adminChelsea dominated the team of the year announced yesterday by Professional Footballers’ Association, with six players from the Premier League champions-elect in the side voted for by their fellow pros in England. Jose Mourinho’s side are well clear at the top of the table and on the brink of bringing the English title back to Stamford Bridge for the first time since 2010.
The PFA team comprised just four English players.
Eden Hazard, one of the nominees for the PFA’s player of the year award, was in midfield along with Chelsea teammate Nemanja Matic, while star striker Diego Costa, who has scored 19 goals in the Premier League so far this season, was selected up front.
Blues captain John Terry and centre-back partner Gary Cahill were at the heart of the PFA team’s defence, with full-back Branislav Ivanovic also included.
Ryan Bertrand, the other full-back in the PFA side, was a Chelsea player at the start of the season before joining Premier League rivals Southampton on a fulltime deal following a loan move to St Mary’s.
Manchester United’s David de Gea was in goal for the PFA side, while the midfield also featured Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho and Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez.
Meanwhile Tottenham Hotspur and England rising star Harry Kane, the favourite to be crowned the PFA’s young player of the year at an awards ceremony in London late last night, was chosen to partner Costa in attack. — BBC Sport
PFA team of the year:
David de Gea (Manchester United); Ryan Bertrand (Southampton), Branislav Ivanovic (Chelsea), John Terry (Chelsea), Gary Cahill (Chelsea); Eden Hazard (Chelsea), Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool), Nemanja Matic (Chelsea), Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal); Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Diego Costa (Chelsea)
Online Reporter