ayoub El Kaabi.
2024/25 Europa League Best XI
GK: Konstantinos Tzolakis (Olympiacos)
CB: Harry Maguire (Man Utd)
CB: Casemiro (Man Utd)
CB: Pedro Porro (Spurs)
LW: Nico Williams (Athletic Cub)
CM: Bruno Fernandes (Man Utd)
CM: Patrick Berg (Bodo/Glimt)
RW: Rayan Cherki (Lyon)
ST: Rasmus Hojlund (Man Utd)
ST: Kasper Hogh (Bodo/Glimt)
ST: Dominic Solanke (Spurs)
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