The 2019-20 La Liga season is currently suspended due to the COVID-19 outbreak but the league could resume in June. Barcelona are currently two points clear of their arch-rivals, Real Madrid at the top of the standings, while Atletico Madrid are sixth.
At the other end of the table, Barcelona‘s Catalan rivals, Espanyol are rock-bottom, with Leganes and Mallorca occupying the other two relegation spots.
As such, it seems only fair to acknowledge the players who have performed admirably during the course of the normal campaign to be included in our La Liga Team of the Season. Without further ado, let’s look at the team.
Goalkeeper: Jan Oblak (Atletico Madrid)
Real Madrid fans may argue about the inclusion of Jan Oblak over Thibaut Courtois as the former Chelsea man has kept the most number of clean sheets in La Liga (12) this season. However, in terms of maintaining impossibly high standards and making crucial saves regularly, Jan Oblak remains the top goalkeeper in the Spanish top flight.
Apart from being a brilliant shot-stopper, it’s his consistency and impeccable positioning that sets the Slovenian apart. He had 11 clean sheets to his name this term before the coronavirus pandemic halted the La Liga season.
Right-back: Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid)
Dani Carvajal has been one of the most consistent defenders in the league for the last few years and is one of the first names on the Real Madrid team sheet more often than not.
The 28-year-old Spanish international has made 22 appearances in La Liga this season, scoring once and setting up five more, besides providing stability to Los Blancos’ defence.
Centre-back: Raphael Varane (Real Madrid)
Raphael Varane is one of the most underrated defenders in the world at the moment. The French World Cup winner is a major reason behind Real Madrid’s best defensive start in La Liga since the 1987-88 season.
Varane has made 23 league appearances so far this season, helping his side keep 11 clean sheets, in addition to chipping in with two goals and an assist.
Centre-back: Felipe (Atletico Madrid)
Felipe was signed as a replacement from Porto for the departing Diego Godin, who left for Inter Milan last summer. The Brazilian was not initially one of Diego Simeone’s more high profile summer signings, but the €20 million paid to take him from Porto now looks a relative bargain.
Felipe has provided continuity and leadership in Atletico Madrid’s defence, which has seen major changes this season. He has made 21 La Liga appearances so far in the present campaign, helping his side keep seven clean sheets.
Left-back: Sergio Reguilon (Sevilla)
The Real Madrid loanee has been a revelation for Sevilla since joining them on loan last season. Julen Lopetegui has used him as one of his attacking weapons, with the 23-year-old playing an impressive 1.7 key passes per game. He has one goal and four assists to his name in 22 La Liga games.
Sergio Reguilon has complemented his offensive play with brilliant defensive work, making 68 tackles throughout the season so far.
Defensive midfielder: Casemiro (Real Madrid)
The 28-year-old is arguably the best defensive midfielder in the world right now. The Brazilian, who is brilliant at screening the back four, loves going forward whenever the opportunity arises. In the 25 appearances so far this season, Casemiro has scored three goals and provided two assists.
He is one of the best in the league in terms of the number of tackles and interceptions made. Casemiro does all the dirty work for his team and that shows as he is just behind Jamie Mata of Getafe in conceding the most number of fouls.
Central midfielder: Federico Valverde (Real Madrid)
The Toni Kroos-Luka Modric-Casemiro midfield combination has been more or less unchallenged at the Bernabéu for last few years. However, with the rapid decline of Modric and the meteoric rise of Federico Valverde, the situation has changed in the Spanish capital. The Uruguayan has staked his claim in the starting line up with a series of impressive and energetic performances this season.
Valverde has come a long way from suffering relegation with Deportivo La Coruna, where he was sent out on loan for the 2017-18 season, to becoming a regular starter for Real Madrid. In the 22 La Liga appearances so far this season, Valverde has scored twice and provided four assists.
Attacking midfielder: Martin Odegaard (Real Sociedad)
The Real Madrid loanee is having a terrific stint at Real Sociedad. Since joining Los Blancos as a 16-year-old, the Norwegian has spent the majority of his time away on loan.
However, Martin Odegaard’s form this season might make Real Madrid think about including him in their squad next season. He has been one of the main reasons behind Real Sociedad currently occupying the fourth and final Champions League qualification spot. The 21-year-old has four goals and five assists to his name in La Liga this season and is only behind Lionel Messi with 2.3 key passes per game.
Right-wing: Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
One of the best players to ever grace a football field, Lionel Messi is fighting a lone battle for Barcelona this season. The Catalan giants, who are on top of the La Liga table, have Messi to thank for.
The Argentine is once again leading the goalscoring charts with 19 in 22 matches and has also provided the most assists (12) in the league so far. Messi, who has been the heart and soul of Barcelona for over a decade, has continued to give his best on the field, despite not getting proper support from his team-mates.
Left-Wing: Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad)
The Spanish international has played a stellar role for the Basque side this season and is one of the main reasons behind Real Sociedad enjoying a dream campaign.
Mikel Oyarzabal has netted eight times and assisted six more to keep his team firmly in contention for a place in the Champions League next season. The Real Sociedad captain has also guided La Real to their maiden Copa del Rey final in 31 years.
Striker: Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)
Karim Benzema has been one of the best players for Real Madrid since Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure and has come to his own in terms of scoring goals and creating chances. The Frenchman has silenced his critics who doubted whether he was the right man to lead the line for Los Blancos.
The 32-year-old Frenchman has shown no signs of slowing down as he has bagged 14 goals and provided six assists in 26 appearances so far this season.
Here’s how La Liga Team of the Season would line up:
