Premier League 2018/19: The non-top 6 Team of the Season

Forward: Jamie Vardy – Leicester City

Jamie Vardy remains on form despite turning 32

Given he’s a player who largely relies on his incredible pace to get past opposition defenders in order to score goals, you’d be forgiven for expecting Jamie Vardy to be finally slowing down at the age of 32, and yet that’s far from the case.

If anything – despite reportedly falling out with then-boss Claude Puel midway through the season – the Leicester striker has enjoyed his best season since his legendary title-winning one in 2015/16.

Vardy has made 33 appearances this term and has scored a total of 18 goals – 2 less than last season’s return, but 2018/19 has also seen him make 4 assists to last season’s 1, meaning overall, this has been his most productive season since 2015/16.

And he’s scored important goals too, including the winners against Chelsea and Everton and braces against Arsenal, Fulham and Huddersfield.

The former non-league striker might’ve retired from international football following last summer’s World Cup, but his form for Leicester shows no sign of tailing off just yet, and he’s a finisher of such a high calibre that any of the top six sides would probably love to be able to call upon him. As it is, he remains probably the best striker outside of the top 6.

Forward: Wilfried Zaha – Crystal Palace

Wilfried Zaha might be the best player in the league outside of the top 6

How much longer Wilfried Zaha can remain one of – if not the – best players outside of the top six is anyone’s guess given his recent statement that he wishes to play in the Champions League, but for now Crystal Palace are probably hugely thankful that they can deploy him.

Able to play practically anywhere as a forward or midfielder, Zaha has again been the key man for the Eagles this season, scoring 10 goals and making 3 assists in his 33 games.

Zaha is both a creator and a finisher – he’s played 50 key passes this season – but more than anything, he’s at his best with the ball at his feet, running at the opposition. The Ivory Coast international has averaged 6.6 dribbles per game this season, with over half of them being successful, and he draws fouls at an astonishing rate too – he’s fouled on average 3.1 times per game.

It should come as no surprise that Zaha has received more Man of the Match awards than any other Palace player, and along with the impressive Luka Milivojevic, has been involved with more of Palace’s goals this season than anyone else.

He’s simply a tremendous player who would easily be worthy of playing for any top six side, and Eagles fans will be buzzing if they can keep hold of him this summer.