The European football team of the season 2016-17

The end of football in Europe has arrived. In England Chelsea wrapped up yet another league title under the guidance of new manager Antonio Conte. In France Monaco stopped PSG’s dominance with a very deserved and hard fought title win. Real Madrid finally won La Liga after a 5 year win less spell. But some things never change, in Serie A Juventus wrapped up their 6th consecutive title and Bayern Munich eased to yet another Bundesliga title.

There have been some superb performances this season and this will be celebrated below in the European team of the season. The format takes a 3-5-2 system.

Goalkeeper- Gianluigi Buffon

Simply outstanding for yet another season, Buffon has simply been a rock in goal for Juventus. His exploits have heavily influenced the Italians reaching a 2nd Champions League final in three years. It’s the one title he craves for as Juve look to win their treble this season. He’s conceded just 1 goal in the knock out stages of the competition and some of his saves against Monaco alone were worthy of inclusion here. There really isn’t anyone else who can touch the 39 year old at present.

Defender- Marcelo

The Brazilian has been consistant for a number of years now, but this season seems to have been his best as an individual. His timing in his tackles has improved as Real have become a constant thorn in their rivals sides. Marcelo has developed as a player and has so much confidence on the ball. Never afraid to go forward to, so he keeps that Brazilian tradition up, and his pace is electrifying.

Defender- Giorgio Chilleni

The Juventus man has been arguably the best Italian defender for a number of years now. His experience is second to none and he was born to play in the role of defender. He is now celebrating his 6th Serie A title in a row and like Buffon was pivotal to Juventus’ progress to this years Champions League final. He is part of a defence who has let in 26 goals this season which is the fewest in the league.

Defender-Leonardo Bonucci

Again we turn to another Juventus player. Bonucci, who plays the game so calm and can almost second guess what will happen before it does. His partnership with Chilleni could well go down as one of the great ones. Bonucci was once seen as spare parts by Inter, but the joke was on them that they let this talented Italian leave. Has had another tremendous season.

Midfielder- Cristiano Ronaldo

Of course because of his goals Ronaldo seems to fit into the more forward line of thinking. But the Portuguese has always been known as more of an attacking midfielder. Now into his 30′s Ronaldo shows no signs of slowing down. He hasn’t scored as many goals in the league as he’d like, but the goals that he has got have always been so important. Another title was added to his growing collection at the weekend and now he will be looking to win back to back Champions League, which has yet to be done. Quite simply Ronaldo has been irresistible this season just like the 10 that preceded it.

Midfielder- Eden Hazard

Serious questions were asked last season when Hazard and Chelsea had a nightmare and collapsed. Just how good was Hazard? Well this season he has proved just how good he is. His silky runs, dribbles, great play off the ball and his wonderful goals have underlined Hazard as one of the best players in Europe. He’s the very one player in England that when he has the ball everyone takes a deep breathe. Superb and highly consistant.

Midfielder- Bernardo Silva

The Monaco man is one of the reasons they are celebrating the Ligue 1 title. A brilliant distributor of the ball, with an eye for a great tackle, Silva has been phenomenal this season. He also scores goals and Monaco will do well to hold on to the Brazilian. One of the very best players in France right now.

Midfielder- N’golo Kante

Everyone could see how brilliant Kante was at Leicester and was a major reason Leicester surprised everyone with a league title. At Chelsea he has grown in stature to become one of the very best players, and now he has won 2 league titles in a row with different clubs. Kante has been magnificent this season where many after his Premier League player of the year regard him as one of the very best mid fielders in the world.

Midfielder- Lionel Messi

The Argentinian is here again of course and it was difficult to leave him out even if Barcelona have been underwhelming this season. Messi still got 37 goals in La Liga easily the most in the league. His goals and influence have been sublime and even though this has clearly not been his best season he has still for moments clearly been far and away the best player on the planet.

Forward- Gonzalo Higuian

Higuian moved to Juventus in an £80m deal and the pressure was on the forward to deliver. And he did. 24 goals in Serie A may not put him top of the pile but he was part of a team and he did deliver the goals that gave Juventus their 6th title in a row. He continues to score goals at a superb rate and gives Juventus an all round completion. One of the very best centre forwards in Europe.

Forward- Harry Kane

The Tottenham forward simply couldn’t be ignored as he finished top of the goal scorers in England with 29. Kane has been brilliantly consistent for Spurs scoring those 29 goals from just 30 matches and in the last two seasons he now has 54 goals from just 68 games. The future is certainly bright for Kane.