The New Year is almost upon us, and the Premier League table is taking shape, with battles for the title, top-four places, European spots and the right to stay in the top flight for another season already being hotly contested.
While those teams largely unaffected by the surge in coronavirus cases have now played 19 of their 38 games in the 2021-22 season, many outfits are now playing catch-up as Omicron wreaks havoc on the footballing calendar.
One thing that has not changed over the course of new variants and multiple lockdowns is the quality on show in the top flight, with old favourites and surprise packages up and down the table putting on a show for spectators week after week.
Here, Sports Mole takes on the unenviable task of selecting an 11-man Premier League Team of the Season so far.
DEFENCE
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Jose Sa and Alisson Becker both deserve honourable mentions, but Aaron Ramsdale - despite being written off by many - has barely put a foot wrong since arriving at Arsenal. The England international's nine clean sheets is second only to Ederson, and his mentality, footwork and distribution continue to impress the previously sceptical Gooners.
There was only ever going to be one contender for the right-back spot, as Trent Alexander-Arnold has starred for Liverpool with two goals and eight assists - second only to Mohamed Salah in the latter - while he also won the Player of the Month for November and has made more key passes than any other player (51).
On the opposite side, Joao Cancelo has taken to his left-back role with aplomb by posting one goal and four assists in league action so far, while his 1,512 passes is the highest in the league. Furthermore, the Portuguese has also had 40 shots on goal - not bad for a defender - while also making 34 interceptions, the fifth-most in the league.
Another City regular to feature in our midway point TOTS backline is Cancelo's compatriot Ruben Dias, who has played his part in 10 clean sheets for City and has also chipped in with two goals and two assists. The former Benfica man's pass accuracy of 93.7% can only be bettered by Aymeric Laporte as he continues to stake his claim as one of the best centre-backs in the business.
Finally, Thiago Silva continues to shine at the age of 37, with the Chelsea veteran helping his side keep six of their clean sheets and recording a 91.7% pass accuracy - the fifth best in the league. Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip, Gabriel Magalhaes and Mohammed Salisu were all unlucky to miss out.
MIDFIELD
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While Thomas Tuchel continues to struggle with midfield injuries, Chelsea loanee Conor Gallagher could not be enjoying life more at Crystal Palace, with the England international posting six goals and three assists for the Eagles, ranking fifth highest in key passes (31) and joint third highest in tackles (47).
At the base of the midfield, Rodri has been at the heart of City's title charge this term - as well as being capable of scoring the odd screamer from time to time. The Spaniard's 92.4% pass accuracy is the fourth-best in the league, a tally of 78 accurate long balls ranks him in the top 10 for outfield players, and he has also chipped in with 39 tackles.
Further up the Etihad pitch, Pep Guardiola will be thanking his lucky stars that Bernardo Silva did not force a move away from the club in the summer, as the 27-year-old's seven goals and one assist have been invaluable in propelling the Citizens to the top of the pile. Emile Smith Rowe, Mateo Kovacic and John McGinn were all worthy mentions.
ATTACK
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Fans, players and journalists alike are running out of superlatives to describe Mohamed Salah, who is without question playing the best football of his career right now. The Egypt international's 15 goals and nine assists are both league highs, he has attempted more shots than any other player (71), and he is only behind Alexander-Arnold and Bruno Fernandes for key passes with 37.
The Liverpool representation does not stop there, as Diogo Jota - often deployed through the middle this term - has also reached a double-figure tally of 10 league goals and has had 49 efforts on goal - the third most in the league - although his shocking effort at Molineux will go down as a contender for miss of the season.
Finally, not many could have foreseen Emmanuel Dennis's seamless transition to Premier League football, as the Watford man has shone with seven goals and five assists for the struggling Hornets - including strikes against Manchester United and Chelsea - and the Nigerian gets the nod over Michail Antonio and Jamie Vardy to spearhead our attack.
PREMIER LEAGUE TEAM OF THE SEASON SO FAR
Premier League Team of the Season so far (4-3-3): Ramsdale; Alexander-Arnold, Dias, T. Silva, Cancelo; Gallagher, Rodri, B. Silva; Salah, Dennis, Jota
Ben Knapton
