The Setup: A Classic 4-3-3
Deeney’s gone for a 4-3-3 formation pretty standard for the modern game, balancing defense, creativity, and some serious firepower up top. His XI is a mix of title winners, breakout stars, and players who’ve carried their teams through thick and thin. Here’s the full squad:
Goalkeeper: Matz Sels, the Forest Wall
Kicking things off between the sticks, Deeney’s gone for Nottingham Forest’s Matz Sels. Now, this might raise a few eyebrows, especially since Sels shared the Golden Glove with Arsenal’s David Raya. But Troy’s got his reasons, and I’m with him on this one. “Look at the team Raya has in front of him compared to Sels,” Deeney said. “Sels is making massive saves every week.” Forest had a belter of a season, pushing for Europe, and Sels was their rock at the back. He’s not just stopping shots; he’s keeping Forest in games they had no business staying in. For a team that’s not got the star-studded defense of an Arsenal or Liverpool, that’s huge. Sels is Deeney’s nod to the underdog who overdelivered.
Defenders: A Rock-Solid Back Four
The backline is where things get spicy. Deeney’s picked a quartet that’s got everything leadership, flair, and a bit of grit.
Midfielders: The Engine Room
The midfield trio is where the magic happens work rate, vision, and a sprinkle of stardust.
Up top, Deeney’s gone for a trio that’s got pace, power, and pure class.
No shock here Arne Slot’s the gaffer. Liverpool’s title win in his first season? That’s the stuff of dreams. Deeney loves how Slot handled the pressure, the media, and the egos, saying he dealt with “all the negativity” like a pro. Eddie Howe and Nuno Espirito Santo got honorable mentions, but Slot’s the man who brought the Premier League trophy back to Anfield. Respect.
What’s Missing? The Snubs and Surprises
Deeney’s team is class, but no list is perfect. Arsenal’s David Raya might feel hard done by, sharing the Golden Glove but losing out to Sels. Nottingham Forest’s Nikola Milenkovic, who Deeney once called “arguably the best centre-half in the league,” didn’t make the cut, which is a head-scratcher. And where’s someone like Forest’s Sandro Tonali, who was popping up in weekly picks? Manchester City’s absence is telling too shows how tough their season was. Still, Deeney’s gone for balance: four Liverpool lads for their title heroics, but also props to Villa, Newcastle, and Brentford for punching above their weight.
The Fan Angle: Have Your Say
BBC Sport’s thrown it open to fans to vote for their Player of the Season from Deeney’s XI. Is it Salah’s goals, Van Dijk’s leadership, or maybe Isak’s flair? Social media’s probably going wild with debates X will be full of fans backing their faves or moaning about snubs. That’s the beauty of these lists, right? They get everyone talking.
Final Thoughts: A Season to Remember
Troy Deeney’s Team of the Season is a love letter to the 2024-25 Premier League Liverpool’s dominance, Villa’s rise, Forest’s surprise package, and individual brilliance from the likes of Mbeumo and Palmer. It’s not just about the big names; it’s about players who stepped up, week in, week out. Whether you agree with Sels over Raya or Konsa over Milenkovic, you can’t deny Troy’s put together a squad that captures the heart of the season. So, grab a mate, crack open a drink, and let’s argue over who should’ve made it. That’s what football’s all about.
Deeney’s gone for a 4-3-3 formation pretty standard for the modern game, balancing defense, creativity, and some serious firepower up top. His XI is a mix of title winners, breakout stars, and players who’ve carried their teams through thick and thin. Here’s the full squad:
- Goalkeeper: Matz Sels (Nottingham Forest)
- Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), William Saliba (Arsenal), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
- Midfielders: Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle United), Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool), Cole Palmer (Chelsea)
- Forwards: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), Alexander Isak (Newcastle United), Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford)
- Manager: Arne Slot (Liverpool)
Goalkeeper: Matz Sels, the Forest Wall
Kicking things off between the sticks, Deeney’s gone for Nottingham Forest’s Matz Sels. Now, this might raise a few eyebrows, especially since Sels shared the Golden Glove with Arsenal’s David Raya. But Troy’s got his reasons, and I’m with him on this one. “Look at the team Raya has in front of him compared to Sels,” Deeney said. “Sels is making massive saves every week.” Forest had a belter of a season, pushing for Europe, and Sels was their rock at the back. He’s not just stopping shots; he’s keeping Forest in games they had no business staying in. For a team that’s not got the star-studded defense of an Arsenal or Liverpool, that’s huge. Sels is Deeney’s nod to the underdog who overdelivered.
Defenders: A Rock-Solid Back Four
The backline is where things get spicy. Deeney’s picked a quartet that’s got everything leadership, flair, and a bit of grit.
- Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool): Let’s be real, Trent was a shoo-in. Deeney called him “the easiest pick” for a reason. The Liverpool right-back was immense in their title-winning season, spraying passes like he’s playing FIFA on easy mode. Even with all the chatter about a potential move to Real Madrid, Trent stayed focused, played every game, and was a game-changer. Deeney gave a shout-out to West Ham’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka for a cracking season, but Trent’s title credentials sealed the deal.
- William Saliba (Arsenal): Saliba’s become the Rolls Royce of centre-backs, hasn’t he? Deeney loves how he pairs with Gabriel, saying, “Saliba needs someone aggressive next to him so he can glide.” Arsenal didn’t quite pip Liverpool to the title, but Saliba was a colossus at the back, even if his form dipped a tad late on. He’s young, classy, and already one of the best in the league.
- Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa): Now, this one’s a bit of a love letter from Deeney. Konsa’s been a regular in his Team of the Week picks, and Troy reckons he’s “growing into an exceptional centre-back.” Villa qualified for the Champions League, and Konsa was their steady Eddie versatile, reliable, and stepping up big time. He’s even got Deeney thinking he could be England’s future. Bold, but I’m here for it.
- Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool): No surprises here. Deeney calls Virgil “the best centre-back in world football,” and who’s arguing? The Liverpool captain led by example, marshaling a defense that powered their title charge. He signed a new contract, shut down strikers, and made everyone around him better. He’s the kind of player you build a team around.
The midfield trio is where the magic happens work rate, vision, and a sprinkle of stardust.
- Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle United): Bruno’s the heartbeat of Newcastle, and Deeney’s all over him. “He’s scored massive goals and is the life and soul of that team,” Troy said. Leading Newcastle to the EFL Cup and a Champions League spot, Bruno was everywhere breaking up play, setting the tempo, and popping up with clutch moments. He’s the kind of player you hate facing but love watching.
- Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool): Mac Allister’s been Liverpool’s unsung hero. Deeney reckons he’s their “most consistent midfielder,” and that’s high praise in a squad full of stars. He scored a belter of a goal probably that screamer Deeney mentioned and set the standard in midfield. Calm, clever, and always in the right place, he’s the glue that kept Liverpool ticking.
- Cole Palmer (Chelsea): Cole Palmer in a Chelsea side that didn’t light up the league? Yep, Deeney’s got a soft spot for him. “The way he glides past people,” Troy said after one game, and Palmer’s been doing that all season. He’s got that X-factor, creating chances and scoring goals even when Chelsea were wobbling. He’s the spark in a team that needed more of it.
Up top, Deeney’s gone for a trio that’s got pace, power, and pure class.
- Mohamed Salah (Liverpool): Mo Salah, the King of Anfield. Deeney’s run out of superlatives, saying it’s “the season of his life.” Salah’s goals and assists were off the charts, and with a new contract in the bag, he’s cemented his legend status. He’s the guy you’d back to score in a 0-0 game with one chance. No debate here.
- Alexander Isak (Newcastle United): Deeney’s gone big on Isak, calling him “the best striker in the Premier League, maybe the world.” That’s a statement! Despite missing some games through injury, Isak was just six goals off Salah’s tally in a Newcastle side that wasn’t always firing on all cylinders. His movement, finishing, and link-up play are unreal. Troy’s got him pegged as a world-beater, and I’m not arguing.
- Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford): Mbeumo’s the wildcard, and I love it. Twenty Premier League goals for Brentford? That’s ridiculous. Deeney reckons he’s ready for a big move maybe even Manchester United. Mbeumo’s been Brentford’s talisman, stepping up when others didn’t, and his work rate matches his flair. This pick shows Troy’s got an eye for the underdog.
No shock here Arne Slot’s the gaffer. Liverpool’s title win in his first season? That’s the stuff of dreams. Deeney loves how Slot handled the pressure, the media, and the egos, saying he dealt with “all the negativity” like a pro. Eddie Howe and Nuno Espirito Santo got honorable mentions, but Slot’s the man who brought the Premier League trophy back to Anfield. Respect.
What’s Missing? The Snubs and Surprises
Deeney’s team is class, but no list is perfect. Arsenal’s David Raya might feel hard done by, sharing the Golden Glove but losing out to Sels. Nottingham Forest’s Nikola Milenkovic, who Deeney once called “arguably the best centre-half in the league,” didn’t make the cut, which is a head-scratcher. And where’s someone like Forest’s Sandro Tonali, who was popping up in weekly picks? Manchester City’s absence is telling too shows how tough their season was. Still, Deeney’s gone for balance: four Liverpool lads for their title heroics, but also props to Villa, Newcastle, and Brentford for punching above their weight.
The Fan Angle: Have Your Say
BBC Sport’s thrown it open to fans to vote for their Player of the Season from Deeney’s XI. Is it Salah’s goals, Van Dijk’s leadership, or maybe Isak’s flair? Social media’s probably going wild with debates X will be full of fans backing their faves or moaning about snubs. That’s the beauty of these lists, right? They get everyone talking.
Final Thoughts: A Season to Remember
Troy Deeney’s Team of the Season is a love letter to the 2024-25 Premier League Liverpool’s dominance, Villa’s rise, Forest’s surprise package, and individual brilliance from the likes of Mbeumo and Palmer. It’s not just about the big names; it’s about players who stepped up, week in, week out. Whether you agree with Sels over Raya or Konsa over Milenkovic, you can’t deny Troy’s put together a squad that captures the heart of the season. So, grab a mate, crack open a drink, and let’s argue over who should’ve made it. That’s what football’s all about.
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