The 15 Biggest Snubs from the 2025 PFA Team of the Year – Ranked

August 23, 2025 Oliver Obel

The announcement of the 2025 PFA Team of the Year sparked plenty of debate, with five Liverpool stars included but no place for several other outstanding performers. While players like Salah, Gravenberch and Isak were rewarded, many top names were surprisingly left out. Here are the 15 biggest snubs from this season’s selection.

15. Matheus Cunha (Wolves)

Cunha was a constant threat for Wolves, combining trickery and movement with a keen eye for goal. He played a huge role in keeping Wolves competitive, contributing both goals and assists in key matches.

14. Justin Kluivert (Bournemouth)

Kluivert enjoyed one of his best seasons since arriving in England, dazzling with pace and direct dribbling. His flair and end product helped Bournemouth punch above their weight, making him a surprise omission.

13. David Raya (Arsenal)

Raya was among the league’s most reliable goalkeepers, keeping clean sheets regularly and organising Arsenal’s defence superbly. Despite his consistency, he lost out to Matz Sels, whose heroics for Forest caught the spotlight.

12. Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)

Even with injuries limiting his appearances, Alexander-Arnold still showcased his trademark passing and creativity from right-back. His ability to dictate games from deep made him stand out, though the defenders chosen edged him out.

11. Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa)

Rogers was a breakout star for Villa, adding flair and attacking drive to Unai Emery’s side. His emergence as one of the Premier League’s brightest young talents makes his exclusion difficult to ignore.

10. Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest)

The Forest playmaker carried his team at times, producing moments of creativity that kept them afloat. His influence in midfield was immense, proving he could compete with the league’s very best.

9. Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)

Watkins delivered another outstanding season, reaching over 20 goal contributions and leading Villa’s frontline superbly. His mix of goalscoring instinct and link-up play made him a vital player in their European charge.

8. Jurrien Timber (Arsenal)

Timber returned from long-term injury and immediately slotted back into Arsenal’s defence with maturity. His versatility and composure were key to their solidity at the back, making his omission hard to justify.

7. Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)

Saka once again hit double figures for both goals and assists, proving himself one of the Premier League’s most consistent wide forwards. His creative spark and relentless energy made him a standout performer throughout the campaign.

6. Marc Cucurella (Chelsea)

Cucurella impressed on both ends of the pitch, scoring five goals and adding an assist from left-back. His energy, versatility and attacking threat made him arguably the league’s best LB, yet Milos Kerkez was picked instead.

5. Moisés Caicedo (Chelsea)

Caicedo was Chelsea’s engine in midfield, combining defensive solidity with sharp distribution. Many believed his consistency and ball-winning ability made him a more deserving pick than Declan Rice.

4. Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)

Fernandes was United’s only shining light in a disastrous season that saw them finish 15th. With eight goals and ten assists in the league, and even higher numbers across all competitions, he was carrying the team almost alone.

3. Cole Palmer (Chelsea)

Palmer followed up his breakout campaign with another highly productive year, notching 15 goals and 8 assists. While he couldn’t quite replicate his debut magic, his numbers put him among the league’s most dangerous attackers.

2. Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford)

Mbeumo produced an astonishing 20 goals and 7 assists for Brentford, earning a big move to Manchester United. He was even nominated for Player of the Season, which makes his absence from the PFA XI one of the most baffling decisions.

1. Erling Haaland (Manchester City)

Haaland may not have hit his record-breaking standards, but 22 Premier League goals is still world-class output. To leave out the most feared striker in world football for Chris Wood was the biggest shock of all.