The 2021/22 Premier League season has arguably been one of the most exciting campaigns in years thanks to stellar performances from some players so far.
With the top five separated by six points, the team of the season so far features big hitters from Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and West Ham United with Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah included in the starting eleven.
Whilst the team is littered with star studded players, there is no space for Manchester United’s mercurial striker Cristiano Ronaldo.
The No.7 has had an indifferent time since returning to Old Trafford having scored nine goals in all competitions but only four of them coming in the league.
He also blanked in the club’s biggest games of the season against Man City and Liverpool and lashed out in both games against Kevin De Bruyne and Curtis Jones.
Whilst Ronaldo hasn’t hit the heights many expected, his club would have been even further down the table without his goals and because of their poor start to the season, no United player have been included in the team.
With no United players in the team talkSPORT takes a look at who has made the cut…
Goalkeeper
After arriving for a big fee from Sheffield United, England goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has proved many doubters wrong since joining the Gunners.
The 23-year-old was named on the bench for his first two league games of the season but since then has kept Bernd Leno out with several incredible performances.
Against Leicester City for example, he made a superb save from a James Maddison free-kick that preserved his clean sheet which is something he has done on four other occasions in eight matches.
His form for the Gunners has not only helped them to fifth in the table, six points off leaders Chelsea but has led to an England call up where he could receive his first cap against San Marino.
Defence
Not only has he been part of a defence that has conceded just four times so far, Chelsea right-back Reece James has been a threat going forward to the opposition as well.
In eight league games the academy product has contributed to four goals and three assists which has made him the club’s joint top scorer.
Alongside James is his team mate Antonio Rudiger. The German centre-back has started in all but one game this season in the league and despite potentially leaving the club on a free next summer, his performances have not dropped and has helped the Blues sit on top of the table so far.
Just behind Chelsea in the league are current champions Man City who can have Ruben Dias to thank for helping them stay within touching distance. The last position to be awarded in the back four goes to his teammate Joao Cancelo.
Despite been signed as a right-back, the Portuguese defender has been used on the opposite side due to injuries but that has not flustered him at all and like James, he has been a menace going forward as Man United found out in the derby.
Midfield
After being linked with a £100 million transfer to Manchester United all summer, Declan Rice might be relieved he stayed at West Ham this season.
The 22-year-old has been sensational for David Moyes’ men and in the absence of regular captain Mark Noble has been wearing the armband in every game this season and has helped the Irons to third in the table after eleven games.
Whilst the team of the season consists of players from the top five, there have been some sensational performances from individuals lower down the league and none more so than Crystal Palace’s Conor Gallagher and Leicester City’s Youri Tielemans.
Gallagher has lit up Selhurst Park with dazzling displays from central midfield which has helped the club secure memorable victories against Man City and Tottenham Hotspur.
Tielemans meanwhile has started every game for the Foxes and similarly to Gallagher has been firing on all cylinders even if his team have not been.
Attack
Unquestionably the best player of the season so far and arguably the best player in the world in his current form is Mohamed Salah.
Liverpool’s Egyptian king has quite simply been unplayable this season having scored 11 goals in the league in as many games and produced two efforts that could go down to win the Puskas award and goal of the season.
With no Ronaldo up top, Michail Antonio takes the centre-forward spot having proved how vital he is to David Moyes.
Not only is he a West Ham’s record Premier League goal scorer, his ability in holding up the ball and bringing his teammates into play has helped the Irons to third in the table and into the knockout stages of the Europa League.
The last player to complete the team of the season so far belongs to Arsenal academy product Emile Smith Rowe.
With three goals in his last three games, Smith Rowe has epitomised the transformation the Gunners have gone through since their torrid start to the season.
His form earned him an England call up and he received his first cap in the Three Lions’ 5-0 win against Albania.
— Premier League (@premierleague) November 12, 2021
“A goal to dream of”
@MoSalah’s solo stunner against Man City is October’s @budfootball Goal of the Month#PLAwards | @LFCpic.twitter.com/o5KlX7l8Bz
“A goal to dream of” 
Mo Salah has won the Premier League Player of the Month award for October!
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) November 12, 2021How can we forget this moment of magic he produced at Watford
pic.twitter.com/qlLleC1VJI
How can we forget this moment of magic he produced at Watford 
Given the starts others have had, it would have been unfair to leave them out and as such, these players have been placed on the substitutes bench.
Substitutes
Edouard Mendy (goalkeeper)
Kurt Zouma (centre-back)
Trent Alexander-Arnold (right-back)
Bernardo Silva (midfield)
Phil Foden (attacking midfielder)
Raphinha (right winger)
Jarrod Bowen (right winger)
talkSPORT’s Premier League team of the season so far
