Opta’s stats-based Premier League team of the season has surprise inclusion

His team were disappointing.

In goals there is no surprise with the inclusion of Nottingham Forest's Matz Selz.

The Belgian stopper shared the Golden Glove award with Arsenal's David Raya, and had the second-best save percentage, behind Everton's Jordan Pickford.

Although he has been much-maligned by Liverpool fans ahead of his imminent move to Real Madrid, Trent Alexander-Arnold makes it in defence, mainly due to his passing stats, alongside teammate Virgil van Dijk, and Arsenal's William Saliba.

The Reds' Ryan Gravenberch partners the Gunners' Declan Rice in midfield, with the latter's set-piece play a highlight.

Mo Salah would be most people's first name of the team sheet, with his 29 goals and 18 assists.

He joins a man much-wanted by Man United in Wolves' Matheus Cunha, as well as Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo, who is also wanted by the Red Devils.

Rounding out the team up front is Newcastle's Alexander Isak, who finished with 23 goals as the Magpies secured European football for next season.

However, one man may come as a surprise to some.

Josko Gvardiol makes it in defence, despite often being criticised for his performances throughout the season, as Man City finished in a poor third and failed to mount a serious title challenge.

But like Alexander-Arnold, it was the Croatian's attacking play that got him in.

Opta said: "Although it was trophyless season for Manchester City, the performances of Gvardiol were one bright spark.

"Gvardiol ended the season as the joint-highest scoring defender with five goals, while only Steve Howey in 00-01 (six) has ever scored more among defenders for City in a Premier League season.

"Gvardiol was key in moving City into attacking areas, ranking second among defenders for both ball-carry distance (7,462 metres) and ball carry progress (4,215 metres). He also made 717 successful passes in the final third and 263 line-breaking passes in the final third - the most of any defender this season."