Mark Goldbridge: five Arsenal stars, two Tottenham players but none from Manchester City in my Team of the Season

By premiernews On Apr 19, 2024

Manchester City currently top the Premier League, but none of their stars make Mark Goldbridge's Team of the Season.

With just a month of high level action It remains to be played, clubs and players will give the final push to achieve their respective goals.

Arsenal are second in the league and their players make up the majority of Goldbridge's XICredit: Getty

Several stars have been consistently at the top of their game, others have also emerged as surprise packages during what has been a thoroughly enjoyable season.

talk SPORT golden bridge has named its Team of the Season and is Arsenal who dominate their selections, without city of manchester players who make the cut despite being at the top.

He said: “I want to do this a little bit differently to a combined Premier League XI title race, because I want to give it to players who I think have exceeded expectations and been really good.”

Starting with his goalkeeper, he said: “I'm tempted to say (Guglielmo) Vicario in goal. Alisson is very obvious but he's had an injury and is the best goalkeeper in the world, while I think Vicario deserves it.

READ MORE ABOUT MARK GOLDBRIDGE

“Yes, he's been a bit shaky in the crosses, but Spurs are fifth in the league, they'll probably finish fourth, which is surprising. He's made some great saves and appeared out of nowhere, so Vicario for me.”

At full-back, Goldbridge said: “I would put Ben White at right-back. I think Trent (Alexander-Arnold) is a better right-back, but throughout the season I think Ben White has flown under the radar of a lot of people.” . , it has been absolutely incredible.

“I think (the left-back) would have to be, for me, (Destiny) Udogie at Spurs. When I saw him against Chelsea and he got the second yellow card, I thought: 'Here we go, Spurs have bought another one.'” Player undisciplined and inconsistent.' But he's actually been very consistent and he's been a huge part of the Spurs' success this season.”

“I think since it's a partnership, I wanted a partnership, so I'm going to go with Gabriel and (William) Saliba,” he said of his centre-back options.

Vicario and Udogie are Tottenham's representatives in the teamCredit: Getty

Gabriel, Saliba and White are part of a solid defenseCredit: Getty

“Saliba obviously gets a lot of plaudits as a fantastic world-class European centre-back, he's moving in that area.

“Gabriel, I think if you talk to Arsenal fans, they would say that in some ways he has had a better season. He is a goal threat, he is making the most of his abilities. I think he deserves to play alongside Saliba.”

Mark Goldbridge names his combined XI in title race with stars from Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool

When selecting his midfield, Goldbridge said: “I would start with Declan Rice as a holding midfielder. Although I think Rodri is better, I think they bought him for £100m and how good Arsenal have been, you have to give them credit for that.” that in a team of the season.

“So Declan Rice would be the kind of number 6, number 8. I would use (Alexis) Mac Allister, although I think he is suitable a little deeper, he can play that role. He has scored some important goals, I think he is a signing of the season.

“And then I would probably leave the number 10, it wouldn't be (Kevin) De Bruyne because he's been out for a long time, so it would have to be Foden or Cole Palmer for that position.

“I think Palmer from Manchester City to Chelsea has been brilliant. In a terrible Chelsea team, he has been incredible. At such a young age, to come to London from Man City and deliver the way he has consistently done, the mentality on young shoulders.”

Rice has been excellent for Arsenal since his summer transfer from West Ham.Credit: AFP

Mac Allister scored some vital goals for Liverpool in his debut seasonCredit: AFP

Palmer has contributed an astonishing 29 league goals for Chelsea.Credit: Getty

And about his front three, Goldbridge said: “I think (Bukayo) Saka, (Mohamed) Salah and (Erling) Haaland are the best three in the Premier League as a front three, but do they deserve to be in a top team?

“I don't think they will. So I'm going to go with Anthony Gordon on the left. I think he's had an incredible season with Newcastle and he really justified that price tag which I thought was excessive. In a poor Newcastle team I think his numbers have been fantastic.

“I think Ollie Watkins has to be there, goals and assists all season for Aston Villa and they are in a race for the Champions League. He can score and also provide, I think he is only behind Salah in relation to that, so I put Watkins in there.

Newcastle's Gordon has become one of the best wingers of the campaign.Credit: Getty

Watkins' goal against Arsenal places him in 19th place in the top flightCredit: Getty

Saka has 14 goals and eight assists in the league this seasonCredit: Getty

“And then the right is probably the toughest of all because you could make a case for Jarrod Bowen. You could certainly make an outside case for someone like (Alejandro) Garnacho, but I still think it has to be Saka in that spot.” .

“I'm going to put Saka in there because people still think he hasn't had a good season with Arsenal… He's had a couple of falls, but I still think he's had a very good season with Arsenal.”

Arsenal therefore have five players in the XI with Spurs taking up two of the places, with the others all coming from Liverpool, Chelsea, Newcastle and Aston Villa.

The selections will be subject to extensive debate, but there is no doubt that the Goldbridge team is packed with talent.

Here's how Goldbridge's Team of the Season could line up... — Here's how Goldbridge's Team of the Season could line up…

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