After eleven games this season, who makes the back line?
Eleven games into the 2016/17 campaign, this season is shaping up to be one of the closest fought in years. All 20 teams have recruited over the summer – some better than others.
In part one of our combined look at the best transfer XI of the summer, we first focus on the back four and goalkeeper. So who makes the cut?
With a dearth of quality in the right-back position that have made the switch during the summer, playing a 3-4-3 seems apropo as the go-to system of the moment.
In the goalkeeping department, Everton have recruited well with Marten Stekelenburg, whilst Claudio Bravo has suffered an indifferent start to life at Manchester City, despite holding the highest pass percentage of all stoppers – a trait which Pep Guardiola emphasizes as vital.
Instead, Stoke City’s Lee Grant gets the nod. The Potters’ on-loan stopper has played a large part in Mark Hughes’ side’s resurgence in recent weeks.
Losing four of their opening five games with veteran Shay Given between the sticks – conceding 14 goals in the process – Grant was brought in from Derby County in the final days of the transfer window.
Manchester United’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic has a shot saved by Stoke City’s Lee Grant
Deputising also for the injured Jack Butland, since the 33 year-old has been installed into Hughes starting XI, Stoke have not lost a league game, making a combined total of 20 stops in six outings.
In only his second game, Grant made eight saves versus Manchester United and repeatedly frustrated Jose Mourinho’s side as The Potters took away a surprise point away from Old Trafford.
With Butland closing on a return, Stoke’s recruitment of the former England U21 has nonetheless proved to be shrewd business if only in the short term.
Burnley’s Sam Vokes in action with Arsenal’s Shkodran Mustafi
In central defence Shkodran Mustafi has added a new stability to Arsenal’s defence. Together with Laurent Koscielny, the German’s arrival from Valencia has finally given The Gunners a mobile and muscular back line.
Mustafi has kept three clean sheets in eight games and boasts healthy statistics as per WhoScored with an average of 5.3 clearances, three successful aerial duels and 3.4 interceptions, all per game.
On the right of the German, based on his price tag of a paltry £12m, Ashley Williams gets the nod. The Everton man has been a relative snip for The Toffees after his switch from Swansea City in the summer.
Everton’s Ashley Williams applauds fans after the match with Yannick Bolasie
Pushed close by Manchester United’s Eric Bailly, the Welshman averages 1.5 more clearances per game with 7.6 and wins two aerial battles per game.
On the left of defence, Chelsea’s Marcos Alonso takes the crown in-spite of his recent impressive run on the left of midfield.
Under Antonio Conte, the Spaniard is remarkably yet to concede a goal in six appearances since his £24m switch from Fiorentina. His goal versus Everton and the 25 year-old’s distribution make him an indispensable asset for Chelsea.
Chelsea’s Marcos Alonso celebrates scoring their second goal
Formerly with Sunderland, Alonso averages more successful tackles than any top-flight defender so far with four per game.
With a back three of Shkodran Mustafi, Ashley Williams and Marcos Alonso ahead of Lee Grant in goal, will provide a fluid system for a four-man midfield.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
