Man City, Man Utd and surprise third team dominate Premier League 2020/21 Best XI
Another campaign drew to a close on Sunday as Manchester City were presented with their Premier League crown following their 5-0 win over Everton to round off the 2020/21 season. City, along with Manchester United and Aston Villa, have three players make the Premier League team of the season and are joined by representatives from Tottenham and Burnley.
Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa) - 7.00
An inspired signing by Aston Villa from Arsenal, Emiliano Martinez excelled between the sticks for the Villans this season, keeping 15 clean sheets, that the third best return. The Argentine dealt with the threat of opponents with ease, too, making the third most saves (141) as he worked hard for his clean sheets. A save success rate of 75.1% was the best in the division as Martinez landed a WhoScored rating of 7.00 and is the first of three Villa representatives.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka (Manchester United) - 7.15
The first of three Manchester United players to feature in the team of the season, Aaron Wan-Bissaka enjoyed his most prolific campaign to date as he scored two and provided for assists for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side. The right-back worked hard off the ball, as is to be expected, as he made more tackles and interceptions combined (150) than any other defender to contribute towards his WhoScored rating of 7.15.
James Tarkowski (Burnley) - 7.02
Joining Wan-Bissaka at the back is Burnley's James Tarkowski. The Clarets finished just above the relegation zone, but Sean Dyche's side would have endured a more tumultuous campaign were in not for Tarkowski's showings at the back. The proactive 28-year-old ranked third for clearances (159) and first for aerial duels won of defenders (165) to feature with a WhoScored rating of 7.02.
Harry Maguire (Manchester United) - 7.04
Partnering Tarkowski at the back is compatriot Harry Maguire. The Manchester United captain was dominant in the air for the Europa League finalists' with an aerial success rate of 75.8% the best of those to contest 100 or more headed battles in 2020/21. An additional two goals and one assist helped the England international to a spot in the side with a WhoScored rating of 7.04.
Joao Cancelo (Manchester City) - 7.31
Champions Manchester City have three players feature in the team of the season, with Joao Cancelo the first Cityzens representative in the XI. After an indifferent debut campaign with City, the Portuguese full-back excelled in his second season at the Etihad Stadium as he ended 2020/21 with a WhoScored rating of 7.31. 2.7 tackles per 90 was one of the better returns in the division to justify Cancelo's inclusion.
Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City) - 7.31
Continuing the City theme, Riyad Mahrez played a key role in their title success as he scored nine and laid on a further six assists. Two key passes per 90 and 2.1 dribbles per 90 were both solid returns for the Algerian, who was routinely superb coming off the right flank for Pep Guardiola's side to help yield a WhoScored rating of 7.31.
Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) - 7.65
Rounding off the City trio is maestro Kevin De Bruyne. Injury restricted the Belgian to just 23 league starts this season, but the Belgian maximised his time on the pitch, finishing joint-second for assists (12), second for clear-cut chances created (19) and fourth for key passes (80) as he landed a WhoScored rating of 7.65.
Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United) - 7.43
Featuring alongside De Bruyne in the middle of the park is Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes. The Portugual international was one of three players to finish the campaign with double figures for both goals (18) and assists (12) with the latter coming from 95 key passes, more than any other player. Fernandes also created more big chances (20) than any other Premier League player as he stars with a WhoScored rating of 7.43.
Jack Grealish (Aston Villa) - 7.56
Aston Villa's win ratio dropped from 54.2% to 21.4% in the 14 games Jack Grealish didn't start this season. Despite missing such a huge chunk of the campaign through injury, Grealish finished the season third for key passes (81) and was one of five players to reach double figures for assists (10). The England international was routinely targetted by opponents as he was fouled more times (110) than any other player to make the side with a WhoScored rating of 7.56.
With a WhoScored rating of 7.79, Harry Kane is our Premier League player of the season. Kane scored more goals (23) and registered more assists (14) than any other player in 2020/21, becoming the first player to finish clear for both since Andy Cole in 1993/94. The Tottenham striker also won more WhoScored man of the match awards (13) to cap a stunning individual season.
Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa) - 7.18
Completing the team of the season is Aston Villa hitman Ollie Watkins. The 25-year-old enjoyed a superb debut campaign with the Villans following his arrival from Brentford as he scored 14 and provided five assists for Dean Smith's side. Watkins was unfortunate not to finish the campaign with more goals than he did as he struck the woodwork seven times - only Kane (9) did so more - as he partners his England teammate on the frontline with a WhoScored rating of 7.18.
