As the curtain closes on another season of the Premier League, it’s time for the yearly tradition, it’s time for the Team of The Season.
Pundits, journalists, fans, and even EA Sports, all get in on the action and create an XI comprising their picks for the best in the league this season.
To nobody’s surprise, the majority of the spots have been taken over by the 2 best teams, Liverpool and Manchester City, players from both sides feature heavily in almost everyone’s team.
And since both teams consist of world-class players in almost every position, there’s plenty of debate regarding who deserves it more. Such was the case for Gary Neville’s ‘TOTS’, as one of his picks led to plenty of backlashes online.
The former United player’s team included the likes of Mo Salah, Harry Kane, Virgil van Dijk etc, however, there was a rather peculiar choice at right-back.
Both players can easily be classified as ‘world class’, however, TAA has been a class apart from every other fullback this season.
Boasting 12 assists in 31 league appearances, the 23-year-old has even earned nominations for Player of the Season, and Young player of the season.
Neville explained his choice and said, “I think [Walker] has had an unbelievable season and when he doesn’t play City miss him lots. City’s defensive record is as good as Liverpool’s. That right-hand side of City’s defence and left-hand side of Liverpool’s defence are absolutely brilliant and that’s why I have split the defence, basically. I think Kyle Walker and Dias are a better right-hand side.”
Fans online found his reasoning to be unsatisfactory, and a barrage of trolling followed.
2 years on the bounce Neville has put Walker in his TOTS. Criminal.
Walker has played 19 90 minute games this season, hasnt touched a pitch in 6 weeks yet he's in Neville's TOTY 😂😂😂 His argument was that he'd pick him in a starting 11 vs vinicius and benzema ????? ITS A TEAM OF THE *SEASON*
🎩 Trent Alexander-Arnold has played a direct hand in more Premier League goals this season (14 in 31 apps) than Kyle Walker has over the last four seasons combined (11 in 138 apps) pic.twitter.com/exlxVvZTVd
Used to actually rate Neville as a pundit years ago, to see him pick walker and dias yesterday in his team of the season just shows he doesnt really watch much football these days
The kid could easily go down in history as the most influential, most successful and most game-changing fullback ever & English pundits and coaches are like 'But Kyle Walker is DEAD FAST on the cover you know!'
It’s extremely likely that Alexander Arnold will eventually feature in the official Team Of the Season, and perhaps a potential quadruple will change Neville’s mind later on.
