Jamie Carragher’s recently unveiled Premier League Team of the Season sparked immediate debate, and perhaps a few frustrated sighs from Chelsea supporters. Remarkably, no Blues players earned a place in his selection, a clear indication of their challenging season thus far.
The omission wasn’t a dismissal of Chelsea’s talent entirely. Carragher openly admitted considering two players for inclusion, specifically highlighting the impressive form of Jurrien Timber and the versatility of Reece James, who has frequently featured in midfield. Ultimately, however, others edged them out.
Arsenal dominated Carragher’s picks with three representatives, showcasing their strong campaign. Crystal Palace and Sunderland each secured two spots, while Manchester United, Manchester City, Bournemouth, and Aston Villa all had a player recognized for their contributions.
Carragher’s midfield selection featured a compelling blend of experience and dynamism: Granit Xhaka of Sunderland, Arsenal’s Declan Rice, and Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes. The decision to exclude Moises Caicedo, despite his solid performances for Chelsea, was particularly difficult.
“I just felt the impact of Xhaka this season has been the biggest impact of a signing or effect on a team,” Carragher explained. “He’s so important to Sunderland, he had to be in the team.” He acknowledged Caicedo’s quality but ultimately prioritized an attacking presence in midfield with Fernandes.
Up front, Erling Haaland unsurprisingly led the line, his prolific goalscoring form making him a standout candidate for Player of the Year. Alongside him, Antoine Semenyo and Morgan Rogers provided attacking width, completing a potent forward line.
When pressed for his Player of the Year pick at the season’s midpoint, Carragher narrowed it down to a compelling two-horse race. “Haaland, Declan Rice, they’d be certainly the two that would stand out right away,” he stated, acknowledging Rogers as a close contender.
Haaland’s remarkable tally of 19 goals in 17 Premier League games positions him as the clear frontrunner for both the Golden Boot and the individual accolades. The chase is on, but overcoming Haaland’s current form appears a daunting task for his rivals.
Carragher’s team reflects a season of surprising performances and emerging stars. While Chelsea fans may feel overlooked, the selections highlight the depth of talent and competitive spirit currently defining the Premier League.
The full team consists of: Robin Roefs (Sunderland) in goal; Daniel Munoz (Crystal Palace) and Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace) at full-back and center-back respectively; Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal) alongside Guehi in central defense; Declan Rice (Arsenal), Granit Xhaka (Sunderland), and Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United) in midfield; and Erling Haaland (Manchester City), Antoine Semenyo (Bournemouth), and Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa) leading the attack.
