The year 2021 has not been a normal one for anyone, including the Premier League teams. We’ve looked at EPL stats from January to December.
Here are the top players in the league, as they were scored in FootballCoin in two parts of two seasons.
How many of these were in your team, weekly, in fantasy football contests?
The best goalkeepers in the Premier League in 2021
Emilano Martinez | 1129.8 points
Emilano Martinez has slowly, confidently carved a great career for himself. The Argentine had an impressive year. As Aston Villa’s main goalkeeper, the challenges faced are many. Martinez has thrived, clearly enjoying being the focus of attention after a career largely deputizing as the team’s main choice.
This year, Martinez has averaged over 70% shot save rate. The goalkeeper concedes around 1.3 goals per 90 minutes. However, it’s his shot-stopping and his command of his own box that make the Argentine a great asset to Aston Villa. Martinez is the best goalkeeper of 2021.
Sub: Illan Meslier | 1073.2 points
Illan Meslier won the award last year. What happened since then? On the one hand, Leeds’ style of play has meant that Meslier is one of the most overworked keepers in England.
On the other hand, Marcelo Bielsa’s tactics put the goalkeeper in consistent danger. Leeds is courting relegation this season. Meslier is still a bright spot on an otherwise underwhelming campaign. And, with age on his side, there’s no knowing what the player’s ceiling is.
The best defenders in the Premier League in 2021
Trent Alexander-Arnold | 1859.3 points
Trent Alexander Arnold is the best player in FootballCoin. Full stop. In the five years since the game, no other player has accumulated more points, or with more consistency.
Alexander-Arnold has done it again at the back of a challenging year. Occasional criticism and injuries threatened to curtail his evolution. However, the figures speak for themselves. It feels almost like no fantasy football team can do without him.
Joao Cancelo | 1476.3 points
Joao Cancelo risked becoming just a bleep on Manchester City’s illustrious modern history. The Portuguese, however, turned himself into a true pupil of Pep Guardiola and his unique methods. Combining the lessons learned from the manager, Cancelo came to epitomize the role of the modern wing-back.
Andy Robertson | 1397.75 points
Like Alexander-Arnold and Cancelo, Robertson makes the wing-back position look essential for a modern football team. Andy Robertson is as attacking as a defender will ever get. His determination proves to be icing on the cake. Scotland’s most famous player deservedly occupies our Team of the Year list once again.
Antonio Rudiger | 1233.9 points
Antonio Rudiger is a player that few would have seen making the TOTY at the end of last year. The German defender’s career was rejuvenated by Thomas Tuchel’s arrival at Chelsea. The manager knew from the start how to utilize Rudiger’s abilities. Under Tuchel, Rudiger became a Premier League hardman. More importantly, it often turned the Blues’ defense into a fortress.
Sub: Luke Shaw | 1222.65 points
Luke Shaw is another player with an unexpected year trajectory. Shaw built upon criticism received in the past from former manager Jose Mourinho, or from fans.
He was instrumental in Manchester United’s strong end to last season. Shaw was also a vital player for Gareth Southgate’s England at Euro 2020. Simply put, few players have surprised us as much as Luke Shaw in 2021.
The best midfielders in the Premier League in 2021
James Ward Prowse | 1356.05 points
James Ward Prowse is the most underrated great player in the Premier League. His greatness became undisputed this year. Ward Prowse became a leader for Southampton this year. He also became known as one of the best free-kick takers in modern football. The Saints will find it hard to keep James Ward Prowse at Saint Mary’s forever.
Bruno Fernandes | 1319.25 points
Bruno Fernandes may be struggling for form today. However, few players had as an immediate an impact on a team as the Portuguese when he joined Manchester United.
Fernandes is a classic number 10. This meant that the Red Devils often displayed a single attacking strategy. To get the ball to Bruno Fernandes. For much of the first part of 2021, it was a strategy that worked.
Mason Mount | 1229.95 points
Mason Mount’s evolution has been swift. Two years ago he was a player showing his potential in the Championship. Then, he was a player that, in the eyes of many, was not quite ready for the Premier League. Today, he is one of Chelsea and England’s most important players. His FootballCoin points help cut through any of the hype.
Youri Tielemans | 1214.7 points
Youri Tielemans proved just how special he is this year. The midfielder is not the first technically gifted Belgium player to join the EPL. This year, however, Leicester City, once again, proved their knowledge of the transfer market. Youri Tielemans developed into a confident, crafty midfielder. Alongside James Maddison and Wilfred Ndidi, the Belgium player turned the Foxes into a force to be reckoned with.
Rodri | 1197.3 points
Pepe Guardiola is not wrong about a lot of players. Rodri’s evolution as an important part of Manchester City’s was a slow one. By the second half of the year, however, Rodri was virtually undroppable from a team that’s dominated the league. Skilled, disciplined, and able to play the style patented by Guardiola, Rodri is one of the best playmakers in football.
The best forwards in the Premier League in 2021
Raphinha | 1150.5 points
Marcelo Bielsa is not a manager that often asks his club to dip into the transfer market. The Argentine manager only opts for transfer when absolutely necessary. This should tell you a lot about Raphinha’s arrival at Leeds.
The forward has given the Peacocks an additional attacking edge. He’s integrated well in Bielsa’s setup. He has also joined at a time of negative change for the team’s fortunes. Raphinha has had to work extra hard. In spite of Leeds’ relatively poor form, he is the best forward in fantasy football in 2021.
Heung Min Son | 1150.35 points
Heung Min Son is another player who has shown despite his team’s lack of form. Tottenham has struggled under three managers this year. Few things had remained consistent. Son’s form is one of them.
Son’s speed, technique, and dogged perseverance make him an unbelievable threat to EPL defenders everywhere. Son might just be one of the best EPL players of his time.
Sub: Mohamed Salah | 1141.9 points
There were moments in 2021 when Mohamed Salah looked like the best player in the world. Most of these moments occurred in the second part of the year. Technical, clever, and powerful, Salah can almost always be depended upon to produce something special. Liverpool has one of their greatest heroes. And, if things continue on this trend, Mohamed Salah may still have some medals to earn as a Liverpool player.
Who made it in your fantasy football Team of the Year?
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