First things first, if you’re looking for a genuine Premier League team of the season selection, this isn’t the place for you.
Monotony is the order of the day when it comes to that particular topic. Yes, Mo Salah is good. Indeed, Kevin De Bruyne can play football rather well. I agree, Virgil van Dijk is a strong defender.
Instead, choosing an alternative team of the season that won't be considered for the team of the season is a far more interesting task, especially if we use the in-depth data available.
With all that said, I might be breaking the rules of this game immediately.
Goalkeeper: José Sá (Wolves)
José Sá will likely be considered in some people's team of the season, but I’m sticking the Portuguese goalkeeper in because it shouldn’t even be close as to who has been the best stopper this term.
Wolves have understandably had little coverage in 2021/22, perhaps the low-scoring games they’re often involved in playing a part. Sá is the chief reason behind the fact that only Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea have conceded fewer goals than Wolves, though.
Based on post-shot expected goal (xG) figures, Sá has prevented an astounding 9.7 goals with the saves he’s made in the league, keeping 11 clean sheets along the way.
Andersen is undoubtedly a critical part behind the jump. He adds value going forward, too, recording three assists from 2.17 xA, which just edges him ahead of his Palace teammate.
Left-back: Marc Cucurella (Brighton)
Voted Players' and Supporters' Player of the Season at Brighton last week, Marc Cucurella went viral with his acceptance speech — apt given the Spaniard is all over the opposition like a rash.
Cucurella ranks second for tackles won in the Premier League this season (61), 14 of which have been in the third of the pitch that Brighton are attacking (ranking 8th).
Sitting in the high percentile for full-backs in both progressive passes (5.01) and progressive carries (6.02) per 90 minutes, Cucurella is a vital piece of Graham Potter's jigsaw on both sides of the ball.
Centre midfield: Christian Nørgaard (Brentford)
A rock at the base of brilliant Brentford's midfield, Christian Nørgaard fills up the stat sheet.
In ranking highly for midfielders in dribbles completed, progressive passes received and touches in the opposition penalty area, the pick of Gallagher is a no-brainer for this team.
If you're not convinced, perhaps the fun stat from FBRef that Dennis has recorded six more nutmegs (21) than any other player in the Premier League might lighten you up.
Striker: Ivan Toney (Brentford)
Hailed 'the world's best penalty taker' by his boss Thomas Frank, Ivan Toney is a solid choice to lead the line based solely on his efforts away from the spot.
If we're being picky, Toney's 0.26 non-penalty xG per average match could be higher, but his contribution elsewhere is colossal. He's registered five assists from 5.88 xA this season, and has been crucial in each box for Brentford, winning the fourth most aerial duels in the league (144) — a category mostly dominated by centre-backs.
In ranking highly among forwards in progressive passes, interceptions and clearances, Toney has displayed almost every trait required to be a huge handful up top.