We are about to say goodbye to the year of 2024 – and what a year it was in the Premier League!
With 2025 now just days away, it is time to look back on the top performers in the English top flight over the past 12 months.
Here is NetBet’s best Premier League XI for 2024…
Goalkeeper: David Raya (Arsenal)
After a shaky start to his Arsenal career, Raya has now established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
Among the very best with the ball at his feet, the Spaniard is also a fantastic shot stopper and won the Premier League’s Golden Glove award for 2023-24.
Right-back: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)
Arsenal’s Ben White was a close second here, but in the end we simply had to opt for Alexander-Arnold – who is arguably the world’s best in his position these days.
The Englishman seems to get better with each passing season thanks to his unique creative skills and he has been a key contributor to Arne Slot’s successful start on Merseyside.
Centre-back: William Saliba (Arsenal)
It is getting to the point where football fans are stunned when Saliba turns in an average performance.
The 23-year-old is the hallmark of consistency and a real leader in Mikel Arteta’s young Arsenal side, one who is only going to get better and better.
Centre-back: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
Yes, he is still the best centre-back in the world, evidenced by his stellar displays throughout the whole of 2024.
And this season, Van Dijk appears to have taken his game to another level, combining the class of a midfield playmaker with world-class defensive skills. A unique and fantastic footballer.
Left-back: Marc Cucurella (Chelsea)
We were not exactly spoilt for choice in the left-back department, so the ever-improving Cucurella gets the nod.
The Euro 2024 winner has gone from flirting with the Stamford Bridge exit door to a mainstay in Enzo Maresca’s XI – and that certainly deserves recognition.
Centre-mid: Rodri (Manchester City)
Yes, Rodri missed the last few months of 2024 with a serious knee injury, but he still has to be included.
The Ballon d’Or winner was instrumental in City’s devastating run at the end of 2023-24, which saw them pip Arsenal to the title. Rodri finished that season with eight goals and nine assists, ridiculous numbers for a defensive-minded midfielder.
Centre-mid: Martin Odegaard (Arsenal)
There was plenty of competition for this position (Declan Rice, Alexis Mac Allister etc.), but Odegaard is certainly worthy of the spot, as it is rare you see a silky playmaker who makes his team tick and also presses like a madman.
Watching Arsenal struggle to build attacks during his recent injury absence was telling and highlighted what a ridiculously good footballer he has become.
Right-wing: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Remember when Salah was labelled a ‘one season wonder’?
The Egyptian King is still showing no signs of slowing down and if anything, he has improved under the tutelage of Slot. Right now, there is no footballer on the planet better than Salah and if continues his current form, he will be the frontrunner in the Ballon d’Or conversation.
Attacking-mid: Cole Palmer (Chelsea)
Palmer’s evolution from a City squad player to Chelsea’s main man has been quite amazing to watch.
He scores goals like a striker, assists like a playmaker and controls games like a No8. Oh and he is also already among the greatest penalty takers the division has ever seen!
Left-wing: Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
Okay, we have been a bit cheeky here, as Saka occupies the right-wing position for Arsenal. But how could we leave him out?!
It is rare a game goes by in which Saka does not contribute and this season, he is chasing down the Premier League’s record for assists in a single campaign.
Striker: Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
To be honest, 2024 has been far from Haaland’s finest year as a footballer, yet he has still been brilliant and deserving of a place in this XI at the expense of Newcastle’s Alexander Isak and Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins.
The Norwegian won the 2023-24 Golden Boot with 27 goals and only a fool would bet against him winning a third award on the trot.
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