Mourinho: The Team of the Year Should Be All Chelsea Players

According to the Guardian, Jose Mourinho has been quoted saying the PFA Team of the Year should have been entirely comprised of Chelsea players. He was quoted saying, "But, just as an example, the season Fàbregas is doing, the number of assists and quality of his game … not to be there is a bit strange." I believe that Jose is onto something. While it is impossible in my opinion to have an entire Chelsea team as the PFA team, I would have added a few more Blues to that team. 

First and foremost, Jose Mourinho is right in saying that it is strange to not see Cesc Fabregas in the Team of the Year. This is simply because the Spaniard has been one of the main components to Chelsea's title winning engine this season. The 27-year-old has contributed 16 assists this season, along with being one of the most consistent players in the league. Fabregas leads the league in assists, as well as forming the perfect partner for Nemanja Matic in Chelsea's midfield pivot. His performances for Chelsea this season has been one of the major differences this season for the Blues. Especially considering Coutinho, while having a good season, has only contributed to a Liverpool team that will most likely not qualify for the Champions League. Furthermore, Coutinho only has 4 assists in the Premier League this season. Fabregas to me, seemed the much better choice.

Another surprise exclusion from the team, is Chelsea left back, Cesar Azpilicueta. The Spaniard has been sensational this season, keeping Chelsea's shiny new left back Filipe Luis out of the team. He has been by far the best left back in the league, and quite possibly the best 1-on-1 defender as well. His replacement Ryan Bertrand, is ironically a former Chelsea backup. The young Englishman was unable to displace Ashley Cole from the lineup and was relinquished to the bench. Cole couldn't be replaced, that is until Azpilicueta came along. Oh and by the way, he's playing out of position, which makes him that much more impressive. Although Bertrand is surely on the rise, there is no competing with Chelsea's current left back, Cesar Azpilicueta.

The last exclusion of note, is one that I am more comfortable letting slide from the PFA. Chelsea's stalwart goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois has been sensational this season. He has kept Chelsea in games that they had no right winning. Courtois could have easily one the PFA Youth Player of the Year, had Kane not over performed this season. However, Courtois was kept out by Manchester United's GK, David De Gea. And this decision for me is correct. Not because he has played better this season, but because of how much more meaningful his performances have been. Where Courtois had the luxury of John Terry and Gary Cahill, De Gea has Chris Smalling and Phil Jones. The comparison is laughable. De Gea is probably the largest reason that United is challenging for a Champions League spot. Therefore, he gets the nod over Courtois, but not because talent was the only deciding factor.

Overall, a Team of the Year with 6 Chelsea players is something we should be celebrating rather than questioning. The fact that we are even able to question these decisions, highlights how good of a season the Blues have had. I am sure that lifting a Premier League Trophy in a few weeks will help the likes of Azpilicueta and Fabregas cope with their exclusions.

Follow Tyler Strauss on Twitter.