Premier League Team of the first half of the season: The XI showstoppers so far

The first half of the 2021-22 Premier League season has come to an end even if it is inconclusive due to the effects of the Covid 19. However, a lot of players have stood out in the past half and in this article, we take a look at the best XI at half way through in the English top-flight.

Trent Alexander-Arnold (L) and Mohamed Salah in a file photo. (Image: Twitter/@premierleague)

Goalkeeper - Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal)

The England goalkeeper joined the Gunners in the summer from Sheffield United in a £24m deal and was not well received in North London after his reputation with AFC Bournemouth and recently Sheffield United.

The 23year old could not help his side avoid relegation to the Championship in his two previous seasons and a struggling Arsenal side, at the time of his arrival made fans feel they have spend on the wrong player.

However, months after his first game for the club in the league, he has them in a Champions League place at Christmas, their first time in the position at this stage of the season since 2016.

Aaron Ramsdale has kept nine clean sheets in 16 league games, only Manchester City’s Ederson Moraes has more clean sheets than him, while also making 55 saves, averages 3.4 saves per game, the highest of any Goalkeeper to have up to five clean sheets in the league.

Ramsdale has made a huge impact at Arsenal this season, and as kept the second highest number of clean sheets. (Photo: Getty)

Ramsdale has made himself the Arsenal Number one in short time, displacing Bernd Leno and in the process make himself a fans favourite at the club. More importantly, he is a huge part to their build up play as evident in most of their games, most recently the Alexander Lacazette goal against West Ham United.

His resurgence at the Emirates has also earned him a call up to the Three Lions squad made his debut in a 10-0 win over San Marino November. Should Ramsdale continue his blistering form, he will take some beating for the PFA Team of the season come May.

Left-back - João Cancelo (Manchester City)

One of the best players in the league last season, the 27year old Portuguese has started the new season from where he left off the previous season, and even better.

Contributing well in defense for Pep Guardiola side, who have the best defensive record in the league this season with the most clean sheets, 10, and the least amount of goals conceded, nine.

Upfield, only Trent Alexander-Arnold has won more possession in the final third than the Manchester City full back. Yes, Cancelo is a right footer but so far has been deployed on the left and has expertly taken care of affairs, whilst at times he also plays on the right.

João has been a joy to watch this season. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

One goal four assists so far, he has created 24 goal scoring chances, a number onli bettered by Trent Alexander-Arnold among defenders. His 34 interceptions is the most of any full back, and his 25 successful tackles also rank high amongst those of other full backs.

As at Christmas, he has 214 entries into the final third, which ranks him first in amongst all other players in the whole of Europe top five leagues this term. He has also become the first defender to contribute to ten goals under Pep Guardiola in a season, since David Alaba at Bayern Munich in 2013-14 season. 

As Manchester City assume the top and establish a three point gap lead, the former Juventus man will be crucial in the bid to retain the league title and having him fit is a priority for Pep and Manchester City.

Right Centre Back - Ruben Dias (Manchester City)

The PFA Player of the year last season, Ruben Dias has made the City defence so steady that they rarely concede goals or even chances to the opposition.

City have the best defensive record in the league and this has come to be thanks to Dias and his compatriots in defense. Apart from concedeing the least goals, City have also kept the most clean sheets and have made it very difficult for oppositions to penetrate.

Ruben Dias is again showing his class in his second season in England. (Photo by Martin Rickett/PA Images via Getty Images)

The defense has been key for Pep Guardiola’s side as they perform their primary to perfection and also help on the attack and Dias, being their best Centre back earn a place in our selection.

Left Centre Back - Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)

The Dutch defender’s return from injury has really helped Liverpool’s cause in challenging for the league title and currently, they sit second on the log, three points behind table toppers Manchester City.

Before testing positive for Covid, which has kept him out of the last two games, Liverpool were just a point behind City but his absence is starting to hurt Jurgen Klopp side as they conceded two at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in a 2-2 draw, ending their seven games winning run against the London club.

Van Dijk presence has made the Liverpool defense more assuring. (Image credit: Getty Images)

Van Dijk, known presence aerially and on the ground, the former Southampton man has played 16 of The Reds’ 18 league games so far, helping them keep nine clean sheets, while also making plausible contributions in the team play.

He remains one of the best in the world at what he does and Liverpool are reaping the dividends of parading a world class player.

Right-back - Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)

Not only the best right-back in the league but one of the best playmakers. Trent Alexander-Arnold has completely transform his position into something else and he has become joy to watch in games.

Creating chances, scoring goals, assisting them. Yes, many might fault his defending but with him, Liverpool have kept 10 clean sheets in 18 games this season, second best amongst all the defense in the league. This translates that the Liverpool defender is doing his task to perfection.

Only Bruno Fernandes has created more goal scoring chances than the 23year old and he has also won 12 possession in the final third, more than any fullback in the league. His eight assists in only bettered by Mohamed Salah and this season has stepped up his defensive game.

He has already bettered his goal contribution of nine in the league last season and could be set for even better standard come the end of the season. With his performance so far, he will take some beating for another Young PFA of the year come May.

Central Defensive Midfielder - Declan Rice (West Ham United)

The English Midfielder has played every minute of West Ham United’s League game this season, helping them to occupying the sixth position on the log as they continue their quest for Champions League football next season.

Declan Rice in action for West Ham United in a home game. (GETTY Images)

Rice, 22, ranks highest among other Central Defensive midfield players in the league with his presence, strength, accuracy and energy, helping the club dominate the middle of the park.

So far in the 2021-22 season, Rice has made 32 interceptions and 23 clearances, a number considerably high in comparison to other midfielders. He also has 22 successful tackles, which is 53 percent of his total attempts.

He has created 18 chances and made 15 key passes. Made five blocks and made one clearance off the line. Rice has four goal contributions so far in the league, already equalling his best attacking returns in a league season.

The West Ham United number 41 has continued from where he left off in the last season and has become even better at it.

Central Midfielder - Conor Gallagher (Crystal Palace)

The young Midfielder has been a revelation at Palace since joining on a season long loan from Chelsea. He has been at the heart of everything good for Crystal Palace under their new manager, Patrick Vieira.

Conor Gallagher celebrates his second goal in a 3-1 Crystal Palace win over Everton at Selhurst Park (Picture: Getty)

The 21year old has proven he is on another level compared to all other players in the ranks at Selhurst Park. More goal contributions than any other player at the club and his 34 chances created is one of the most in the league.

For a Palace side, he has won 10 possession in the final third, making him one of the few players in the second half of the table to have earned double digits of possession in the third half of the pitch.

Completes 1.3 dribbles per game with 56 percent of his attempted completed while his 34 chances created is only bettered by Bruno Fernandes, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Bukayo Saka and Mohamed Salah.

Gallagher has thrived so far despite being surrounded by average players and his strong mettle has earned him a place in our team for the first half of the season.

Central Midfielder - Bernardo Silva (Manchester City)

Portuguese Midfielder Bernardo Silva has been Manchester City’s best player so far in the league and duly takes his place in our team of the first half of the season.

The 27year old has missed just one of City’s 19 league games so far, pulling the strings in the midfield and producing moments of quality and genius, to help City take the game to their opponent and beyond them.

Seven goals and one assists so far, the former AS Monaco playmaker has created 30 goal scoring chances, the most of any Manchester City player and his presence has been vital for City and Pep Guardiola has deployed him more times than any other player except for defenders.

Bernardo Silva has missed just one league game this season in a star studded Manchester City side. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

The Portuguese will also be making a strong case for the PFA Player of the season if City does go all the way to winning the title, even if as at now, a certain Mohamed Salah seems to be in a league of his own.

Left wing forward - Emile Smith Rowe (Arsenal)

It is now a year since the 21year became an integral part of the Arsenal team and he has done justice to the chance afforded him. This season, he has been rewarded with an improved contract and given the iconic number 10 shirt.

He has hit the ground running this season and has been by far a better player than he was last season. Despite the early season struggles, the player and Arsenal have put that behind them and collectively doing well at the moment.

Emile Smith Rowe has been Arsenal’s best player this season with 10 goal contributions in the league already, eight goals, two assists. He has been very vital for the in killing off games. One of the toughest player to dispossess when on the ball in the league.

No Midfielder has score more goals than the Hale Ender in the league and even though recently he has not been selected for Arsenal’s last three games since he returned from injury, he has come on as substitute in all the three times and score a goal in each of the three.

Smith Rowe is only the fourth player to score in three consecutive Premier League games for Arsenal when aged 21 or younger (Photo: Reuters)

The Midfielder is making the most of little chances and has become one of the goal threat in the league. His accuracy has also helped him achieve his goals, with 16 of his shots, which is on a percentage of 80 hitting the target, while he has also created 22 goal scoring chances in his 3 starts.

Smith Rowe is also very gifted technically. He has completed 66 percent of his dribbles and 88 percent pass completion is something of a rarity for a winger and a playmaker in a high tempo league like the Premier League, mostly when you are not a player of Manchester City.

One of the contender for the PFA Young player of the year come the end of the season. His case will be very strong most especially if Arsenal are to make a top four finish, and he continues to add numbers to his game.

Right wing forward - Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)

Not only the best player in the league but in the world, Mohamed Salah this season is as good as a player can get. As they say, currently, he is the SI Unit of any football player on the planet.

Most goals and assists in the league after 18 games played, the 29year old once went on a run of 15 league games without failing to score or assist at least a goal. Only in two league games this season, Burnley and Tottenham, has the Egyptian failed to register a goal contribution.

Mohamed Salah’s form this season has put him in the bracket of the best in the world. (IMAGE / Sportimage)

15 goals nine assists and third most chances created, the former Chelsea and AS Roma forward is already running away with the PFA Player of the year award with his consistency and productiveness, Liverpool will be gutted to lose him to the African Cup of Nations but the good news is he will miss just two league games.

He has helped Jürgen Klopp’s side stay in the chase for the title and they currently have the best attack in the league, while they also place second with a game in hand.

The Egyptian however is not yet committed to the club with his current contract ends in the summer of 2022-23. Liverpool are struggling to reach an agreement with the player but they know it is a must have have one of the best player in the world on their side and will continue to work on convincing him to stay.

Striker - Emmanuel Dennis Bonaventure (Watford)

Not many new faces you'll expect to make the headline joined the Premier League in the summer. O! Cristiano Ronaldo ? The five time Balon d'Or winner is no stranger to the Premier League as he spent his early days at Manchester United. Even Martin Ødegaard was first at Arsenal on loan before permanently joining in the summer.

Emmanuel Dennis has been directly involved in 12 league goals, more than any other striker in the Premier League. (Photo by AFP)

But Emmanuel Dennis Bonaventure, surely not many would have thought he will have this much impact after joining from Club Brugge for just £3.4m in the summer.

So far so good for the 24year old with seven goals and five assists in 15 games, the Nigerian is proving some bargain for the Hornets and will take some beating for the newcomer of the season in England.

Has been at the heart of everything good for an unsettled Watford in the league and you wonder where the newly promoted side will be without the striker.

Not many strikers have been consistent in the league so far with Diogo Jota and Jamie Vardy the only two strikers to have scored more than him but Dennis has been more clinical than Jota and more consistent than Vardy.

He takes his place in our team of the first half of the season, his deserved place.

Of course we'll not forget to acknowledge the contributions of players like Ederson Moraes, Mason Mount, Raphinha, Antonio Rudiger, Reece James, Diogo Jota, Conor Coady, Gabriel Magalhães and others who have been outstanding so far. However, this set we deemed have been more of the showstoppers.

Author: Kehinde Hassan Afolabi