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Harry Maguire Makes Garth Crooks' Premier League XI Of The Season

Harry Maguire Makes Garth Crooks' Premier League XI Of The Season

The Manchester United defender has been much maligned this season for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's team but made the BBC's pundit's team.

Ryan Sidle

Ryan Sidle

Garth Crooks has picked Harry Maguire in his Premier League 'Team of the Season,' despite most people criticising the Manchester United centre back in recent weeks.

The BBC Sport pundit has built a reputation over the years of mad selections and weird tactics in his Team of the Week column, but in recent seasons he's dialled back and picked more 'normal' teams.

However given the chance to pick his team of the year Garth has somewhat gone back to his roots. The former Spurs picked Maguire at centre back, despite recent criticism, and squeezed Raheem Sterling into his side by picking the Manchester City forward in central midfield.

Grooks' team of the season. Image: PA Images
Grooks' team of the season. Image: PA Images

Writing about his selections, the 62-year-old claimed Virgil van Dijk was amongst the best centre back he'd seen, comparing him with Paolo Maldini, saying, " I have seen them all - Ruud Krol, Franco Baresi, Paolo Maldini... and then there is Virgil van Dijk.

"The centre-back is in that class and has thrilled us with his performances for Liverpool for two seasons now. They seem to be getting even better. In fact commentators can't wait for Van Dijk to make the occasional mistake so they have a talking point."

Crooks' side includes Golden Glove winner Ederson with Liverpool full backs Andrew Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold flanking the two centre backs.

It's difficult to argue with those selections or Kevin de Bruyne and FWA Footballer of the Season winner Jordan Henderson in midfield, but Sterling being alongside them looks odd.

The City forward scored 20 goals in the league this season and only got one assist and he seems to have been crowbarred into midfield, with the pundit not even bothering to explain why, peak Garth!

Sterling celebrates scoring against Norwich on the last day of the season. Image: PA Images
Sterling celebrates scoring against Norwich on the last day of the season. Image: PA Images

Sterling misses out on a front three place to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Sadio Mane and Premier League top scorer Jamie Vardy.

The Arsenal captain bagged two goals on the last day of the season to get close to Vardy but the Leicester City man hung on, despite him and his team missing out on the top four and a Champions League spot.

Who would be in your Team of the Season? Let us know in the comments.

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Topics: Harry Maguire, jamie vardy, Football News, Manchester United, Team of the Season, Premier League, Jordan Henderson, Kevin de Bruyne