Premier League Team of the Season: Rice and Fernandes lead the way in star-studded side

[p]Arsenal lifted the Premier League trophy after ending their season on a high by [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/arsenal-hA1Zm19f/crystal-palace-AovF1Mia/?mid=UNC9hLMj"]beating Crystal Palace 2-1[/a], while Sunderland secured Europa League qualification [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/chelsea-4fGZN2oK/sunderland-WSzc94ws/?mid=40PohCS7"]by winning 2-1 against Chelsea.[/a][/p][p]Bournemouth managed the same feat after [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/bournemouth-OtpNdwrc/nottingham-UsushcZr/?mid=roywfYce"]their 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest[/a], and Manchester United rounded out the campaign [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/brighton-2XrRecc3/manchester-utd-ppjDR086/?mid=xQXUa3UG"]in style by thrashing Brighton 3-0[/a].[/p][p]Elsewhere, Manchester City waved goodbye to club legends Bernardo Silva, John Stones and Pep Guardiola [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/aston-villa-W00wmLO0/manchester-city-Wtn9Stg0/?mid=zLXUefTr"]with a 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa[/a] and Liverpool said farewell to Mohamed Salah and Andrew Robertson in [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/brentford-xYe7DwID/liverpool-lId4TMwf/?mid=Iqg4E2qA"]their 1-1 draw with Brentford.[/a][/p][p]Instead of our usual Team of the Week, though, [i][b]Flashscore[/b][/i] will be compiling a Team of the Season based on average player ratings throughout the campaign. We'll also include a couple of 'honourable mentions' (HM:) for those players who just missed out in each position.[/p][p]Disclaimer - players must have played at least two-thirds of the campaign (26+ appearances) to gain a spot in our side.[/p][image alt="Premier League Team of the Season" id="f710d5d0-90db-4c45-a9f6-a97c18a679f6" credit-line="Flashscore" guid="9bc65e19-ddeb-4c95-9815-64469c12f296" original-width="1080" original-height="1350" /][h2]Goalkeeper[/h2][p][b][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/donnarumma-gianluigi/WScbdXmL/"]Gianluigi Donnarumma[/a] ([a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/manchester-city/Wtn9Stg0/"]Manchester City[/a]) - 6.9[/b][/p][p]Donnarumma had an impressive debut season with Manchester City, helping Guardiola's side to keep 15 clean sheets as they finished second in the league.[/p][p]The Italian made 78 saves throughout the campaign and tied for the highest average rating among goalkeepers in the division, but gets the nod ahead of Senne Lammens and Emi Martinez for keeping more clean sheets and his side finishing higher in the table.[/p][p][i]HM: [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/lammens-senne/UFssg7X4/"]Senne Lammens[/a] (6.9), [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/martinez-emiliano/ziCcc5jM/"]Emi Martinez[/a] (6.9)[/i][/p][embed guid="e7b72b56-f9aa-4eb5-935e-e94304731e3f" url="https://x.com/ManCity/status/2045970209945579762" social-type="twitter" /][h2]Defenders[/h2][p][b][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/van-dijk-virgil/U59RNqOr/"]Virgil van Dijk[/a] ([a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/liverpool/lId4TMwf/"]Liverpool[/a]) - 7.3[/b][/p][p]Liverpool endured a tough time in their defence of the Premier League title and could only manage a fifth-placed finish - although Van Dijk still impressed with a solid individual campaign.[/p][p]The Dutchman played every fixture for Liverpool and contributed with 275 clearances, 26 blocks, 87 recoveries and 28 interceptions for a side that often sees the majority of possession.[/p][p]He also bagged six goals - a career-best for his 12 seasons in the Premier League.[/p][p][i]HM: [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/matheus-nunes/bXbvxFWS/"]Matheus Nunes[/a] (7.3)[/i][/p][image alt="Van Dijk 2025/26 season stats" id="f345255b-b296-4e54-b481-533a8fd58910" credit-line="Opta by StatsPerform / REUTERS/Phil Noble" guid="dc2c93f1-8145-4fff-91c9-4987834756f9" original-width="1080" original-height="1080" /][p][b][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/senesi-marcos/tzX63L7E/"]Marcos Senesi[/a] ([a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/bournemouth/OtpNdwrc/"]Bournemouth[/a]) - 7.4[/b][/p][p]Perhaps one of the unsung heroes of the Premier League this season - starring for a club that has equally gone slightly under the radar - Bournemouth defender Senesi has been excellent across the last 10 months.[/p][p]Senesi has played a vital role in getting the Cherries into the Europa League and will leave the club when his contract expires in the summer.[/p][p]The Argentine particularly picked up form in the second half of the campaign and was a key component to Bournemouth's 18-game unbeaten run.[/p][p][i]HM: [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/van-hecke-jan-paul/WG59HGIH/"]Jan Paul van Hecke[/a] (7.2)[/i][/p][embed guid="358918c2-9fc1-4d11-b74c-29109ded1072" url="https://x.com/senesimarcos/status/2058674409070555376" social-type="twitter" /][p][b][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/guehi-marc/KEeklutO/"]Marc Guehi[/a] ([a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/crystal-palace/AovF1Mia/"]Crystal Palace[/a]/Manchester City) - 7.3[/b][/p][p]Guehi is the only player in our side to have featured for multiple clubs in the Premier League this term - and he has excelled for both of them.[/p][p]His 20 appearances for Crystal Palace earned a respectable average of 7.1, but his 15 games in the second part of the campaign for Manchester City are where he really stepped up.[/p][p]Guehi averaged a [b]7.5 [i]Flashscore[/i] rating [/b]playing for City, which takes his overall score to 7.3 after another impressive run.[/p][p][i]HM: [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/gabriel/tEcnVXMS/"]Gabriel[/a] (7.2)[/i][/p][image alt="Guehi 2025/26 season stats" id="fea02ba5-d54b-4a7d-ad12-54ca0a12380f" credit-line="Opta by StatsPerform / Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs" guid="c072dcb5-757f-45ba-b1a5-38f059d10219" original-width="1080" original-height="1080" /][h2]Midfielders[/h2][p][b][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/saka-bukayo/08NLEo06/"]Bukayo Saka[/a] ([a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/arsenal/hA1Zm19f/"]Arsenal[/a]) - 7.4[/b][/p][p]The first of two Arsenal title-winners to make our side, Saka registered seven goals and five assists as the Gunners reached the Premier League summit.[/p][p]The England international played a key role in Mikel Arteta's side and Arsenal often looked a much better team with the 24-year-old out on the right wing.[/p][p]Aside from his direct goal contributions, Saka also completed 50 dribbles and made 56 key passes.[/p][p][i]HM: [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/szoboszlai-dominik/dERKtqoo/"]Dominik Szoboszlai[/a] (7.2)[/i][/p][embed guid="521a69c1-fe06-4b72-a67c-99d622939433" url="https://x.com/Arsenal/status/2058620456475693209" social-type="twitter" /][p][b][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/rice-declan/zkQ8Cm6n/"]Declan Rice[/a] (Arsenal) - 7.6[/b][/p][p]Another Arsenal star to make our Team of the Season is Rice; the midfielder was absolutely vital on the journey to a first title in 22 years.[/p][p]An individual contribution of four goals and five assists only tells part of the story. Set-pieces dominated the narrative surrounding Arsenal and the season as a whole - and Rice's delivery was exceptional throughout.[/p][p]He was also effective defensively and made 35 tackles, 37 interceptions, 180 recoveries and 78 clearances.[/p][p][i]HM: [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/garner-james/zctP50uI/"]James Garner[/a] (7.3)[/i][/p][image alt="Rice 2025/26 season stats" id="15496752-2800-44a6-afba-4a504cb4cfc7" credit-line="Opta by StatsPerform / REUTERS/Hannah Mckay" guid="15c313c7-9361-4818-a817-4bc96f34df80" original-width="1080" original-height="1080" /][p][b][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/xhaka-granit/QBHCDKff/"]Granit Xhaka[/a] ([a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/sunderland/WSzc94ws/"]Sunderland[/a]) - 7.4[/b][/p][p]Sunderland secured Europa League football after only being promoted a year ago and midfield general Xhaka was the focal point of their historic return to the top flight.[/p][p]After being named captain swiftly following his summer arrival, Xhaka set the tone on and off the pitch for an incredible campaign for the Black Cats.[/p][p]His undoubted leadership qualities are backed up by the stats at both ends of the pitch - with the Swiss international registering six assists, 28 key passes, 33 tackles won, 29 interceptions, 85 clearances and 179 recoveries.[/p][p][i]HM: [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/anderson-elliott/KdYCbsbE/"]Elliot Anderson[/a] (7.3)[/i][/p][embed guid="b4e5a986-eae2-4f36-9b95-95d4a211c318" url="https://x.com/SunderlandAFC/status/2058606629004685408" social-type="twitter" /][p][b][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/bruno-guimaraes/xtyKanzU/"]Bruno Guimaraes[/a] ([a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/newcastle-utd/p6ahwuwJ/"]Newcastle[/a]) - 7.4[/b][/p][p]Despite a disappointing year for the club as a whole, Newcastle midfielder Guimaraes enjoyed a top individual season.[/p][p]The Brazilian was a central figure in the majority of the positive aspects of the Magpies' campaign and enjoyed a career-best 14 goal contributions (nine goals, five assists).[/p][p]His all-round displays were equally impressive; Guimaraes managed 40 key passes, 43 tackles and 135 recoveries.[/p][p][i]HM: [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/fernandez-enzo/nZnbEVWP/"]Enzo Fernandez[/a] (7.3)[/i][/p][embed guid="010a870d-3880-4e2a-a331-36560abae234" url="https://x.com/brunoog97/status/2058652274923106756#" social-type="twitter" /][p][b][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/cherki-mathis/vm0eu2V3/"]Rayan Cherki[/a] (Manchester City) - 7.4[/b][/p][p]One of the signings of the season, Manchester City star Cherki has been a delight to watch during his debut campaign in England.[/p][p]The winger has dazzled with his superb skill and excellent footwork, while also backing that up with four goals and 12 assists.[/p][p]His threat outside of direct goal contributions was also prominent, with Cherki making 48 key passes and completing 51 dribbles in his 33 appearances.[/p][p][i]HM: [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/doku-jeremy/lMHcYK4f/"]Jeremy Doku[/a] (7.3)[/i][/p][embed guid="3ed642d6-1efb-41da-bef1-ecb977f235c3" url="https://x.com/ManCity/status/2045971951739617684" social-type="twitter" /][h2]Forwards[/h2][p][b][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/fernandes-bruno/GYvAMDm2/"]Bruno Fernandes[/a] ([a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/manchester-united/ppjDR086/"]Manchester United[/a]) - 8.0[/b][/p][p][b][i]Flashscore's[/i] Premier League Player of the Season[/b] by a considerable distance, Fernandes spearheaded a superb Manchester United side to a third-placed finish.[/p][p]The Portuguese international registered 30 goal contributions (nine goals, 21 assists) and broke the record for the most assists registered in a single season.[/p][p]His form in 2026 has been particularly eye-catching, with Fernandes earning [b][i]Flashscore's[/i] Player of the Match[/b] in 12 of his 19 league games.[/p][p][b][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/news/football-premier-league-premier-league-player-of-the-season-fernandes-stars-in-record-breaking-run/SQznwNMG/"]Read more as Bruno Fernandes is named [i]Flashscore's[/i] Premier League Player of the Season.[/a][/b][/p][p][i]HM: [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/joao-pedro/CAmJERl2/"]Joao Pedro[/a] (7.1)[/i][/p][image alt="Fernandes 2025/26 season stats" id="de29d56e-48a3-4bca-8d01-d4e55e86b8c7" credit-line="Opta by StatsPerform, / REUTERS/David Klein" guid="3cd39368-c69a-47bc-adf5-5783843aaa3a" original-width="1080" original-height="1080" /][p][b][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/haaland-erling/UmV9iQmE/"]Erling Haaland[/a] (Manchester City) - 7.4[/b][/p][p]Yet another season has gone by where Haaland has led the scoring charts for pretty much the entire year, and the Norwegian bagged 27 as Manchester City finished second in the table.[/p][p]He also provided eight assists to take his overall contributions to 35 for the season - the most of any player in the entire division.[/p][p]His 7.4 average was the best of all the strikers in England's top flight, and Haaland rounds out our [b]2025/26 Premier League Team of the Season.[/b][/p][p][i]HM: [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/ekitike-hugo/ltVXPlJU/"]Hugo Ekitike[/a] (7.1)[/i][/p][image alt="Premier League top scorers 2025/26" id="d9255dfd-a926-47e1-a882-87b28cd9f546" credit-line="Opta by StatsPerform / REUTERS/Chris Radburn" guid="c984d9f0-afce-4f7a-b325-0d11d0a5beb5" original-width="1080" original-height="1080" /]