Paul Wilson's Premier League team of the season – in pictures

With the PFA holding its awards ceremony on Sunday, the Observer’s football correspondent selects his Premier League XI of 2014-15

  • Goalkeeper - David de Gea

    Has been consistently excellent all season which is not something that could be said of many Manchester United players. Might not be that far ahead of Thibaut Courtois or Joe Hart – it was suggested on these pages a couple of weeks ago that De Gea is not even the best goalkeeper in Manchester – but has been given plenty of practice this season and come through the storm well enough to impress Real Madrid.
    Goalkeeper David de Gea. Has been consistently excellent all season which is not something that could be said of many Manchester United players. Might not be that far ahead of Thibaut Courtois or Joe Hart – it was suggested on these pages a couple of weeks ago that De Gea is not even the best goalkeeper in Manchester – but has been given plenty of practice this season and come through the storm well enough to impress Real Madrid.

  • Right-back - Nathaniel Clyne

    All happening now for the 24-year-old Southampton full-back who looks good enough to be an England fixture for the foreseeable future and is bound to be the subject of big-money offers this summer. Just gets in ahead of the splendidly consistent Branislav Ivanovic and Pablo Zabaleta because this has been Clyne’s breakthrough season. Antonio Valencia is worth a mention too, although mostly in an attacking capacity.
    Right-back - Nathaniel Clyne. All happening now for the 24-year-old Southampton full-back who looks good enough to be an England fixture for the foreseeable future and is bound to be the subject of big-money offers this summer. Just gets in ahead of the splendidly consistent Branislav Ivanovic and Pablo Zabaleta because this has been Clyne’s breakthrough season. Antonio Valencia is worth a mention too, although mostly in an attacking capacity.

  • Centre-half - José Fonte

    Ivanovic has a claim on this position too, but Fonte deserves it because Southampton’s defence has been superbly stingy all season. Fonte cost the Saints £1m but looks worth much more now. Southampton have certainly not missed Dejan Lovren. Not wholly convinced by Arsenal’s centre-backs yet but they look solid next to some of the defending on offer in Merseyside and Manchester this season.
    Centre-half - José Fonte. Ivanovic has a claim on this position too, but Fonte deserves it because Southampton’s defence has been superbly stingy all season. Fonte cost the Saints £1m but looks worth much more now. Southampton have certainly not missed Dejan Lovren. Not wholly convinced by Arsenal’s centre-backs yet but they look solid next to some of the defending on offer in Merseyside and Manchester this season.

  • Centre-half - John Terry

    Still the best in the business whatever his age and extracurricular activities. When Manchester City tried to buy him six years ago it seemed a strategy born of desperate attention-seeking or a lack of imagination, though the last few years could have been very different had the deal gone through. José Mourinho would have been furious for a start. Some thought Terry was in the twlight of his career but this season has been one of his finest.
    Centre-half - John Terry. Still the best in the business whatever his age and extracurricular activities. When Manchester City tried to buy him six years ago it seemed a strategy born of desperate attention-seeking or a lack of imagination, though the last few years could have been very different had the deal gone through. José Mourinho would have been furious for a start. Some thought Terry was in the twlight of his career but this season has been one of his finest.

  • Left-back - César Azpilicueta

    Remarkably good on this side considering he was bought as a right-back, but the Spaniard is athletic and consistent enough to operate in just about any position. Typical of Mourinho to try and replace Ashley Cole with a player unfamiliar with the position but Azpilicueta has been a success from day one and is still improving. Even Gary Neville is an admirer.
    Left-back César Azpilicueta. Remarkably good on this side considering he was bought as a right-back, but the Spaniard is athletic and consistent enough to operate in just about any position. Typical of Mourinho to try and replace Ashley Cole with a player unfamiliar with the position but Azpilicueta has been a success from day one and is still improving. Even Gary Neville is an admirer.

  • Defensive midfielder - Francis Coquelin

    By his own admission not quite the player Nemanja Matic is for Chelsea yet Coquelin has been a real discovery for Arsenal, the answer to many of their defensive problems. In terms of impact and a sudden rise from almost nowhere to become an indispensable part of the side this has been a season to remember for the Frenchman. Hard to believe that before Christmas Arsenal were initially planning to let him stay on loan at Charlton.
    Defensive midfielder - Francis Coquelin. By his own admission not quite the player Nemanja Matic is for Chelsea yet Coquelin has been a real discovery for Arsenal, the answer to many of their defensive problems. In terms of impact and a sudden rise from almost nowhere to become an indispensable part of the side this has been a season to remember for the Frenchman. Hard to believe that before Christmas Arsenal were initially planning to let him stay on loan at Charlton.

  • Defensive midfielder - Ander Herrera

    Yes, I know, Matic has a stronger claim, as has Cesc Fàbregas, but going for consistency all the time can get a little boring. Herrera had the sort of season you do not forget at United, barely getting a game at first then suddenly emerging from all the confusion to nail down a place and even chip in with a few goals. A nod to Michael Carrick, too, for doing much the same in the last few weeks but we always knew about him.
    Defensive midfielder Ander Herrera. Yes, I know, Matic has a stronger claim, as has Cesc Fàbregas, but going for consistency all the time can get a little boring. Herrera had the sort of season you do not forget at United, barely getting a game at first then suddenly emerging from all the confusion to nail down a place and even chip in with a few goals. A nod to Michael Carrick, too, for doing much the same in the last few weeks but we always knew about him.

  • Front right - Philippe Coutinho

    While Liverpool will end up empty-handed again there have been moments to savour and Coutinho has been at the heart of most of them, as reflected in his nomination for the PFA award. With Raheem Sterling too often subdued and Daniel Sturridge too often injured, Coutinho remains the prime hope of post-Suárez magic at Anfield, even if he badly needs a reliable finisher to keep supplied.
    Front right - Philippe Coutinho. While Liverpool will end up empty-handed again there have been moments to savour and Coutinho has been at the heart of most of them, as reflected in his nomination for the PFA award. With Raheem Sterling too often subdued and Daniel Sturridge too often injured, Coutinho remains the prime hope of post-Suárez magic at Anfield, even if he badly needs a reliable finisher to keep supplied.

  • Front middle - Eden Hazard

    Rapidly becoming the main reason why neutrals enjoy watching Chelsea. Mourinho runs a pragmatic ship, Hazard is the only concession to individual flair, and he has grown into the role to become integral to the team. So good now that Chelsea scarcely miss Diego Costa’s contribution when he is out injured. Hazard used to be an ornament, now he is the main man.
    Front middle - Eden Hazard. Rapidly becoming the main reason why neutrals enjoy watching Chelsea. Mourinho runs a pragmatic ship, Hazard is the only concession to individual flair, and he has grown into the role to become integral to the team. So good now that Chelsea scarcely miss Diego Costa’s contribution when he is out injured. Hazard used to be an ornament, now he is the main man.

  • Front left - Alexis Sánchez

    Perhaps not quite as startling in the second half of the season as the first but a hugely impressive first campaign in England all the same. With Mesut Özil also showing his value and beginning to link intuitively with the Chilean, Arsenal’s policy of spending large chunks of money on established performers is starting to bear fruit. Sanchez is a great all-round entertainer with an unerring finish.
    Front left Alexis Sánchez. Perhaps not quite as startling in the second half of the season as the first but a hugely impressive first campaign in England all the same. With Mesut Özil also showing his value and beginning to link intuitively with the Chilean, Arsenal’s policy of spending large chunks of money on established performers is starting to bear fruit. Sanchez is a great all-round entertainer with an unerring finish.

  • Centre-forward - Harry Kane

    Who else after a 30-goal season? A notable English success story and another obvious nomination for the PFA award. Perhaps a little early to judge whether his journey from virtual unknown to England international will make him the national team’s attacking spearhead for years to come. This is the team of the season and Kane (below) has had an outstanding one. Wayne Rooney and Sergio Agüero have been pretty good too but Kane has the Roy of the Rovers factor.
    Centre-forward - Harry Kane. Who else after a 30-goal season? A notable English success story and another obvious nomination for the PFA award. Perhaps a little early to judge whether his journey from virtual unknown to England international will make him the national team’s attacking spearhead for years to come. This is the team of the season and Kane (below) has had an outstanding one. Wayne Rooney and Sergio Agüero have been pretty good too but Kane has the Roy of the Rovers factor.

  • Manager - Ronald Koeman

    Tim Sherwood can do no wrong, from taking Aston Villa into an FA Cup final to taking credit for developing Harry Kane, though it would be odd to plump for a manager who got his break in February and still has relegation concerns. In terms of the Premier League season Garry Monk and Koeman have been the runaway successes. While Monk’s achievements with Swansea have been the more impressive for being realised in his first full season as manager, Koeman has supervised an excellent Southampton campaign despite some of the club’s best players being sold before his arrival.
    Manager - Ronald Koeman. Tim Sherwood can do no wrong, from taking Aston Villa into an FA Cup final to taking credit for developing Harry Kane, though it would be odd to plump for a manager who got his break in February and still has relegation concerns. In terms of the Premier League season Garry Monk and Koeman have been the runaway successes. While Monk’s achievements with Swansea have been the more impressive for being realised in his first full season as manager, Koeman has supervised an excellent Southampton campaign despite some of the club’s best players being sold before his arrival.
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