Premier League XI based on stats shows Man Utd need Jack Grealish transfer and Liverpool’s weakness is in midfield
JACK GREALISH has proven why Manchester United are so desperate to sign him after he was named in the best Premier League XI so far this season.
The Aston Villa playmaker is hot property as he prepares to leave his boyhood club for a big-money move when the season eventually ends.
Grealish, 24, has been Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s top transfer target as he looks to bolster his Red Devils squad with young, exciting talent.
And Sky Sports Power Rankings have found that the England star’s performances have been good enough to make the best Prem XI based on stats.
Another of United’s targets, James Maddison, has also made the team but champions-elect Liverpool are laid bare in midfield despite dominating in both defence and attack.
Reds captain Jordan Henderson has been tipped as one of the frontrunners for the PFA Player of the Year but he misses out, as well as two of the league’s top scorers in Jamie Vardy and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Here SunSport runs through the team…
Kasper Schmeichel
The Leicester stopper edges out Liverpool’s No.1 Alisson between the sticks, having made almost double the amount of saves as the Brazilian.
The Dane is behind only Burnley’s Nick Pope in clean sheets this season after keeping 10 shut outs and prevented an average of 2.8 goals per game.
Trent Alexander-Arnold
Liverpool’s academy graduate is a no-brainer at right-back following a campaign in which he recorded a league-high 67 accurate crosses and touches at 2,983.
The 21-year-old also ranks second for assists at 12 as well as runner-up with 75 chances created and beats out Ricardo Pereira, Cesar Azpilicueta, and Matt Doherty.
James Tarkowski
The Burnley defender is somewhat of a surprise inclusion as he narrowly takes a starting berth ahead of United’s world-record Harry Maguire.
Tarkowski was given the nod after winning a superior number of aerial duals to his England rival alongside more clean sheets, tackles, duels, blocks, and clearances.
Virgil van Dijk
The colossal Dutchman is Sky’s top-ranked centre-back over Leicester pair Caglar Soyuncu and Jonny Evans after boasting a league-setting 2,210 passes while steering Liverpool to a record 12 clean sheets this season.
The 28-year-old has also contributed four goals – more than any other central defender – including a power header in the 2-0 win over rivals United.
Andrew Robertson
The Scotland captain slots in next to his Liverpool teammate ahead of Sheffield United’s Enda Stevens following another impressive term for table-topping Reds.
The former Hull City star has also notched seven assists, despite only registering 28 successful crosses.
Kevin De Bruyne
Manchester City’s talisman tops Sky’s Power Rankings over Alexander-Arnold, with the Belgian topping the England defender with his 16 assists and 96 chances created.
De Bruyne added eight goals to Pep Guardiola’s side, including several goal of the season contenders in wins against Arsenal and Newcastle.
Jack Grealish
The Aston Villa captain has been his sides main shining light in a relegation-threatened campaign, contributing seven league goals and six assists.
The 24-year-old seems destined for an England call-up after a season in which he’s bested Henderson and James Ward-Prowse for a spot in this team.
James Maddison
Despite endless comparisons to Grealish, Leicester City’s counterpart has earned his own place alongside the Villa skipper over Joao Moutinho and Rodri.
Set-piece specialist Maddison has impressed for Brendan Rodgers Champions League hopefuls with 1,102 accurate passes and 56 completed crosses.
Mohamed Salah
The Egyptian lines up on the opposite flank to Liverpool teammate Sadio Mane, with the pair racking up 30 goals between them.
The fearsome duo have also notched 13 assists, 88 chances and 93 successful dribbles to fend off competition from nearest challenger Adama Traore.
Sadio Mane
The Senegalese seems to be destined for the PFA Player of the Year after a stunning season in which he netted vital winners against Villa and Norwich.
Manchester City pair Riyad Mahrez and Raheem Sterling were among the other contenders for Mane and Salah’s spots, including Chelsea’s Willian.
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Raul Jimenez
The Wolves frontman has emerged ahead of similar hard-working strikers such as Roberto Firmino and Richarlison, as well as typical strikers, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Danny Ings.
The Mexico International has scored 14 goals and provided seven assists in addition to a league-topping 14 fast breaks.
