Reflection: Some players were at the centre of intriguing stories that littered the Premier League this past season.
The latest Premier League campaign has ended and once again has produced many fascinating moments to reminisce. In this post, we’re going to explore both who impressed and surprised spectators the most this past season.
Star of the Season: Mo Salah
Picture credit: This Is Anflied.com
Despite losing the official Player of the Season award to midfield maestro Kevin De Bruyne recently, there is a strong argument that the Egyptian talisman is unlucky to miss out on the individual prize.
His 23 league goals (joint-most with Heung-Min Son) won him the Golden Boot award this season, his third in five seasons since joining Liverpool.
His 23 league goals (joint-most with Heung-Min Son) won him the Golden Boot award this season, his third in five seasons since joining Liverpool.
For the first time in his career, he also claimed the Premier League Playmaker of the Season prize with 13 assists. The double scoop of both these awards is only the second time a single player has ever achieved this in Premier League history.
Salah’s form tailed off at the turn of the year but he truly began the season in unstoppable form. He contributed either a goal or assist in 16 of the first 17 league matches and had countless match-winning performances.
He ended the season with the most combined goals and assists (36) while only Burnley and Leicester denied him an attacking return of all the teams he faced.
Most Improved Player: Jarrod Bowen
Picture credit: The Mirror
A few players have emerged from the depths of obscurity this season, but none like West Ham's hidden gem. Bowen has been nothing short of scintillating this season and has been key in the Hammers' push to qualify for European football.
Bowen was one of only three players in the league to record double digits in both goals (12) and assists (10). Both stats beat his career best of 8 goals and 5 assists in a Premier League season, which he managed in 2020-21.
Bowen was one of only three players in the league to record double digits in both goals (12) and assists (10). Both stats beat his career best of 8 goals and 5 assists in a Premier League season, which he managed in 2020-21.
Out of every English player in the league, only Harry Kane managed more combined goals and assists (26) than Bowen (22). And just when his team needed him the most in their push for European football, he scored three and assisted three in their final four games. Not least an electric brace that halted Man City’s title celebrations.
Best Signing: Cristiano Ronaldo
Picture credit: Twitter/Cristiano Ronaldo
Of course, this goal-scoring extraordinaire needs no introduction. He didn't have one of the best scoring seasons of his career but at 37 years of age, his impactful performances were still a sight to behold this campaign.
Ronaldo's sensational return to his old hunting ground was greeted with much fanfare and he was expected to be the final push needed to help Man United fight for the Premier League title once again. However, it didn't quite go as expected. But not least due to the efforts of the Portuguese striker.
His tally of 18 league goals in just 30 games for the season was only bettered by shared Golden boot winners Mo Salah and Heung-Min Son. But even then, his tally was almost a third of Man United's total goals for the season.
His tally of 18 league goals in just 30 games for the season was only bettered by shared Golden boot winners Mo Salah and Heung-Min Son. But even then, his tally was almost a third of Man United's total goals for the season.
Along the way, he was awarded the Player of the Month award twice and scored several match-winning goals. Most notably, Man United didn't win a single game that Ronaldo either missed or didn't start in.
Best Manager: Eddie Howe
Picture credit: Chronicle Live/PA
Eddie Howe may have had a war chest of transfer funds to use in the January window but his job of steer Newcastle far away from the relegation zone was absolutely brilliant.
The Magpies started the season in abysmal form; winless in their opening 14 games and conceding in every game. At one stage, they looked a certainty to be relegated by the season's end. But Steve Bruce's replacement changed things. His signings in January were a testament to great scouting. Bruno Guimaraes in particular was a revelation since joining.
Howe introduced a much better defensive foundation in the Newcastle team and his reinvention of once-misfiring Joelinton as a centre midfielder was almost a stroke of genius. Astonishingly, only Liverpool (51) and Man City (46) collected more points in 2022 than Newcastle (38).
Howe steered Newcastle to an impressive end of the season where they finished in 11th place. A remarkable feat for Newcastle considering how they started. Magpies fans can dream of new heights their team can soar to with Howe at the helm.
Howe introduced a much better defensive foundation in the Newcastle team and his reinvention of once-misfiring Joelinton as a centre midfielder was almost a stroke of genius. Astonishingly, only Liverpool (51) and Man City (46) collected more points in 2022 than Newcastle (38).
Howe steered Newcastle to an impressive end of the season where they finished in 11th place. A remarkable feat for Newcastle considering how they started. Magpies fans can dream of new heights their team can soar to with Howe at the helm.
Unsung Hero: José Sá
Picture credit: Birmingham Mail
A genuine contender for signing of the season but yet a player that perhaps doesn't receive all the plaudits that he's due. Wolves brought him in from Olympiakos to replace his countryman, Rui Patricio and he's been stellar in between the sticks ever since.
The Wolves shot stopper has been imperative in Wolves' strong defence this season that only conceded 43 goals. Only the top four teams (Man City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Spurs) conceded less goals than the midlands based club. Sa kept the joint-sixth most clean sheets in the league (11) alongside Vicente Guaita. While also making 121 saves, joint-fourth most in the league too.
To put the significance of his contribution into context; only the relegated sides (Norwich, Watford, Burnley) scored less goals than Wolves' total of 38. Yet, Wolves finished 10th in the table. Considering their scoring troubles, there's no telling where Wolves might have ended up had they not had Sa defending their net.
The Wolves shot stopper has been imperative in Wolves' strong defence this season that only conceded 43 goals. Only the top four teams (Man City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Spurs) conceded less goals than the midlands based club. Sa kept the joint-sixth most clean sheets in the league (11) alongside Vicente Guaita. While also making 121 saves, joint-fourth most in the league too.
To put the significance of his contribution into context; only the relegated sides (Norwich, Watford, Burnley) scored less goals than Wolves' total of 38. Yet, Wolves finished 10th in the table. Considering their scoring troubles, there's no telling where Wolves might have ended up had they not had Sa defending their net.
Biggest Surprise: Brentford
Picture credit: Reuters/Peter Cziborra
They announced themselves in exciting fashion by taking the heads of English giants Arsenal in their opening fixture of the season, winning 2-0 at their new stadium no less. Brentford were also at the centre of one of the most heart-warming stories of the season when Christian Eriksen joined the club in the January window.
He played for the first time since he sadly collapsed on the field at Euro 2022 with Denmark. But his return to play showed no signs of rustiness. With the quality on the ball and expert deliveries from crosses, he was instrumental for Brentford as they won seven of the 11 games he featured in.
But credit has to be given to their star striker Ivan Toney too. Playing in the Premier League for the first time since 2016, he was amongst the most productive forwards in the league registering 12 goals and 5 assists and was decisive in Brentford's unlikely final position of 13th in the league table.
(Lead Image Credit: William Okafor-Oregan)
He played for the first time since he sadly collapsed on the field at Euro 2022 with Denmark. But his return to play showed no signs of rustiness. With the quality on the ball and expert deliveries from crosses, he was instrumental for Brentford as they won seven of the 11 games he featured in.
But credit has to be given to their star striker Ivan Toney too. Playing in the Premier League for the first time since 2016, he was amongst the most productive forwards in the league registering 12 goals and 5 assists and was decisive in Brentford's unlikely final position of 13th in the league table.
(Lead Image Credit: William Okafor-Oregan)
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