The Premier League’s Greatest Individual Seasons
From Thierry Henry and Alan Shearer to Harry Kane and Cristiano Ronaldo, there has been definitely no shortage of world-class players.
Ready?
Ok, so let's crack on with the list of world-class seasons on an individual level by Premier League players.
Cristiano Ronaldo 2007/2008
This version of Cristiano Ronaldo was just a treat to watch, you just couldn’t take your eyes off him. He was a match winner. Always busy dribbling, and scoring all sorts of goals that ONLY HE could score. Scoring free-kicks, scoring with your head or weak foot? Ronaldo could do it all.
He played a crucial part in yet another title win for Manchester United with *37* goal contributions. As his performance merited, He won the Football Writers’ Association Player of the Year award and the PFA Player of the year award as well as the Premier League player of the season award plus the Premier League golden boot.
Virgil Van Dijk 2018/2019
The year 2018/2019 was actually Virgil Van Dijk’s 1st full season at Liverpool. The first full season is usually a testing one for center-backs as they settle into their new surroundings and try to find their feet.
It definitely wasn’t the case with Liverpool’s Number 4; the way he performed, how easy he made everything look, just remarkable.
The Reds center-back transformed the Liverpool defense as they conceded just 22 goals all season (the least conceded by any club in the Premier League that season) and actually finished the whole season without being dribbled past by anyone — Yes, you read it right, a whole season without being dribbled past by anyone- just Wow!
Liverpool would miss out on the title by a point but on an individual level, Van Dijk surely had a great campaign which was capped off by him winning the Premier League player of the season award.
Thierry Henry 2002/2003
You knew this was coming, right? Thierry Henry's 2002/03 campaign remains to this day, unmatched and many call it the greatest Premier League campaign by an individual.
Scoring 20+ goals in a season is a great feat, getting 20+ assists in a season is superb and doing both in a single season is just outrageous — Yup, that is correct, Henry managed that.
The Arsenal No.14 managed to score 24 goals and bag 20 assists. He still jointly with Kevin De Bruyne (who we are going to talk about later in this article) holds the record for most assists in 38 game Premier League campaign.
Henry merited the PFA player of the year and Football Writers’ Association Player of the Year awards. Legendary season by a legendary player. Hats off to Henry.
Gareth Bale 2012/2013
This season is arguably among Gareth Bale’s very finest. Bale scored an astonishing 21 goals and helped Spurs get to fifth place.
Nearly half of Bale’s goals (9) came from outside the penalty area which makes his goal tally look even more impressive as no other Premier League player has ever managed to score nine goals from outside the box in a single season- simply, just outstanding from the Welshmen.
He deservedly won both the Young PFA player of the year and the PFA Player of the year plus the Premier League player of the season award not to forget his Football Writers’ Association Player of the Year award.
Mohamed Salah 2017/2018
His numbers might not reflect it but yes, 2017–18 was actually Salah’s debut campaign for Liverpool. He had been labeled a Premier League flop by many when he didn’t quite make the cut at Chelsea.
The Egyptian stunned everyone with a stellar campaign. He broke the record for most goals in 38 game Premier League campaign by scoring a staggering 32 goals, helping Jurgen Klopp’s men massively to qualify for the UEFA Champions League once again.
Most of his goals were just beautiful to watch. Deservedly, Salah took home the Premier League golden boot, Football Writers’ Association Player of the Year, PFA player of the year, and Premier League player of the season awards. Salah couldn’t have announced his arrival back in England any better- “The Egyptian King”.
Luis Suarez 2013/2014
Was this Luis Suarez's best ever season? Even if it's not the case, this 2013/14 season is certainly right up there. The Liverpool man was just on fire.
Despite having missed the first few games due to suspension, he showed no rustiness and scored goal after goal in a devastating fashion. He single-handedly took Liverpool to the brink of an unlikely title win. Thirty-one breathtaking goals — we witnessed something truly remarkable.
The Uruguayan bagged the PFA Player of the Year, Football Writers’ Association Player of the Year, and Premier League Player of the Season awards.
Kevin De Bruyne 2019/2020
When we talk about prime Kevin De Bruyne, then probably 2019/20 is it. KDB feels like a cheat code in midfield when he plays such is his ability — tremendous vision and passing and he’s always at the right place at the right time.
Man City didn’t win the title but that didn’t stop the Belgian International from having an extraordinary season that read 13 goals and 20 assists — equalling the record for most assists in a Premier League season. Ridiculous numbers from an elite midfielder.
Thank you for reading this article — if you think I should have included a particular season by any player, feel free to let me know in the responses section- I will include it in part 2!
