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Liverpool ended their long wait for a league title in 2020, and it’s no wonder that champions Jurgen Klopp dominate Sportsmail journalists’ Players and Teams of the Year.
But there have been many standout performances from elsewhere in a remarkable year that saw a season nearly cut short by a global pandemic and another closed-door start.
Bruno Fernandes, Jack Grealish and Kevin De Bruyne have earned rave reviews for their contributions throughout the year, but who else makes the cut?
Matt barlow
Player of 2020 – Jack Grealish
An absolute pleasure to watch. It was critical to Villa’s survival and a key factor in his transformation into something better this season with players around him to suit his style. Imaginative, adventurous and strong on the ball. He entered the England team with confidence. I wish it didn’t fall off so easily, but the same can be said for many others right now.
2020 team
(4-2-3-1) – Martinez; Justin, Dier, Evans, Robertson; Rice, De Bruyne; Salah, Fernandes, Grealish; Calvert-Lewin.
Solid and serious in the central defense guarded by Declan Rice, the best of filters. Pace, stamina and delivery from the wing area. James Justin has been outstanding for Leicester this season. A lot of style and creativity in the midfield (and this group will win a lot of penalties). Calvert-Lewin to lead the line due to their athleticism and hit rate this season, but it could easily have been Jamie Vardy, Harry Kane or Roberto Firmino who have been exceptional.
Joe bernstein
Player of 2020 – Jordan Henderson
The glue that held Liverpool together not only to win the Premier League title, but now topping the table again despite an injury crisis. When people talk about the greatest captains of the last 30 years, they think of Roy Keane, John Terry, Vincent Kompany and Patrick Vieira. Henderson somehow seems less cool, but he’s not done yet. In 10 years, he will be on the list for the momentum and leadership he brings to the amazing team at Jurgen Klopp.
2020 team
(4-3-3-) – Ederson; Alexander-Arnold, Maguire, Van Dijk, Robertson; De Bruyne, Henderson, Grealish; Salah, Kane, Sterling
It is difficult to evaluate the calendar year when it is divided into three parts; the pre-March lockdown, the end of 2019-20 with the restart of the project and now the current season. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk were so good in the first two phases that they entered despite limited contributions this season. He has made some mistakes, but overall Harry Maguire has been very consistent and it has been what captain Manchester United has failed. Jack Grealish is the only player outside of the Big Six who deserves his place. He has been outstanding in all phases, first during a relegation battle and now helping Aston Villa chase Europe.
Dominic king
Player of 2020 – Jordan Henderson
It is important to be consistent in this profession and having written about why the Liverpool captain should be honored in January, after having him nominated again in July, there is no reason to change your mind in December. The 30-year-old had an absolutely outstanding season and was just as important off the court. Liverpool are the team to beat and they are always better when Henderson is in midfield. He influenced the biggest games and set the tone for the champions.
2020 team
(4-3-3) – Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Maguire, Robertson; Fernandes, Henderson, De Bruyne; Salah, Vardy, Mane
A team with many Liverpool players, but how can you argue against it, given that the champions were so dominant? Harry Maguire doesn’t always get praise, but he has been consistent with Manchester United. It would be interesting, in the meantime, to see how much Mohamed Salah and Jamie Vardy would spend if they were on the same team …
Adrian kajumba
Player of 2020 – Bruno Fernandes
Statistically and in terms of impact, there may be few arguments. He has been the league’s best-performing attacking player for the year, scoring 18 and scoring 14 goals since his arrival last January. The signing of last season and will likely be a strong contender for this season’s player based on his input so far this season. He has transformed Manchester United so much that now he cannot function without him and regardless of whether he is in his prime, he constantly affects games.
2020 team
(4-1-3-2) – Martinez; James, Coady, Evans, Robertson; Fabinho; Son, Fernandes, Grealish; Kane, Calvert-Lewin.
I had to attack hard to put in some of the best forwards in the league, although a few I couldn’t make room for deserve a mention, including Jamie Vardy, Bukayo Saka and Wilfried Zaha. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg could also compete for the team this season, although not in 2020.
Daniel Matthews
Player of 2020 – Bruno Fernandes
In their last game of the pre-Bruno era, Manchester United were beaten at home by Burnley. The result left them fifth in the table: six points out of fourth, 14 behind third-place Leicester. By the end of the season, of course, United had taken third place. Now, at the end of 2020, he ranks second, hot on the heels of Liverpool. Make no mistake: Fernandes has dragged them to the table. After helping the winner Marcus Rashford against Wolves, Fernandes has scored 18 goals and created 14 in 29 Premier League appearances since joining. No one can match that.
2020 team
(4-3-3) – Martinez; Alexander-Arnold, Bednarek, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, De Bruyne, Fernandes; Salah, Vardy, Son
Imagine predicting in early 2020 that Emi Martinez would be a number one in the Premier League, let alone among the most outstanding goalkeepers of the calendar year. But what impact it had on Arsenal and now on Villa. Meanwhile, Jan Bednarek is rewarded for being the defensive mainstay of a resurgent Southampton, who (as of Wednesday) have been the fifth best team in the Premier League in 2020. Many of the others choose themselves. Liverpool have been the standout team, but there have been exceptional individuals elsewhere. Frustration? There was no room for Jack Grealish, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Harry Kane, Sadio Mane …
Source: m.allfootballapp.com
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