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6 months ago
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Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher have revealed their respective Premier League teams of the year, with Arsenal and Man City players dominating both squads, but their was no space for Erling Haaland in the Liverpool icon's side.
The Premier League will bring another season to a dramatic close on Sunday with City and Arsenal taking the title race to the final day of the season, with the final relegation spot also still not secured.
The iconic Sky Sports duo previously gave their top picks for the campaign last summer and have now revealed their picks for their best Premier League XI of the season.
Former Man United star, Neville, and Liverpool legend, Carragher, put together two teams that bring together their opinion on the best players throughout the year, with no United stars included in either squad.
However, both decided on six players that make both of their teams, with a selection of Arsenal and City stars making the cut alongside one Chelsea player.
Gary Neville (right) and Jamie Carragher (left) have revealed their respective Premier League teams of the year
Seven players from Arsenal, Man City and Chelsea were included by both in their teams
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice was a prominent feature in both of the dream teams
Man City midfielder Rodri was amongst seven players to be included in both teams
Arsenal defender William Saliba and Gabriel make up the heart of both Carragher and Neville's defences after starring by conceding the least amount of goals in the Premier League.
Meanwhile, Gunners captain Martin Odegaard partners team-mate Declan Rice and Man City's holding midfielder Rodri in midfield.
Chelsea's Cole Palmer - who has enjoyed a breakthrough debut campaign at Stamford Bridge - and City's Phil Foden were the only attackers to feature in both squads.
Neville was first to reveal his full XI and set his dream team up in a 4-3-3 formation.
NEVILLE'S TOTY: GK: Emi Martinez (Aston Villa), RB: Ben White (Arsenal), CB: WIlliam Saliba (Arsenal), CB: Gabriel Arsenal), LB: Destiny Udogie (Spurs), CM: Martin Odegaard Arsenal), CM: Rodri (Man City), CM: Declan Rice (Arsenal), RM: Cole Palmer (Chelsea), LM: Phil Foden (Man City), ST: Erling Haaland (Man City).
Meanwhile, Carragher preferred a 3-2-4-1 formation and opted to pick Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford between the sticks, despite Arsenal's David Raya winning the Premier League's 'golden glove' award.
The 46-year-old also criticised Erling Haaland's contribution to Man City's campaign as 'disappointing', despite the Norwegian leading the Premier League's golden boot race with 25 goals in 29 games and instead opted for Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins upfront.
CARRAGHER'S TOTY: GK: Jordan Pickford (Everton), CB: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), CB: WIlliam Saliba (Arsenal), CB: Gabriel (Arsenal), CM: Rodri (Man City), CM: Declan Rice (Arsenal), RM: Cole Palmer (Chelsea), CAM: Kevin de Bruyne (Man City), LM: Phil Foden (Man City), ST: Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa).
Carragher labelled some of Haaland's for Man City this season as 'disappointing' when explaining his omission
Carragher explained that Haaland had struggled in games against top teams such as Arsenal this season
The Liverpool legend instead picked Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins (pictured) to lead his attack
Explaining his decision not to include Haaland, Carragher claimed that the Norwegian has been 'disappointing' in the biggest games across the Premier League and Champions League.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Carragher explained: 'Well, the reason I would go for Ollie Watkins, I think his numbers, there's not much difference in the numbers when you put the goals and assists together. He's playing for Aston Villa. He's playing for Manchester City.
'And actually, when I think of Erling Haaland this season, listen, we know he's the best striker, you know, we get that. But this season, I actually think in the biggest the games, I've been slightly disappointed with Haaland.
'Maybe even sort of the Champions League against Real Madrid, the games against Arsenal, Liverpool as well, when he's come up against the real elite defenders. I think the elite defenders have got the better of them,' he added.
Neville attempted to fight Haaland's corner having picked the superstar in his team, stating: 'Do you know something you only realise when you have these players, this is a special player. One of the greatest in the world is goal scoring.
'His numbers will go on to dominate world football for the next 567, years, in my opinion. And he just has to be in there. You can think about giving someone else a chance, and that would be the emotional, compassionate way to look at it.
'But every centre forward, every club in the league, if you could name a centre forward, and they could take one, would name him,' he said.
Neville further scolded Carragher's picks, adding: 'He doesn't believe what he's saying. He doesn't even believe it himself.
'This year, I can honestly this year, he doesn't even believe his own team. He's created a system that doesn't exist,' he said.
Neville and Carragher's Individual Awards
Having named their best teams of the year, both Neville and Carragher continued to give their verdicts on a host of other individual accolades, covering the Premier League's best player of the year, best newcomer and best coach amongst other categories.
The discussion over the best player of the season largely focused on a battle between Foden, Palmer, and Odegaard, with two of the three being picked by the pundits.
Carragher hailed Palmer as being a 'sensational' player for Chelsea before picking Foden ahead of him, whiel Neville opted for Arsenal skipper Odegaard.
Palmer was named by both as the Premier League's young player of the year.
There was further agreement on the best signing of the season as Arsenal midfielder Rice was credited for his outstanding performances in helping Mikel Arteta's side take the title race to the final day.
The England international moved to the Emirates in a £107m summer transfer from London rivals West Ham and has gone on to become an influential part of Arteta's team.
Each also named the team that they believed has overachieved more than any other in the English top-flight.
Carragher chose Aston Villa after the club moved to within touching distance of the Champions League following Monday's 3-3 draw against Liverpool.
Neville chose Bournemouth who were previously tipped by the United legend to be relegated at the start of the season and have gone on to be with a chance of a top-half finish.
Meawhile, Manchester Untied were named by both as the biggest underachievers following a disastrous second year at the club for under-fire manager Erik ten Hag.
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