Who makes Sportsmail’s team of the year 2020?
Liverpool ended their long wait for a league title in 2020, and it is no surprise to see Jurgen Klopp‘s champions dominate Sportsmail’s reporters’ players and teams of the year.
But there have been plenty of standout performances from elsewhere in an extraordinary year that saw one season almost curtailed by a global pandemic, and another start behind closed doors.
Bruno Fernandes, Jack Grealish and Kevin De Bruyne have earned rave reviews for their contributions across the year, but who else makes the cut?
Liverpool ended their 30-year wait for a league title by getting their hands on the trophy in July
Matt Barlow
Player of 2020 – Jack Grealish
An absolute delight to watch. He was central to Villa’s survival and a key factor in their transformation into something better this season with players around him to suit his style. Imaginative, adventurous and strong on the ball. Stepped confidently into the England team. Wish he didn’t fall over so easily but the same can be said about many others at the moment.
Team of 2020
(4-2-3-1) – Martinez; Justin, Dier, Evans, Robertson; Rice, De Bruyne; Salah, Fernandes, Grealish; Calvert-Lewin.
Solidity and dependability in central defence shielded by Declan Rice, the best of the screeners. Pace, stamina and delivery from the full-back area. James Justin has been outstanding for Leicester this season. Lots of flair and creativity in the midfield (and this lot will win a lot of penalties). Calvert-Lewin to lead the line because of his athleticism and strike-rate this season but it could easily have been Jamie Vardy, Harry Kane or Roberto Firmino, who have all been exceptional.
Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish has enjoyed a standout 2020 after breaking into the England team
Joe Bernstein
Player of 2020 – Jordan Henderson
The glue that held Liverpool together to not only win the Premier League title but now top the table again despite an injury crisis. When people talk about the greatest captains over the last 30 years, they think of Roy Keane, John Terry, Vincent Kompany and Patrick Vieira. Henderson somehow seems less cool but he’s not finished yet. In 10 years, he’ll be on the list for the drive and leadership he brings to Jurgen Klopp’s astonishing team
Team of 2020
(4-3-3-) – Ederson; Alexander-Arnold, Maguire, Van Dijk, Robertson; De Bruyne, Henderson, Grealish; Salah, Kane, Sterling
It’s hard to assess the calendar year when it’s been split into three parts; the pre-March lockdown, the end of 2019-20 with Project Restart, and now the current season. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk were so good in the first two phases, they get in despite limited contributions in this campaign. He’s made some mistakes but overall Harry Maguire has been very consistent and been that captain Manchester United have missed. Jack Grealish is the one player from outside the Big Six to deserve his place. He has been outstanding in all phases, first during a relegation battle and now helping Aston Villa chase for Europe.
Jordan Henderson was crowned the Footballer of the Year after leading Liverpool to glory
Dominic King
Player of 2020 – Jordan Henderson
It is important to be consistent in this profession and having written about why Liverpool’s captain should be honoured in January, then having nominated him again in July, there is no reason to change the opinion in December. The 30-year-old had an absolutely outstanding season and he was just as important off the pitch. Liverpool are the team to beat and they are always better when Henderson is in midfield. He influenced the biggest games and set the tone for the champions.
Team of 2020
(4-3-3) – Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Maguire, Robertson; Fernandes, Henderson, De Bruyne; Salah, Vardy, Mane
A team top-heavy with Liverpool players but how can that be argued against, given the champions were so dominant? Harry Maguire doesn’t always get praise but he’s been consistent for Manchester United. It would be interesting, meanwhile, to see how much Mohamed Salah and Jamie Vardy would pass to each other if they were in the same team…
Jamie Vardy has continued to bang in the goals for Leicester throughout the calendar year
Adrian Kajumba
Player of 2020 – Bruno Fernandes
Statistically and impact-wise, there can be little argument. Has been the best performing attacking player in the league during the year, scoring 18 and setting up 14 goals since his arrival last January. The signing of last season and likely to be a strong contender for the player of this season based on his contribution so far this campaign. Has transformed Manchester United so much that they now can’t function without him and, regardless of whether he is at his very best, he constantly affects games.
Team of 2020
(4-1-3-2) – Martinez; James, Coady, Evans, Robertson; Fabinho; Son, Fernandes, Grealish; Kane, Calvert-Lewin.
Had to go attack heavy to cram some of the league’s best forwards in, though some I could not make space for deserve a mention, including the likes of Jamie Vardy, Bukayo Saka and Wilfried Zaha. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg might be in the running for team of this season too, though not 2020.
Bruno Fernandes has made a stunning impact for Manchester United since arriving in January
Daniel Matthews
Player of 2020 – Bruno Fernandes
In their final game of the pre-Bruno era, Manchester United were beaten at home by Burnley. The result left them fifth in the table – six points off fourth, 14 behind third-place Leicester. By the end of the season, of course, United had clinched third. Now, at the end of 2020 they sit second, on the heels of Liverpool. Make no mistake: Fernandes has dragged them up the table. After assisting Marcus Rashford’s winner against Wolves, Fernandes has scored 18 goals and created 14 in 29 Premier League appearances since he joined. No one can match that.
Team of 2020
(4-3-3) – Martinez; Alexander-Arnold, Bednarek, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, De Bruyne, Fernandes; Salah, Vardy, Son
Imagine predicting at the start of 2020 that Emi Martinez would be a regular Premier League No 1, let alone among the standout keepers of the calendar year. But what an impact he made at Arsenal and now at Villa. Jan Bednarek, meanwhile, is rewarded for being the defensive mainstay of a resurgent Southampton, who (as of Wednesday) have been the fifth-best Premier League side in 2020. Many of the rest pick themselves. Liverpool have been the standout side but there have been exceptional individuals elsewhere. The frustration? There wasn’t space for Jack Grealish, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Harry Kane, Sadio Mane…
Few would have predicted Emiliano Martinez’s incredible performances in 2020
