What a great season it has been for Spanish football, we have had one of the better title races in recent years, culminating in Real Madrid’s first title for 3 years. It has, as always been a season rife with star performers, which we will run down in this team of the season.
Goalkeeper: Unai Simón, Athletic Club
This was by far the most difficult selection of the team, there were 5 extremely strong candidates here with Aitor Fernandez, Jan Oblak, Marc-André Ter Stegen, and Thibaut Courtois all considered, but I have gone for 23 year old Athletic Club Goalie, Unai Simón. While checking understat for what keepers have made the biggest positive impact by xG, I was almost certain that I would end up picking Aitor Fernandez of Levante, until I came across this man. By xG, Athletic Club should have conceded 52.4 goals this season, but in fact they have only conceded 38, leaving the differential at a staggering 14.4, by far the best in La Liga. By xPoints, they should be around 14th, but with Simón’s heroics, they finished the season in a respectable 11th place. This paired with an impressive 12 clean sheets this season and his relative youth, at 23 suggests that we have a very real player on our hands here, and one of Spain’s finest goalkeepers. While he is not as good a GK as the likes of Oblak and Ter Stegen, I think that it is hard to argue that any other goalkeeper has impressed as much as Simón has in La Liga this season, and if he can continue this form into next campaign, I think it would be absurd if he was not starting for Spain at the European Championships.
Left Back: Sergio Reguilón, Sevilla FC
Osasuna’s Pervis Estupiñan will feel hard done by to have been beaten to this team, but I have chosen the Real Madrid loanee. I am very glad that Reguilón chose to leave Real on loan, as there is no doubt that otherwise he would have been cast out at the Bernabeu, instead he has shown that he really is one of Europe’s top young left backs. The 23 year old has been impressive defensively this season, he is 3rd for both tackles and interceptions in the Sevilla team this campaign with 1.8 and 1.1 respectively (whoscored), but he has shown real quality going forward this season, as we expected. He has 2 goals and 4 assists this season, with an xA per 90 of 0.15 (understat), which is good for a fullback, he takes 0.9 shots per 90 and 1.3 key passes, encouraging numbers from a 23 year old fullback, showing that he is already balancing defence with offence better than any other left back in the division. His 1.6 dribbles is joint second among La Liga left backs this season, as is his 47.4 passes per 90 and his 81.4% success rate is impressive (whoscored). One way or another, Sergio Reguilón’s future lies in doubt, will he return to Real, or will he find a permanent move back to Sevilla or elsewhere, I am sure that there are plenty of teams after a left back this season, and you could go far worse than in my eyes 19/20’s best La Liga left back, Sergio Reguilón.
Centre Back: Sergio Ramos, Real Madrid
El Capitano, the man to lift up Real’s first La Liga title for 3 years, and he has, as we have come to expect, been very impressive at the back for Real this season, as well as having a remarkable goalscoring record this season. Sergio Ramos has scored 11 (!) goals this season, although it is worth noting that plenty of these were from the penalty spot. Either way this is remarkable, what is more remarkable is that this is hardly an over performance of his 10.65 xG, this is, unsurprisingly the most of any defender this season, so extremely impressive, with every game he seems to be more and more like Fernando Hierro. Scoring is, however, of course not exactly his job, either way, Real have had La Liga’s tightest defence this season, and with 35 games this season, I could hardly not include him here. He has 1.3 tackles, 1.4 interceptions and 2.8 clearances this season, the latter being second in the Real squad (whoscored), he also boasts the seventh best pass success percentage in the league. It has been a vintage Sergio Ramos season this campaign, and is he can do this again next campaign, Real fans can have high hopes of replicating this season’s success.
Centre Back: Diego Carlos, Sevilla FC
The second centre back slot was a very difficult one to pick, I considered the likes of Djene Dakonam and Raphael Varane, but I settled on Sevilla’s summer signing from Nantes, Diego Carlos. Sevilla have had a great season under Lopetegui, claiming champions league football for next season, and much of this can be attributed to their defence, which has conceded the third fewest in the division, during which, Carlos has appeared 35 times. His 3.8 clearances is 2nd in the division (whoscored) and his 1.1 interceptions is 4th in the Sevilla squad. Obviously it is very difficult to use stats to analyse who the world’s best centre backs are, but it is clear that Diego Carlos’ influence on Sevilla this season has been sizeable, as they have conceded 13 fewer goals this season now that Diego Carlos has arrived compared to last season without him. Diego Carlos has had many clubs linked with him, but Los Palanganas fans will be desperate for them to hold onto the Brazilian.
Right Back: Dani Carvajal, Real Madrid
The champions’ first inclusion in this side, there was decidedly minimal competition for this right back slot, and Carvajal has had a very good season. As we have come to expect, he has been very good going forward this season, with 5 assists, and 0.18 xA per 90 (understat), very good for a fullback, his 1.3 key passes per 90 is 4th among right backs in La Liga, so very impressive. Defensively, however he has been very impressive for Los Blancos this season, his 2.1 tackles per 90 is second only to Emerson among La Liga right backs, as is his 1.2 interceptions (whoscored). This shows, like Reguilón that he has mastered the balance between defence and offence as a fullback, which is, obviously, difficult to master. Real Madrid have only conceded 25 goals this season, fewest in La Liga, and it is clear to see why this is the case, Carvajal and Mendy have both been extremely impressive this season for Los Merengues, and without Carvajal, there is no doubt that they would be a weaker side.
Midfielder: Casemiro, Real Madrid
The third Real player in this team, and Casemiro will certainly not be the last. There is no doubt that Casemiro has been arguably their most important player this season, carrying all defensive duties in the midfield for Real. Casemiro is in La Liga’s top 5 for both tackles and interceptions per 90, with 2.7 and 1.9 respectively (whoscored) this is, essentially, Casemiro’s whole job, to break up play, and few do it as well as him. He is so important to Real, as none of his midfield partners this season, wether it be Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, or Fede Valverde, contribute a large number of defensive actions, without him, Real’s midfield would be a total mess, and very easy to bypass. There is a reason why Real’s defence has been the meanest in La Liga this season, and I would argue that Casemiro is the single biggest factor towards this. Casemiro also has a tendency to pop up with a goal every now and again, with 4 goals and 3 assists for Los Blancos this season, a reasonable contribution, and not far off his fellow midfielders in the Real squad. I see Casemiro as one of the most criminally underrated players of our time, and his raw defensive output is very difficult to replicate in this Real side, carrying almost all defensive contribution in the midfield. The Brazilian is 28 now, so Real need to start worrying about how he will be replaced in the coming years.
Midfielder: Mikel Merino, Real Sociedad
It may have slightly petered out for them, but it has certainly been a successful season for Real Sociedad, they have come 6th in La Liga, and certain star men have caught the eye this season such as Real Madrid loanee Martin ødegaard and Mikel Oyarzabal, but for me, their best player this season has been former Borussia Dortmund midfielder Mikel Merino. I was very close to picking Fulham loanee André-Franck Zambo Anguissa here, but I felt that Merino’s place was more justified. Mikel Merino is hardly La Real’s most threatening player in front of goal, with 5 goals and 1 assist to his name this season and just 0.9 key passes (whoscored), although that is a relatively useful goalscoring output from midfield. He has 2.2 tackles, 1.4 interceptions and 1.4 clearances per 90 (whoscored) all impressive numbers from a player who is not necessarily an out and out defensive midfielder. Despite only completing 1 dribble per game, Merino is the 5th most fouled player in La Liga this season, so he is extremely difficult to get the ball off. He is also good when it comes to passing, with 53.7 per game, with an unimpressive 75.8% completion, although it is certainly worth noting that he plays 2.2 long balls per game. Merino is a fantastic player, and there is no doubt that Borussia Dortmund will be upset that they don’t have him anymore, at 24 he still has so much more to give, and he has been one of La Liga’s best midfielders this season.
Midfielder: Santi Cazorla, Villarreal CF
What a story this is, Santi Cazorla has had some of the worst time with injuries of any footballer, but here he stands in his final season in La Liga, at the age of 35 having just had one of his finest campaigns. Santi has 11 goals and 9 assists this season, leaving him 10th in the scoring charts and 3rd in assists, staggering considering his age, he has been vital for Villarreal claiming 5th spot in the table. With 1.4 tackles (whoscored), Santi Cazorla has put in a reasonable defensive contribution this season for the yellow submarine, but of course it is going forward where he has shone. He is 3rd in key passes in the division with 2 per 90, along with 1.4 shots and dribbles per game (whoscored), these are all impressive stats regardless of his age. His combined xG and xA per 90 is 0.61, which is excellent for a creative midfielder, but he has even run hot this season, scoring over 2 more and assisting over 1 more than expected (understat), so he is an elite creator and finisher even at his age, although it is worth noting that 8 of his goals were from the penalty spot. On the ball he is also impressive, with nearly 50 passes per game with a 86.4% success rate. All in all it is impossible not to be happy for Santi Cazorla, after being told he would never walk again, at the age of 35, he has produced one final, sensational season for us to enjoy, and even at his age, he has been the best creative midfielder in La Liga.
Attacker: Gerard Moreno, Villarreal CF
It has been a great season for Villarreal, and they can look forward to Europa League football next season under new manager Unai Emery after finishing 5th. Much of this can be attributed to the league’s third top scored, and the league’s top Spanish goalscorer, Gerard Moreno. Moreno has 18 league goals this season, only bettered by Messi and Benzema. His 2.5 shots per game puts him in La Liga’s top 10 (whoscored), but he only has 15.31 xG this season (understat), showing that Moreno does not just take a lot of shots, but he is very clinical. The 28 year old has also contributed to the Yellow Submarine’s fast flowing attack with a creative contribution, his 0.25 xA per 90 this season is only bettered by 4 La Liga players, and if his teammates were more clinical, he would have 7-8 assists, as opposed to the 5 that he has this season (understat), his 1.4 key passes and 1.7 dribbles per 90 are both impressive considering the burden of being the team’s primary goalscorer (whoscored), showing that he really has become a very complete forward this season having more than doubled his goal tally from last season and nearly doubling his xA per 90. Fans of Villarreal will be praying that Moreno’s fantastic campaign this season was not just a flash in the pan, and that he will prove to be a fantastic player once again going into Europe as he chases the crown of being La Liga’s top Spanish scorer down once again.
Attacker: Lionel Messi, FC Barcelona
Surprise, surprise the only Barcelona player to feature in the 11 is Mr Lionel Messi, while this has been a weaker season (by his standards) he has broken records, with over 20 goals and assists this season, and still been La Liga’s best player by far. There really isn’t much analysis that needs to be done here, he has 25 goals and 20 assists this season, making him top goalscorer and top assister this season, and he has massively over performed xG this season, he is expected to have ‘just’ around 21 goals and 17 assists, so he is still incredibly clinical both in front of goal and creatively he has 1.17 xG and xA combined this season (understat), which is low by his standards, but, of course astronomical by everybody else’s. With 4.8, 2.7 and 5.5 respectively, Messi has the most shots, key passes and dribbles per game in La Liga this season, obviously making him the league’s best attacker, he is also fouled more than any player in La Liga (whoscored), so he takes many shots, is impossible to get the ball from and is sensational at picking out passes, is anybody surprised? Despite Messi’s obvious genius, Barcelona need to learn to cope without him, because if they don’t, when he leaves they are in for a serious shock. Messi is obviously an incredible player, and the best in the division, so he was the first name on the team sheet.
Attacker: Karim Benzema, Real Madrid
I have to confess, I thought that Real Madrid’s purchase of Luka Jovic meant the end of Karim Benzema’s time as their main number 9, but he has risen to that in quite spectacular fashion. While Jovic has only played 410 minutes, Benzema has scored 21 and assisted 8 as Real have won La Liga. If it were not for Messi, Benzema would be La Liga’s golden boot winner this season, and this has been reflected in his xG (understat), scoring about as many as he should have, showing that he really is a properly world class number 9, even at the age of 32. His combined xG and xA per 90 was 0.83, which is very impressive and one of the best tallies of his career (understat). He is 3rd in the division for shots per 90, on 3.4, only bettered by Messi and fellow argentine Chimy Avila, his 1.6 key passes are impressive (whoscored), but he is not much of a dribbler, maybe the only thing he needs to add to his game. As stated, he has been impressive creatively as well this season, with an xA of 8.15 (understat), matched by the 8 assists he has managed, making him the league’s joint 4th top assister, this paired with being second top scorer (only to Messi) shows just how good Benzema is, and how important he is to Los Merengues’ success.
by Viktor Schlatte
Football 37 