My 2023 Teams of the Year

2023 has been an up and down year for a number of teams and players in what has been another incredible year of football. After another outstanding year of football, I've again decided to pick my best teams both in the Premier League and the world.

PREMIER LEAGUE TEAM OF THE YEAR

GK: ALISSON (LIVERPOOL) - Alisson was quite possibly the most consistent keeper in 2023 as he kept Liverpool in games time and time again by making many big and crucial saves. Without him the reds would not be where they are.

RB: KIERAN TRIPPIER (NEWCASTLE) - Trippier was excellent in both departments right throughout the year as Newcastle became one of the best teams in the league. Defensively he was solid as a rock whilst offensively he was his usual effective from both set plays and open play. He's been a key part of Newcastle's rise under Eddie Howe.

CB: WILLIAM SALIBA (ARSENAL) - One reason why Arsenal's title challenge crumbled last season was because of Saliba being injured right towards the end. He's made a massive difference for the Gunners defensively as he's given them that solid backbone they haven't had for many years.

CB: RUBEN DIAS (MAN CITY) - Dias made a massive difference for City towards the end of last season as they were a much improved team defensively. He makes a massive difference for them in department because of his leadership qualities and ability to read the game.

LB: OLEKSANDER ZINCHENKO (ARSENAL) - I couldn't think of many left backs who properly stood out in 2023 but if there was someone who did, it was Zinchenko. The Ukrainian was excellent at both ends for the Gunners all year round in being solid defensively and a threat going forward. He's also stepped up as a leader on the pitch.

RW: MOHAMED SALAH (LIVERPOOL) - Where would Liverpool be without this man. Salah has continued to prove how important he is to the reds by scoring the amount of goals he's scored. Only Erling Haaland netted more times than him in 2023 and without him, Liverpool wouldn't be the team they are.

CM: RODRI (MAN CITY) - Rodri was established himself further as one of if not the best holding midfielder in the world due to his ability to protect the defence and dictate play in the midfield. City aren't the same team without him as they don't control games in the same way as they do with him in the team.

CM: MARTIN ODEGAARD (ARSENAL) - Odegaard has been the difference for Arsenal this year with his ability to create and take control of games in the midfield. His creativity and goals were key in Arsenal's title challenge last season and his influence on the pitch has taken Arsenal onto another level.

LW: BUKAYO SAKA (ARSENAL) - I couldn't think of many left wingers who stood out throughout the year, so I put in Saka in as he is someone who did. His contributions were key to Arsenal challenging for the title last season and is once again proving his importance this season. He's grown a lot as a player in 2023 for both club and country.

ST: ERLING HAALAND (MAN CITY) - This guy just had to be in the team. Haaland broke the record for most goals in a domestic season last season with 36 as City went all the way and he has carried that form into this season with 14 so far.

ST: OLLIE WATKINS - Watkins netted 21 goals in 2023 with only Mo Salah and Erling Haaland scoring more. His goals at the back of last season were crucial in Villa qualifying for Europe and his goals so far this season have been crucial in their big for Champions League football.

MANAGER: PEP GUARDIOLA - Pep lead City to a third straight Premier League title last season before going on to lead his side to the treble. He's got City up there in contention once again this season as they look to win a fourth consecutive title in 2024.

WORLD TEAM OF THE YEAR

GK: EDERSON (MAN CITY/BRAZIL) - Ederson has without a doubt been the best keeper in 2023 as he's made many top class saves to keep City in games and has again been excellent with his distribution. His man of the match performance in the Champions League final showed why he's one of the best keepers around.

RB: KYLE WALKER (MAN CITY/ENGLAND) - He may be heading towards the latter stages of his career, but Walker still has that blistering pace he's always had. His pace is a key part of his game in both departments and it played a key role City's quest for the treble.

CB: RUBEN DIAS (MAN CITY/PORTUGAL) - Dias's return to the City side made a massive difference for them last season as they went on to win the treble. City are a better team defensively when he's in it due to his leadership qualities and ability to read the game.

CB: ALESSANDRO BASTONI (INTER MILAN/ITALY) - I couldn't think of many other centre backs who stood out in 2023 so I went with Bastoni as he was someone who did. He was a key player for them last season in their journey to the Champions League final and has been again this season as they're leading the way at the top of Serie A.

LB: FEDERICO DIMARCO (INTER MILAN/ITALY) - Dimarco has been excellent in both departments all year round by being solid defensively and always offering a threat when going forward. His performances at both ends were crucial in them reaching the Champions League final last season and have been again this season as Inter currently lead the way in Serie A.

RW: KYLIAN MBAPPE (PSG/FRANCE) - PSG might have bombed in the Champions League again, but Mbappe still continued to deliver the goods. His goals were again crucial in PSG winning Ligue 1 last season and is still showing why he's one of the best players around.

CM: RODRI (MAN CITY/SPAIN) - Rodri has further established himself as one of if not the best defensive midfielder in the world due to his ability to sit in front of the defence and dictate pay in the midfield. It was his goal in the Champions League final that secured the treble for City.

CM: JUDE BELLINGHAM (REAL MADRID/ENGLAND) - He might only be 20 years of age, but Bellingham is already looking like a world class player. He's certainly proved that since he's been at Madrid by scoring the amount of goals he has done and is now also a key player for England.

LW: VINICIUS JUNIOR (REAL MADRID/BRAZIL) - He might've missed the last chunk of the year through injury, but Vinicius still deserves to be in my team. He made a number of crucial contributions towards the end of last season and had he not been injured, he might've have more goals and assists to his name.

ST: ERLING HAALAND (MAN CITY/NORWAY) - How Haaland didn't win the Ballon D'or was beyond me. He netted 52 goals in all competitions last season as City won the treble and has carried that form into this season. He deserved it more than anyone.

ST: HARRY KANE (BAYERN MUNICH/ENGLAND) - After carrying an abject Spurs team in the first half of the year, Kane finally got himself a big move and he has taken it by storm ever since. He's already got more than 20 goals since moving to Bayern in the summer where he has further shown everyone why he's one of the best marksmen around.

MANAGER: PEP GUARDIOLA - Pep further established himself one of the best managers in the world by leading City to the treble which included the Champions League. He added to that further by leading his side to the Super Cup and later the Club World Cup. He's put City among the elite clubs in Europe.