Goalkeeper: Matz Sels (Nottingham Forest)
Perhaps the most difficult decision in the XI. David Raya has been excellent at Arsenal and Mark Flekken quietly impressive behind a loose Brentford defence. But that Sels has been the third-busiest keeper in the league (89 saves) behind Flekken and Southampton’s Aaron Ramsdale, yet has conceded the fourth-fewest goals (35) shows his importance, particularly when nine of Forest’s 16 league wins have been by one goal (even if his best stop, a remarkable fingertip save on to the bar against Brighton, came rather unnecessarily in a 7-0 win).
Right-back: Daniel Muñoz (Crystal Palace)
With apologies to Ola Aina and Trent Alexander-Arnold, Muñoz gets the nod. The 28-year-old, signed from Belgian club Genk last year, is an elite dual threat, with and without the ball. The only Premier League defender to have more touches than Muñoz in the opposing box this season is City’s Josko Gvardiol and the only player to make more tackles is Everton’s Idrissa Gueye. The Colombian’s engine, tenacity and tactical understanding are fundamental to Palace’s 3-4-3 formation – only Liverpool and Arsenal have conceded fewer goals. “If you define a profile who fits the Premier League, it is Daniel Muñoz,” said Oliver Glasner after his player’s sublime goal at Fulham last month to finish off a lung-busting, box-to-box move.
Centre-back: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
The best centre-back in the world, and it’s not even close. Van Dijk can do it all: dominant in both boxes and a supreme one-on-one defender, the 33-year-old also has top-tier passing and anticipation. The Dutchman is a leader and quarterback for his compatriot, Arne Slot – nobody has made more passes or touches in the Premier League this season. “No one is better than him in this position,” his teammate Ibrahima Konaté said in January. “I just want to be better than him one day.”
Centre-back: Nikola Milenkovic (Nottingham Forest)
There’s room for only one Forest centre-back and Nikola Milenkovic – nicknamed the Serbinator – just edges out his teammate Murillo (and Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen). Last season, Forest conceded a league-high 23 goals from set pieces but Milenkovic’s aerial dominance during this campaign has been a huge reason why Forest are able to sit deep and absorb pressure and crosses before springing out on the counterattack. Milenkovic’s four goals, including two headers in the narrow wins over Manchester United and Aston Villa, have also proved crucial since his £12m summer move from Fiorentina.
Left-back: Antonee Robinson (Fulham)
Robinson’s 10 assists – only Mohamed Salah has more – have made him one of the league’s brightest performers. Marco Silva’s midfield became more defensive as the manager looked to make up for João Palhinha’s departure for Bayern Munich, which has given Robinson more licence to bomb on with his electric pace and much-improved crossing. Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez can count himself unlucky to miss out to the USA international. Both are being linked with Liverpool – the city Robinson says “all my friends and family are from” after he grew up in Everton’s academy.
Central midfield: Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)
In a dismal season for United, Fernandes has been one of the few bright spots. Ruben Amorim’s captain has worn criticism throughout his United career but only Kevin De Bruyne (90) has more assists across all competitions in Europe’s top five leagues than Fernandes (80) since the Portuguese joined United in 2020. Fernandes has eight goals and nine assists this season but what is less noticed is his effectiveness in deeper areas. Only Ryan Christie and Moisés Caicedo have more ball recoveries than Fernandes, who also leads the league (by a distance) in progressive passes (231).
Central midfield: Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool)
Gravenberch has epitomised the Slot revolution and provides much-needed balance in this midfield. Underwhelming under Jürgen Klopp, Gravenberch has shone as a mobile, silky, powerful No 6 able to pick a pass, carry the ball through midfield and cover ground defensively to stop opposition attacks – nobody in the league has made more interceptions (50). Liverpool’s failure to convince Martín Zubimendi to leave Real Sociedad turned out to be a blessing for Slot.
Attacking midfield: Cole Palmer (Chelsea)
Form and fitness have abandoned Chelsea’s talisman in recent weeks, but 14 goals and six assists are still ridiculous for a midfielder in March, even one who hasn’t scored in 10 games. Palmer made history against Brighton in September as the first Premier League player to score four goals in one half, but the way he has constantly linked play for Chelsea has been almost as impressive. Don’t forget " target="_blank" class="link"> that ball to set up Chelsea’s opener against Newcastle, surely the pass of the season so far. Palmer oozes class.
Left-wing: Matheus Cunha (Wolves)
Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo and Justin Kluivert were contenders but the 13 goals and four assists Cunha has registered for a poor, relegation-battling team move the Brazilian into this XI. Disciplinary problems and body language aside, Cunha has been sensational for Wolves, who would be in the bottom three without him.
Striker: Chris Wood (Nottingham Forest)
No centre-forward has had a bigger impact on their side’s fortunes this season than Wood. Forest create far fewer big chances than their top-four rivals – the club are 10th in the Premier League for that metric, just above Everton – yet Wood’s clinical finishing to net 18 goals – scoring 34% of his chances and outperforming his xG by a league-high seven goals – means Nuno Espírito Santo’s side are edging towards a shock Champions League qualification.
Right-wing: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Well clear at the top of the scoring (27 goals) and assist charts (17), Salah is the first name on the team sheet as he spearheads Liverpool’s title charge and puts himself into Ballon d’Or contention. He is on course to smash the Premier League record of 47 goal involvements, jointly held by Andy Cole and Alan Shearer from 42-game seasons. It seems preposterous that Liverpool could lose him for free this summer.
Manager: Nuno Espírito Santo (Nottingham Forest)
Replacing a club managerial legend is not easy: just ask David Moyes (at Manchester United) and Unai Emery (at Arsenal). Where those two failed, Slot has succeeded and he should be lauded for leading Liverpool to the verge of the title. But Liverpool’s success cannot compare with Nottingham Forest’s remarkable improvement: 17th last season, now third. Only one player last summer cost more than £13m, yet Nuno has brought the best out of every squad member and has a clear tactical identity. The Champions League (and possible FA Cup glory) beckons.
