European Team of the Season: CB – Salif Sane (Hannover)

Hannover defender Salif Sane has secured a place at centre-back in the WhoScored Team of the Season in Europe's top five leagues.

The 27-year-old has been immense for Hannover this season despite the fact their form tailed off hugely in the last three months of the campaign.

Despite Hannover’s struggles in the second half of the season, Sane flourished and has secured a summer move to Schalke, where he will link up with Naldo.

Not only did Sane performed well in defence but the Senegal international was a real threat in the oppositions penalty area, netting four times in the league.

Sane completed the most clearances (232) and won the most aerial duels (181) in the Bundesliga this season, while Naldo finished second in both categories.

With both in defence next season, Schalke will hope to gel together a monstrous partnership at the back.

Therefore, Sane won 80.4% of the aerial duels he contested in the league this season. Of players that attempted at least 50 aerial duels in Europe’s top five leagues, only Sevilla midfielder Steven N’Zonzi (81.1%) has a better success rate.