Let me begin by stating for the record that I did enjoy the 2016-17 Premier League season.
There were enough storylines, both expected and unexpected, to keep me entertained, even if this campaign had the impossible task of trying to match the sheer magnificence of last season.
Of course, Leicester City was never going to repeat as champions, but for the opening months of the season the Foxes demanded attention. It would fade, but not before the narrative turned from how high will they finish to will they actually get relegated? A ruthless dismissal of Claudio Ranieri turned impartial observers against the heroes of last season, who were suddenly seen as unlikeable back-stabbers. Despite the suspicions surrounding the rise of Craig Shakespeare, the team rediscovered itself, and they could still finish as a top-half team, depending on what happens on Sunday in the final weekend of the season.
It seemed clear early on that a relative return to normalcy was in the offing. Manchester United and Manchester City began the season well, showing off their shiny new managers. I remember writing that the swagger was back at United under Jose Mourinho, while I all but crowned City champions as early as September. Word to the wise: always remember that it is a long season.
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Mourinho’s United would suffer from inconsistency, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s dominant first year in English football coming exactly as advertised, but also masking the complete lack of finishing behind him. Ibrahimovic really was one of the highlights of the season, even if the armchair tacticians questioned his team’s fluidity with the hulking centre-forward in the starting 11.
It was a record season for United, as far as the lowest number of wins in a Premier League campaign, but a League Cup victory and a Champions League berth via the Europa League (IF they beat Ajax in the final) might be considered as an acceptable first year for the Special One.
Over at Man City we find a confounding team that remain somewhat of an unknown even as we enter the final weekend. Pep Guardiola tried everything, often within matches, but too often his side looked confused and lacked any sort of identity. Expect major changes this off-season, and a major assault on all trophies next season.
While Jose and Pep owned the pre-season and early season hype, Chelsea’s new man Antonio Conte was happy to operate relatively under the radar. After a loss to Arsenal in September, he had enough. A switch to a 3-4-3 formation midway through that match changed the direction of the season for his club and the league, while also reinventing Victor Moses and David Luiz. No European commitments was of massive significance, and next season will be a different beast entirely, but Chelsea were brilliant, a joy to watch, with a swagger and edge that champions need.
Some argue that Tottenham were an even better team than Chelsea, but instead of having hardened winners throughout its lineup, Spurs have young players still learning how to win. Let’s hope they realize that and stay with the team, rather than seek riches elsewhere; watching what Tottenham do this off-season, ahead of an awkward one-year stay at Wembley, will be intriguing.
Liverpool, meanwhile, took a step forward. How big of a step remains to be seen. If Jurgen Klopp’s side can hang onto top four football this weekend, then a Champions League berth will be of enormous significance, and should be seen as a success, despite a campaign where too many points were dropped against beatable teams.
And then there is Arsenal. Will Sunday be Arsene Wenger’s last Premier League match at the club? I think it should be, although a new contract would not surprise me. Regardless, the treatment Wenger has suffered through this season has been tough to take, but even tougher to take was the apparent lack of support by anyone at the club – it seemed Wenger had to shoulder the criticism by himself. Perhaps he deserves that, but who had his back? It certainly didn’t seem his players did.
Everton rounded out the top seven, and will enjoy European football next season. The Toffees, with new ownership, are still discovering just what they are: a Europa League team, or a side destined for more? Again, an intriguing summer awaits.
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The Premier League is split into three divisions when you think about it.
The top 7, followed by a decidedly mushy middle, followed by the relegation teams. Make no mistake, several clubs were worthy of going down, but Sunderland, Middlesbrough and Hull City were the worst of a bad bunch. On the bright side, Crystal Palace will more than likely ascend into the mushy middle next season with a full year with Sam Allardyce, while Swansea City began to look again like Swansea City late in the campaign.
To close, here’s my alternate team of the year – players I enjoyed watching who didn’t get the appreciation they should have received. Let’s make it a 3-4-3 shall we, after all everyone loves three at the back these days. And I’m aware I don’t have wingbacks, but I’m a sucker for combative central types.
Goalkeeper – Ben Foster (West Bromwich Albion): He didn’t miss a minute this season, which given his injury history is amazing. Arguably the Baggies’ best performer; not bad for a washed-up has-been.
Defender – Nathan Ake (Chelsea): He should never have been recalled by Chelsea, and instead should have been given the year at Bournemouth where he was instrumental for most of the season. Reports are emerging that Bournemouth might bid 30 million pounds for him. That speaks for itself.
Defender – Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea): He is the least talked about of Chelsea’s back three, and frankly I’d have had him at wingback if anywhere. What a season, what a reinvention.
Defender – Ben Mee (Burnley): Bit of a throw-back defender in the modern era of passing centre backs.
Midfielder – Paul Pogba (Manchester United): I know what you’re thinking, but if we could just forget about the price tag then we’d see that he had a good season. Add in that the analytics crowd love him, and the fact that he’s been playing while his dad passed away, and I think the dude with the emoji deserves some love.
Midfielder – Tom Davies (Everton): A teenager, short socks and black boots, and an engine that never quits. That’s why.
Midfielder – Gylfi Sigurdsson (Swansea City): I could watch Gylfi all day long, and if a team has a set-piece in injury time and it’s 0-0, I want Gylfi to take it.
Midfielder – Idrissa Gueye (Everton): I wanted to get N’Golo Kante in, but he won everything this year, so next best thing is this tackling machine.
Forward – Alavaro Negredo (Middlesbrough): Hear me out. His team was dreadful in its own half, goals were apparently despised by Aitor Karanka, yet somehow despite pretty much zero service, Negredo has nine goals and also led his awful team in assists with four. I think he deserves applause.
Forward – Olivier Giroud (Arsenal): I can’t believe this one either, but this season Wenger seemed to bow to pressure by taking him out of his preferred team, yet whenever he played, he scored. The Frenchman has 12 goals despite just eleven starts. Great beard, too.
Forward – Christian Benteke (Crystal Palace): If not for his goals (he has 15 so far) where would Palace be? A man that was never given a chance at Liverpool, a victim of a managerial change mid-season, he has excelled again. If you want goals, and play the appropriate system, there aren’t many better options than the Belgian.
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