Saka, Martinelli, Odegaard and Partey were instant selections, no thought required. Last spot could have easily gone to several players, but in the moment I went for Gabriel.
Interesting that, when you think of the question in your head it feels like an easy one to answer but as I’m checking the boxes I’m becoming increasingly indecisive. Not an easy one to narrow!
Yep, I think generally most go for Saka, Odegaard and Martinelli but then it can turn really hard to pick the last 2.
I think majority of the team had their moments but it’s hard to forget the last chunk of the season. Saliba was injured and has dropped off since the World Cup. Zinchenko dropped off, Gabriel dropped off, Partey dropped off, Jesus was out for most of the season.
I personally went for the two most consistent. Ramsdale and White. Aside that blunder against Southampton, Ramsdale has saved us one too many times. White has been only one that held his shit together in our backline.
In retrospect I maybe should have voted Partey based on the overall body of work but its very hard to get two pivotal games where he was complete trash - at West Ham and at City - out of my mind. Maybe harsh but with a very young team those are the matches in which you need to lean on your veteran leaders who have been in huge games before and he came up so fucking small when we needed him the most.
Xhaka is half the player but he did his best to maintain his level and lead the team even when the stakes got highest.
Find it difficult to argue against any points so far really.
Saka, Martinelli and Odegard were my givens and then went for Ramsdale and finally Jesus as I just think his impact at the start of the season was the kickstart that even got us in the mix to begin with.