Alan Shearer, the Premier League’s all-time record goalscorer and Hall of Fame inductee, has revealed his Team of the Season for the 2023/24 campaign. The former Newcastle United striker has picked a 4-2-4 formation, featuring players from six different clubs.
Shearer has selected an extremely attacking quartet ahead of the midfield pair, with the Premier League’s joint top scorer (alongside Haaland) Mohamed Salah on the right flank. On the left Shearer has picked Son Heung-min, who has become Spurs’ talisman this term after the summer departure of Harry Kane.
In the centre, Shearer has opted for two surprise choices: Darwin Nunez of Brighton and Moussa Diaby of West Ham. Nunez, who joined the Seagulls from Benfica in January, has scored 14 goals in 17 games, helping Brighton secure a Europa League spot. Diaby, who arrived from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer, has been equally impressive, netting 16 goals and providing 12 assists for the Hammers, who finished fourth.
Shearer has snubbed Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, who scored 32 goals in the league but failed to inspire his team to retain the title. Shearer said that Haaland’s goals were not enough to make up for his lack of involvement in the build-up play and his poor attitude.
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In midfield, Shearer has chosen Rodri of Manchester City and Declan Rice of Arsenal as his holding duo. Rodri, who was named the PFA Player of the Year, was the linchpin of City’s midfield, dictating the tempo and breaking up the opposition’s attacks. Rice, who captained Arsenal to their first title since 2004, was a dominant force in the centre of the park, scoring 10 goals and making eight assists.
In defence, Shearer has gone for a back four of Trent Alexander-Arnold, John Stones, William Saliba and Pervis Estupinan. Alexander-Arnold, who was the league’s top assist-maker with 18, was a constant threat from the right flank, while also improving his defensive duties. Stones, who was part of the league’s best defence with City, was a rock at the back, showing great composure and leadership. Saliba, who returned to Arsenal from a loan spell at Nice, was a revelation at the heart of the defence, displaying maturity and elegance. Estupinan, who joined Brighton from Villarreal, was a marauding left-back, contributing six goals and 10 assists.
In goal, Shearer has picked Nick Pope of Newcastle, who kept 15 clean sheets and made 132 saves for the Magpies, who finished sixth under Steve Bruce.
Shearer’s Team of the Season: Pope; Alexander-Arnold, Stones, Saliba, Estupinan; Rodri, Rice; Salah, Nunez, Diaby, Son.
