Premier League Awards at the midway point of the year

The Premier League season has reached its half way point and Liverpool find themselves at the top of the League, six points clear of Totttenham in second place with the Merseyside club unbeaten in the League thus far.

Man City and Chelsea complete the Champions League places while at the other end, Huddersfield, Fulham and Burnely make up the bottom three.

With each team having played 19 games thus far, we give out our mid-season awards.

Player of the Year

Virgil Van Dijk

Since his arrrival at Anfiled in January, the Dutch defender has transformed Liverpool’s fortunes. The Champions League journey to the final was an indication into his quality but Van Dijk has stepped it up another level since the beginning of this season.

Happy to win the PFA Player of the month for November 💯🔥 Thanks to all of the fans who voted and of course to all of my teammates! pic.twitter.com/ILBduoMYNh

— Virgil van Dijk (@VirgilvDijk) December 18, 2018

Van Dijk has been the key figure in a Liverpool defence that have conceded only seven goals in their opening nineteen fixtures. Alongside summer signing Alisson, Van Dijk has turned Liverool from defnsive liabilities to rock-solid in the back.

His presence has seen those around him improve immeasurably with Andy Robertson and Joe Gomez excelling this season. The best player on the best team this season takes the crown of Player of the Year thus far.

Goal of the Season

Andros Townsend

There is no choice here.

See for yourself.

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Signing of the Season

Lucas Torreira

After over two decades in charge, Arsene Wenger left Arsenal in the summer with the club announcing that former Sevilla and PSG manager Unai Emere announced as his replacement.

One of his first signings was that of Uruguayan Lucas Torriera who was signed for £27 million. After a somewhat slow start, the midfield dynamo has been electric for the London club at the base of midfield.

During Arsenal’s recent 18-game unbeaten run, Torreira was names as Man of the Match in five successive games having taking to the Premier League with ease. He pips Alisson Becker and Felipe Anderson to the award.

Young Player of the Season

Aaron Wan-Bissako

Trent Arnold-Alexander has been outstanding for Liverpool this season as has David Brooks for Burnemouth. However, Wan-Bissaka has been continoulsy excellet for Crystal Palace this season in a side that are in mid-table.

Such was his early season form he earned the clubs Player of the Month award in August in his first full season with the club. At just 21-years-of-age, the right-back will be the interest of many clubs in the summer.

Ireland’s Declan Rice has also shown his ability in West Ham’s midfield in 2018.

Team of the Year

Alisson Becker has settled in brilliantly to life in the Premier League and has kept 12 clean sheets in his opening nineteen games in the division. Despite making a pair of mistakes that led to goals, he is yet to concede twice in a game and hasn’t tasted defeat in the Premier League.

Irishmann Matt Doherty has been the outstanding right-back in the league this term, notching three goals for newly promote Wolves. Alongside him slots in Man City centre-half Aymeric Laporte who has been brilliant for the defending champions. Van Dijk is the obvious choice as the other centre-half and is joined by Liverpool teammate Andy Robertson at left-full who continues to prove his worth for for Jurgen Klopp.

Mourinho: "LFC play 200mph with and without the ball. I am still tired to look at Robertson. He makes a 100m sprint per minute! Incredible." #LFC #MUFC

— Neil Jones (@neiljonesgoal) December 16, 2018

Lucas Torreira is partnered in Midfield by Man City’s Fernandinho. The Brazilian’s impact has been felt in recent weeks as his absence from the side has coincided with three defeats in four.

Raheem Stering and Eden Hazard occupy the spots on either flank. While their form has slightly dipped in recent weeks, they are both more than worthy of their spot on the team as game winners for their respective sides.

Up front, the current league top scorer Pierrre-Emerick Aubameyang partners last season’s top scorer Mohammed Salah. Both men have been in blistering form this season and alongside Harry Kane is promises to be a thrilling race for the golden boot.

#PL TOP SCORERS

13 – @Aubameyang7
12 – @MoSalah, @HKane
10 – @hazardeden10
9 – @richarlison97, @sterling7 pic.twitter.com/3dcK3CSBUn

— Premier League (@premierleague) December 26, 2018

Alisson;

Matt Doherty, Aymeric Laporte, Virgil Van Dijk, Andy Roberston;

Raheem Sterling, Lucas Torreira, Fernandinho, Eden Hazard;

Mo Salah, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang