Liverpool creator-in-chief Trent stars in Premier League December Best XI
Bournemouth are the dominant side in the December team of the month with three Cherries players making the cut, while there are two Liverpool representatives in the XI. In addition, Burnley, Luton, West Ham, Brighton, Tottenham and Fulham also have players in the side as we run through the team in the full.
James Trafford (Burnley) - 7.54
The busiest goalkeeper in December features between the sticks. James Trafford made at least 12 more saves (37) in the Premier League last month to help Burnley win their second and third league games of the season. While the Clarets still struggled, Trafford earned a WhoScored rating of 7.54 for his performances.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool) - 8.04
No player created more goalscoring chances than Trent Alexander-Arnold (28), who also ranked top for accurate crosses (20), in December and that translated to two assists last month. The Liverpool right-back also won three player of the match awards and earned a WhoScored rating of 8.04, that better than any other player.
Marcos Senesi (Bournemouth) - 7.37
The first of three Bournemouth players in the XI, Marcos Senesi was unable to help his side to a win on the final day of 2023, but the Argentine was key as the Cherries pulled away from the relegation zone. Senesi was directly involved in three goals last month, scoring twice, and made a respectable 26 clearances to feature at the heart of the defence.
Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) - 7.48
The second Liverpool player in the side partners Senesi at the back. Virgil van Dijk scored his first league goal of the season last month, and won the second most aerial duels (29) in the division in December. The Reds also conceded fewer goals (5) than any other team with Van Dijk key to their solid defensive resolve.
Rounding off the backline is Luton's Alfie Doughty, who earned a WhoScored rating of 7.47 last month. Only two players registered more assists than Doughty (3) in the Premier League in December with the 24-year-old again impressing for the Hatters.
Mohammed Kudus (West Ham) - 7.77
Featuring on the right flank in the team of the month is West Ham star Mohammed Kudus. The Ghana star, like Trent Alexander-Arnold, also won three player of the match awards having scored the joint-third most goals (4) and completed more dribbles (24) than any other player in December to nail down his spot in the side.
Brighton's midfield star Pascal Groß makes the cut in the middle of the park having earned a WhoScored rating of 7.51 in December. The German was directly involved in four league goals last month, providing three assists in the process, with those three assists coming from 22 key passes, that ranking third in England's top tier.
Ryan Christie (Bournemouth) - 7.42
Ryan Christie has been key in Bournemouth's rise up the table as noted by two player of the match awards in December. Christie ranked fifth for tackles and interceptions combined (31) last month with his hard work off the ball ensuring the Cherries conceded just seven times.
Son Heung-Min (Tottenham) - 7.63
Son Heung-Min's form in the final third ensured Tottenham ended the month having scored more goals (17) than any other team in December. Indeed, Son was directly involved in more goals (8 - 4 goals, 4 assists) than any other player as Spurs managed to get their campaign back on track.
Dominic Solanke (Bournemouth) - 7.72
Featuring on the frontline is the third Bournemouth representative. Dominic Solanke scored more goals (6) than any other Premier League player in December to fire the Cherries away from danger. Those six goals came from 29 shots, also more than any other player, with Solanke on hand to return a WhoScored rating of 7.72.
Raul Jimenez endured a mixed December to say the least. The Mexican ended the month with four goals to his name, including the equaliser in Fulham's 2-1 win over Arsenal on New Year's Eve, but also received his first red card following his summer switch to the Cottagers. Either way, after a lengthy goal drought to kick off his career at Craven Cottage, Jimenez has found form to complete the December XI with a WhoScored rating of 7.56.
