Recapping the 2023-24 Season ahead of Select Premier League

Written by Julio Vega

The 2023-24 Premier League campaign is in the books and it was one for the ages. Records were broken on multiple fronts, while several big faces — and a few new names — stood out from the crowd. A handful of those stars can be found in Panini’s upcoming Select Premier League.

But first, let’s rewind on a whirlwind of a season.

Manchester City withstood the pressure once again, fending off the competition to win their fourth consecutive Premier League title. The ever-dominant Sky Blues became the first team in the 135 years of English football history to win four straight league crowns. The victory adds another chapter to a golden era for the club, marking a sixth trophy in seven years and an eighth championship across 13 seasons.

Hometown hero Phil Foden thrust himself into the spotlight, taking the reins as the Cityzens’ attacking heartbeat. The playmaker clinched the league’s Player of the Season award having scored 19 goals and added eight assists, topping a shortlist that included title challengers such as Arsenal midfielders Martin Ødegaard and Declan Rice as well as Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk. The 23-year-old star contributed to more than just goals; he operated fluidly with an eye-catching style that enhanced his side’s already efficient play.

Foden formed an electric connection with striker Erling Haaland, who charged to the Golden Boot with 27 goals. It was the Norwegian net-finder’s second time outscoring the opposition in as many seasons. 

In fact, goals were plentiful across the campaign, with a record-setting 1,246 strikes (3.28 per match) scored in 2023-24. Some of the most prolific goal-getters include Chelsea’s Cole Palmer with 22 efforts and Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak with 21.  Foden, AFC Bournemouth’s Dominic Solanke and Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins all bagged 19 goals.

Watkins also provided Aston Villa with a creative spark, helping the side earn a top-four finish for the first time in nearly three decades. He did so by leading the league with 13 assists to take home the Playmaker award. He achieved that feat over a crowded pool of quality creators, winning out over Palmer, who bagged 11 assists, and nine other players with 10 deliveries. That bunch included Ødegaard, Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne, Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, Tottenham Hotspur duo Brennan Johnson and Son Heung-Min, Newcastle United pair Anthony Gordon and Kieran Trippier, Brighton & Hove Albion’s Pascal Gross and Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White.

While the experienced heads shined across the board, youth still found its place in the limelight. In particular, Palmer performed admirably and led Chelsea to a sixth-place finish. The 22-year-old brought electric pace, superb finishing and steady passing to the fold, earning him the league’s Young Player of the Season award. He won the honor over a star-studded shortlist that included Arsenal standouts Bukayo Saka and William Saliba, Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo and Destiny Udogie of Tottenham Hotspur.

The battle between the sticks was just as intense, with Arsenal’s David Raya winning the Golden Glove award. The Spaniard took over as the Gunners’ starting goalkeeper, combining his possession-savvy skills with a safe pair of hands to record league 16 clean sheets while anchoring a league-best defensive unit. Everton’s reliable captain Jordan Pickford played a key role in fighting relegation by logging 13 shutouts, while Fulham’s Bernd Leno and Manchester City’s Ederson registered 10 clean sheets each.

The English top-flight season is done and dusted, and one of the best ways to remember such an incredible campaign is to collect these players and more when Panini’s Select Premier League dropping in a few weeks. Keep your eyes peeled.