To build a general shortlist for this ultimate squad, we have explored a handful of sources, such as Ladbrokes and Football 365, that have produced their own "Best XI" squad for the 2023/24 season. Names mentioned by every source, such as the obvious Erling Håland, are automatically selected for this definitive MyShoeCents starting XI. This list is strictly stats-based, combining all relevant factors from matches played and eliminating biases.
Before announcing the chosen eleven players and five substitutes, here is the full list of shortlisted players:
Goalkeepers: Allison, Jordan Pickford, Alphonse Areola.
Defenders: Virgil van Dijk, William Saliba, Gabriel, Ben White, Pervis Estupiñán, Kieran Trippier, James Tarkowski, Andy Robertson.
Midfielders: Kevin De Bruyne, Declan Rice, Rodri, Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, Alexis Mac Allister, Martin Ødegaard.
Attackers: Erling Håland, Mohamed Salah, Bukayo Saka, Son Heung-min, Luis Díaz, Ollie Watkins, Alejandro Garnacho, Christopher Nkunku.
STARTING XI
In between the sticks for this fantasy lineup is West Ham United's Alphonse Areola, the stats-proven best shot-stopper in England's top flight.
Earning this list's "Safest Hands" title, Areola has a save percentage of 75.8 and an average form of 7.33; both greater stats than Alisson and Jordan Pickford.
Like Alphonse, you can make a great choice for the perfect all-rounder football boot: the Nike Phantom GX II. This revolutionary design features a Gripknit strike zone perfect for a silky-smooth touch to the ball, a Cyclone 360 stud pattern design for agile movements with reduced rotational traction, and a Flyknit collar for a comfortably snug playing experience.
With this season's record for the most clean sheets and the highest pass accuracy of all shortlisted players, Arsenal's William Saliba comfortably makes it into the defence of this season's ultimate Premier League XI while earning the "Best Passer" title.
The Nike Tiempo Legend 10 Emerald not only represents his classy play style, it celebrates 30 years of Tiempo. Combining classic elements of the model and futuristic textures, the Legend 10 appreciates nostalgia while emphasizing technological advancements such as the FlyTouch Plus engineered leather upper that molds to your foot for a truly secure feel and ACC for all-weather performance.
Despite sitting out for most of the Premier League season due to injury, Kieran Trippier has outperformed many fit defenders with some seriously impressive numbers.
Of all the shortlisted players, Trippier has the greatest number of assists and most tackles completed. Compared with all shortlisted defenders, he has the most dribbles completed and the second-highest average form. As a highly gifted defender with a knack for goal contributions for club and country, KT takes the list's "Top Assister" title.
Playing in the Adidas X Crazyfast+, Kieran promotes a sustainable football boot which contains at least 20% recycled content. This model is built with a highly advanced Aeropacity Speedskin and features a classic lace closure, a secure carbon heel lock, and a comfortable Primeknit collar. Everything about this model screams speed.
Here's Gabriel Magalhães, the shot-blocking, clean sheet-keeping, goal-scoring defensive powerhouse of Arsenal. Maintaining consistent results for the Premier League title contenders, he's this list's "Best Defender".
Although a close relative of the previously-mentioned football boot model, Gabriel's Adidas X Crazyfast LL is the first laceless construction to feature on this list. This modern design provides an unobstructed touch zone; highly beneficial for a clean strike or pass.
Having completed the defensive three, we're starting the midfield squad with the highly experienced Rodri of Manchester City.
With an average form of 8.00, he's the "Most Consistent" out of all shortlisted players and, with a pass completion rate of 91.9%, he also has the highest pass accuracy out of all the featured outfield 14.
Throughout the season, Rodri has been wearing the sleek and powerful Nike Phantom GX DF; representative of his unique play style. These weather-resistant and Gripknit-wrapped boots with mixed-shape studs are perfect for the unpredictable-yet-common rainy fixtures of English football.
Who other than Declan Rice to fill the CDM position?
With the most appearances and interceptions out of all listed players, and the second-highest pass accuracy of all shortlisted midfielders, Rice is the true backbone of Arsenal FC and easily the "Most Reliable" of this XI.
As a traditional player with traditional taste, his boot choice is the Adidas Copa Pure 2+ which features a standard lace closure, a lightweight Fusionskin upper with leather forefoot, and a comfortably snug Primeknit collar.
Filling a vital role for the London Reds and the RCM position of this XI is a truly naturally gifted passer of the ball, Martin Ødegaard.
Whether you are an Arsenal fan, a rival, or a neutral; we can all agree there's no surprise the Norwegian makes it into this best XI. As the "Captain" for the Gunners, the experienced midfielder also fills the role for this list.
Martin's choice of footwear throughout this 23/24 season is the Nike Mercurial Vapor 15 which offers combined pace, comfort, and feel for the ball unlike any other. With a football-specific 3/4 length Zoom Air unit, speed cage, and tri-star studs, this Nike model is the peak of elite-level football boots.
Filling our CAM role is Manchester City's Phil Foden.
Out of all the listed players, he has scored the most freekicks this Premier League season and so earns the "Elected Free-Kick Taker" role, but this is not his only ability. Compared to all shortlisted midfielders, he has scored the second-highest number of goals and made the second-highest number of crosses, however, out of all shortlisted players, he also ranks first for the number of dribbles completed.
There's no denying Foden is a generational talent. His super loud and electric football boots, the Nike Phantom GX SE, go hand in hand with his play style.
Playing in our LF role, we have Son Heung-min of Tottenham Hotspur who we're also naming this list's "Biggest Attacking Threat".
Son has been wearing the Adidas X Crazyfast LL model throughout the Premier League season. With the three stripes on his feet, he's picked up some inspiring stats from attacking positions.
Amassing the second-highest number of assists compared with all listed attackers, having the second-highest pass accuracy of all listed attackers, second-best penalty conversion of all listed attackers, the second-highest number of dribbles completed of all listed attackers, and the second-highest average form of all listed attackers, Son is a workhorse that never stops running.
At the heart of the attack, we're going for Erling Håland- the goalscoring mastermind behind Manchester City's recent success.
As the Premier League's "Top Scorer", he also averages the highest number of shots per game compared to all listed attackers.
His impact on Premier League football has been immense and, aware of his crazy talent, Nike has released a signature Nike Phantom GX 2 Erling Haaland Force9 which not only looks incredible but also features some revolutionary materials such as the micro-moulded Nike Gripknit, all while taking inspiration from Erling's home nation, Norway and its traditional costumes worn during Constitution Day.
Hale End graduate, FA Cup winner and England forward, Bukayo Saka, fills the RF position of this ultimate XI.
Having the second-highest number of assists as an attacker, the highest pass accuracy of all listed attackers, this list's best penalty conversion, the greatest number of dribbles completed of all shortlisted players, the greatest average form as an attacker, and the second-highest number of appearances of all listed attackers, Bukayo is one of the best in the world and rightfully claims this list's "Most Agile" title.
Not only has Arsenal's Number 7 made a great impact on his club, but his influence off the pitch has built popularity for New Balance's football lines. Wearing the New Balance Furon v7+, his footwear promises optimal comfort, an enhanced strike zone, and fantastic breathability.
SUBSTITUTES
With a marginally lower save percentage and a lower average form than Areola, Alisson's decent clean sheet record this season and Liverpool's long-lasted title charge prove he's still one of the best keepers in the world.
The Nike Tiempo Legend 10 has been his boot of choice and it's a fantastic all-weather appropriate and lightweight Tiempo model modernised for the ever-growing high demands of the sport.
Ollie Watkins. What a player. Taking the number 11 role for Unai Emery's Aston Villa, amassing the most assists of all shortlisted players, scoring the second-highest number of goals and making the most appearances out of all shortlisted attackers, and being a huge catalyst for their first entry into Europe's most elite club competition since 1983, Watkins will go down in The Lions' history.
Playing in the Nike Phantom GX, his silky touch can be credited to Gripknit technology- not only his many years in the English top flight.
Our backup midfielder is Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City. While often considered the best in the world, KDB hasn't had quite the season many of us were expecting due to injury. Although playing only half of the games this Premier League season, he's still managed to complete more crosses than all shortlisted players and has the second-highest number of assists of all shortlisted midfielders.
His boot of choice, the Nike Phantom Luna II, is arguably one of the cleanest designs from the brand. Combining a Gripknit upper, Cyclone 360 stud pattern, Flyknit collar, and Anti-Clog Traction on the soleplate, it's also one of Nike's most technologically advanced models ever.
Where would Chelsea be without Cole Palmer? Bringing his attacking prowess from his former side, Manchester City, he's this Premier League season's top-scoring midfielder, top assister of all shortlisted midfielders, and, out of all shortlisted midfielders has also completed the second-highest number of dribbles.
Palmer, like another great midfielder, Martin Ødegaard, wears the Nike Mercurial Vapor 15 which helps him make his famously explosive movements on and off the ball.
Not quite making this list's starting XI, James Tarkowski is still one of the five best defenders in the Premier League. Keeping Everton from being relegated, completing the second-highest number of tackles, blocking the most shots, and completing the second-highest number of dribbles out of all shortlisted defenders, James is the perfect all-rounded defender fit for any top-flight side.
His choice of footwear is the Adidas Predator, a model that has been evolving since the early 90's. This modern take on the classic silhouette is constructed with a Hybridtouch 2.0 forefoot upper, Strikeskin grip elements, and a sturdy Controlframe 2.0 outsole.
COOLEST BOOT
Worn by Phil Foden, this Nike Phantom GX SE in "Fuchsia Dream/Barely Grape" is something special and holds galactico-level energy, with very similar values to the Nike Mercurial Vapor IX CR7 "Galaxy" famously worn by Cristiano Ronaldo.
From the oil spill style sole plate to the lightning bolt elements on the heel, this Phantom colourway features uncommon hues and details that combine into one powerful design; far from generic.
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