Serie A 2017/18: The best XI of the season

Centre-backs: Milan Skriniar (Inter Milan), Stefan De Vrij (Lazio)

Skriniar was one of the best buys this season

From a questionable €20 million summer arrival from Sampdoria to one of the signings of the Serie A season, Skriniar has become one of the best young defenders in a matter of few months.

And there can’t be a bigger testament to that than reports of a rumored €65 million move to Manchester City at one point into the season.

An indomitable presence at the heart of the Nerazzurri backline, the Slovak brought much-needed robustness to the defence and also the quality to build-up from the back.

His 167 clearances and 23 blocked shots are both, the most by an Inter player, and rank sixth and seventh respectively, in the overall league standings.

He’s played every single minute of the season and also helped out in the attack with 4 goals and six key passes.

De Vrij would be massive for Inter next season

He was on the firing line for his erroneous show in the 3-2 defeat to Inter on the final matchday, but that was more like a sole blot on an otherwise pristine copybook.

De Vrij was a rock in that brawny Lazio backline, leading the defensive line with great elan. His terrific vision and reading of the game saw him intercept 66 times this season - 5th highest for a defender in the league - and also maintain 92% passing accuracy.

The Dutchman is also the most prolific defender of the season with six goals, four of which were headed - a proof of his impressive aerial prowess.

He may have blighted his current side’s chances of Champions League football with that horrendous tackle that led to a penalty, but he’s sure to light up European nights at the San Siro with his new club Inter, next season.