Erling Haaland leads the Premier League scoring charts again, but that’s not enough to make Danny Murphy’s Team of the Season.
The Manchester City striker extended his tally to 27 goals in the top-flight this season in their crucial 2-0 win over Tottenham to put them top, and in the title race box seat ahead of the final day.
Haaland remains one of the most clinical forwards in world football but despite his quality the Norwegian doesn’t make Murphy’s best XI, with Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins the chosen man up front instead.
The former Liverpool midfielder was asked to name his Premier League Team of the Season on White and Jordan and when selecting his striker, he said: “I’ve gone for Watkins up top.
“Just because Haaland has done what we expect him to do, Watkins has actually got 27 goals in 52 games this season, 19 in the Prem, 13 assists, and hit heights I didn’t think he could, and arguably the main reason why Villa are in the Champions League spots, him.”
“You’re not including Haaland?” host Jim White asked, and Murphy explained: “No, because he’s missed a big chunk of the season, Watkins throughout the season has had a bigger impact.
“Not scored as many goals and if you said to me, ‘If you were manager, who would you have tomorrow?’ I’d have Haaland, because Haaland is the best forward in the world. But I’m not picking who’s the best player, I’m picking who’s had the best season.”
He added: “Throughout the whole season, [Watkins] he’s been more impactful on Villa’s season than Haaland has on City’s. Haaland hasn’t scored as many as last season but City are still winning anyway, they still won games every week when he wasn’t there for three months.”
“Yes but they’ve won games without him,” he reiterated when Simon Jordan referred to his goals against Spurs and when asked if Villa didn’t win any games without Watkins, he replied: “Well I don’t think he missed many.”
Murphy also revealed his full team for the 2023/24 campaign, with all the players included coming from sides in the top seven of the table.
“It’s a mixed bag, there’s always going to be people you leave out and other people listening will go, ‘He should have got in and he shouldn’t have got in.’ I’ve gone with [Emiliano] Martinez in goal from Villa, I think he’s been a huge reason for their success, he’s been outstanding,” Murphy added.
“I’ve actually gone in a back four, I’ve gone for Ben White at right-back, a lot of my picks are players who’ve played nearly all the season and consistently well, not just moments. I think he’s been terrific, that link-up with [Bukayo] Saka.
“Left-back, I think [Destiny] Udogie for me, young lad brought in, first season in the Premier League at Tottenham. I know he’s been injured the last few weeks but overall his season has been terrific. Been a breath of fresh air, powerful, adventurous, skilful, can defend as well, quick.
“The two centre-halves, I thought the only one who came to mind who I think deserves a mention but didn’t get in was [Micky] Van de Ven, another one at Tottenham, first season has been good. But I’ve gone for [Virgil] Van Dijk and [William] Saliba, pretty easy to choose those two, been a cut above the others.
“[Van Dijk has] been outstanding, absolutely outstanding, big reason why Liverpool have been able to even mount a charge [for the title], get to the point in the season where they were still in it, he’s been outstanding.
“So I’ve gone for [Declan] Rice and Rodri [in midfield], I mean anyone who doubts those two just, please. The only one who deserves a mention, probably Douglas Luiz at Villa, I think he’s been outstanding.
“Just ahead of them I’ve gone for [Martin] Odegaard because of his consistency throughout the season, I think he’s been pivotal in Arsenal’s challenge. I know [Kevin] De Bruyne’s numbers are fantastic but he’s only played half the season.
“And don’t get me wrong, if you said to me, ‘Who would you rather have?’ I’d rather have De Bruyne. [Odegaard] has been pivotal to Arsenal’s success.
“Then I’ve got an English front three. [Cole] Palmer, Chelsea, outstanding, arguably the signing of the season, unbelievable, especially playing in the team, to shine like he has, incredible.
“I’ve gone for [Phil] Foden on the left, you can play him anywhere can’t you though? And then I’ve gone for Watkins up top.”
News Summary:
- Danny Murphy explains why Man City hero Erling Haaland does not make his Premier League Team of the Season
- Check all news and articles from the latest Football updates.