make the annual top XI of the Premier League season
was Cameroon right-back Lauren, who made the team
in 2004 on the back of Arsenal’s remarkable Invincibles
season. The Gunners romped to the title without losing a
match, and six of Arsene Wenger’s side made the team
of the season, with Lauren joined in the defence by Sol
Campbell and Ashley Cole.
2006-07 Didier Drogba, Chelsea: First impressions of
Drogba in English football weren’t the best, as the
forward too often resorted to simulation, cheating and
petulance in order to gain an advantage, particularly
when things didn’t go his way. However, under the
tutelage of Jose Mourinho, he steadily became a
hardened winner. After scoring 22 goals over his first
as the Pensioners finished second in the
league and won a cup double—that he became world
class.
2007-08 Emmanuel Adebayor, Arsenal: Ade made the
Team of the Year in 2008 after a superb goalscoring
campaign for Arsenal, where he scored 24 goals—
improving significantly on his return of eight the
previous season. The Togo frontman hasn’t really come
close to matching that tally in subsequent seasons,
although he did hit 17 in his maiden year at Tottenham
Hotspur.
2009-10 Didier Drogba, Chelsea: Drogba returned to the
Team of the Season in 2010 when he enjoyed his most
productive campaign in West London. He scored an
astonishing 29 goals in 32 league outings—a
remarkably consistent return—while he also contributed
10 assists as Carlo Ancelotti’s side pipped Manchester
United to the title by one point. The West African also
clinched the Golden Boot.
2011-12 Yaya Toure, Manchester City: The Ivorian’s
first appearance in the PFA’s select XI came in 2012—
his second season in England. The West African would
later top his return of six goals and six assists, but he
left a lasting impression with a series of emphatic,
inspiration performances as City clinched a maiden
Premier League title.
2013-14 Yaya Toure, Manchester City: Toure’s second
appearance in the PFA Team of the Season came in
2014, when he was picked among the division’s elite
after winning his second Premier League title with City.
It was perhaps the finest year of the powerhouse’s
career, as he contributed nine assists and became only
the second midfielder after Frank Lampard to score 20
goals in a single league season.
2015-16 Riyad Mahrez, Leicester City: Mahrez was a
shoo-in for last year’s award after he inspired the Foxes
to a miraculous title triumph, with the East Midlanders
having been tipped for relegation ahead of the season.
The Algeria international scored 17 goals and
contributed 11 assists during an outstanding campaign
en route to clinching a swathe of individual honours,
although he’s fallen well short of those standards this
term.
2016-17 Sadio Mane, Liverpool: Despite being
overlooked for the six-man shortlist for the PFA Player
of the Year award, Mane made the cut for the team of the
season after an outstanding maiden campaign for
Liverpool. He was absent for a spell during the Nations
Cup, while his campaign has been curtailed by injury,
yet Mane has earned his spot after scoring 13 goals and
contributing five assists for Jurgen Klopp’s side.
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