A couple of years ago, when Manchester City were at their dominant best, we brought you our current best in the Premier League eleven for October 2022.
Since then, things have changed a great deal. We’ve seen the emergence of Arsenal as genuine title contenders, Liverpool bouncing back, Aston Villa and Newcastle pushing hard for the top four and the return of a revitalised Chelsea this season.
All of which means that it is long overdue that we revisit the best in the Premier League XI for December 2024.
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Before we reveal our list for December 2024, let’s check back as to who made our Best in the Premier League XI back in October 2022!
Best in the Premier League – October 2022
Formation – 4-3-3
- GK – Alisson Becker (Liverpool)
- DR – Reece James (Chelsea)
- DL – Joao Cancelo (Manchester City)
- DC – Conor Coady (Everton)
- DC – William Saliba (Arsenal)
- DMC – Rodri (Manchester City)
- MC – Martin Odegaard (Arsenal)
- AMC – Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)
- AMR – Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal)
- AC – Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
- AML – Phil Foden (Manchester City)
There’s some interesting things to note with this team selection. Two players now play outside of the Premier League (Joao Cancelo and Conor Coady) but the other nine players all remain with the same clubs that they were with back in 2022.
So now let’s take a closer look at the best in the Premier League for December 2024.
Best In the Premier League – December 2024
Goalkeeper – David Raya (Arsenal)
There’s been plenty of excellent goalkeepers on show in the Premier League this season. Andre Onana (Man Utd), Caiominh Kelleher (Liverpool), Nick Pope (Newcastle) are all in the reckoning but David Raya has established himself as a top quality number one at Arsenal now and some of his performances for the Gunners this season have been outstanding making him our man between the sticks in this best in the Premier League XI for December!
Right Back – Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)
It seems ridiculous now to suggest that there is any better right back in the Premier League than Trent Alexander-Arnold. He may have been criticised in the past for a lack of defensive solidity, but this season he has improved significantly in that area, while being the same dangerous attacking threat that made him one of the best players in the Premier League. The only problem for Reds fans is that he may well be off to Real Madrid in the summer, if a new contract can’t be agreed.
Left Back – Antonee Robinson (Fulham)
The stats back up that Antonee Robinson has emerged as one of the best left backs in the Premier League this season. The Fulham star is blessed with outstanding pace, but his tactical acumen, stamina and ability to snuff out danger is also excellent. He has continued his superb form of last season into this with many top clubs believed to be interested in acquiring the United States international defender.
Centre Back – Gabriel (Arsenal)
The second Arsenal player in this list just beats out his team mate William Saliba and Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate. Gabriel’s defensive qualities are easy to see and he has made a secure partner alongside Saliba for Arsenal. However, it is also his additional goal threat in the final third, especially from set pieces, that saw him edge out the other players vying for this spot in the team. He deserves his spot in the best in the Premier League team for December 2024.
Centre Back – Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
Strange as it may seem, Virgil van Dijk didn’t make it onto the list for October 2022, but he is back with a bang in December 2024. The Dutchman may be past 30 years of age now, but he has been imperious at the heart of a miserly Liverpool defence. His threat at set pieces and going forward also have been notable, but his calmness and composure at the back has been the foundation upon which Liverpool’s successes of late have been built. He’d be captain of our best in the Premier League team right now.
Defensive Midfielder – Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool)
Perhaps the most improved player in the Premier League this season, Ryan Gravenberch looked a little lost at times after signing for Liverpool at the start of last season. However, since Arne Slot came in and made Gravenberch his first choice number six, the Dutchman has been sensational, knitting together defensive duties with attack superbly well and becoming a key part of Liverpool’s outstanding start to the season.
Midfielder – Dejan Kulusevski (Tottenham Hotspur)
Perhaps the most under-rated player in the Premier League, Dejan Kulusevski has emerged as one of Tottenham’s most consistent and talented players over the past 18 months. The Swedish international ran the game in Spurs recent 4-0 win over Manchester City and he has allied that quality with added goal threat and consistency, even in a Spurs team that has been inconsistent for most of this season.
Attacking Midfielder – Cole Palmer (Chelsea)
England’s latest new hope and Chelsea’s most important player. Cole Palmer has become one of the best players in the Premier League over the last 18 months. He is not only scoring plenty of goals, but creating them also. The £40m signing from Manchester City looks like a rare bargain for Chelsea, who have overspent on a lot of players recently, but in Palmer they look to have signed an absolute bargain.
Left Winger/Forward – Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
Not only is Bukayo Saka versatile and talented, the Arsenal winger is a regular scorer of goals for his club side too, and he creates just as many as he scores. He is a constant threat in wide areas for the Gunners and his uncanny ability to score crucial goals, often against the most important and dangerous opponents, makes him one of the first names on Arsenal and England team sheets when fit.
Right Winger/Forward – Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Salah has enjoyed a renaissance at Liverpool under Arne Slot. He has scored 11 goals in the Premier League, just one fewer than Erling Haaland but has also contributed seven assists. The Liverpool superstar is another of the Reds out of contract in the summer and if he were to leave, his loss would be a huge blow to the club and fans. One of the very best in the Premier League of any era.
Central Striker – Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
Manchester City may be struggling at present, but the Norwegian striking ace still leads the Premier League goalscoring charts. Haaland’s natural instinct to score goals is unmatched in the Premier League and although he is perhaps not quite in the deadly form that saw him an automatic selection in this team two years ago, his form is still good enough to warrant a selection as the central striking threat ahead of the likes of Chris Wood (Nottm Forest), Alexander Isak (Newcastle) and Liam Delap (Ipswich).
Best In The Premier League XI – Substitutes
We have also listed seven substitutes, one goalkeeper and two from each of the other positions, for players who have had a great season but who didn’t quite make it into the best in the Premier League XI for 2024.
- GK – Andre Onana (Manchester United)
- Def – Murilo (Nottingham Forest)
- Def – Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool)
- Mid – Curtis Jones (Liverpool)
- Mid – Martin Odegaard (Arsenal)
- Att – Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford)
- Att – Chris Wood (Nottingham Forest)
