As 2021 draws to a close, it is time to reflect on who the Premier League's shining lights have been over the course of the calendar year.
There are plenty of candidates to choose from in every single position, such is the startling strength of the English top-flight that there are likely to be at least eleven other world class names that miss out on a place in this line-up.
Manchester City lifted their third league title in four seasons back in May of this year, bidding farewell to a Premier League icon in the process as Sergio Aguero said his goodbyes.
Liverpool have bounced back from a turbulent start to the year to re-establish themselves as one of the best outfits on the continent, while Chelsea are out to retain their Champions League crown.
However, Mirror Football has made some tough calls to determine who would make the ultimate 2021 starting eleven based on form, rather than a high-profile name.
With that being said, here is our Premier League team of the year for 2021. Let the controversy begin...
GK - Edouard Mendy
In many ways, 2021 has been the year of the goalkeeper, the likes of Emiliano Martinez and Aaron Ramsdale have enjoyed plenty of headlines for their efforts between the sticks.
However, while Martinez's form has dipped of late and Ramsdale's has only picked up since his summer switch to Arsenal - Mendy has been an ever-present, in-form shot-stopper throughout the year.
Arguably underrated given the level of fanfare Alisson Becker and Ederson receive, Mendy has been a crucial part in Thomas Tuchel's efforts to transform Chelsea into defensive titans.
His relatively recent performance away at Brentford defied belief, single-handedly keeping Chelsea in the tie with a number of acrobatic stops.
The Senegal international boasts 18 clean sheets, making his snub from the Ballon d'Or nominations list all the more baffling.
RB - Reece James
Undoubtedly a controversial decision given the wealth of world-class right-backs English football has at its disposal, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Kyle Walker are incredibly unfortunate to miss out.
Reece James is often pitted against Alexander-Arnold, it is undeniable the pair are neck and neck with each other, especially in terms of statistics - both registering eight goal contributions this season alone.
However, both last term and this season James has been part of a back-line that have shipped less goals than his Liverpool counterpart, quickly becoming one of the Blues most important players.
CB - Ruben Dias
Winner of the Premier League Player of the Season last term, Dias has been an inspired signing since his arrival last summer.
Considering Virgil van Dijk did not make his return to Premier League action until August of this year, Dias kept the throne for best centre-back in the division warm for many months.
Even factoring in Dias' showings since the start of this season alone, the Portugal international is part of a back four that has conceded the least amount of goals in the division - just nine as we approach the festive period.
It was a similar story last term, Dias spearheading a Golden Glove winning defence.
CB - Antonio Rudiger
The third and final Chelsea star to make the cut, few can have any arguments over Rudiger's inclusion.
It is a testament to the German international's ability that Chelsea are as desperate to keep him as the likes of Bayern Munich are to sign him, the 28-year-old very much a man in demand.
Arguably an even more fitting review of his ability is the fact that if Rudiger were to depart Stamford Bridge come the end of his current contract in the summer, he would most likely become the highest paid defender in the world wherever he ended up next.
LB - Joao Cancelo
Luke Shaw's solid end to the 2020/21 season followed by his stellar showings at Euro 2020 have led to widespread praise for the left-back, but he's not even the best one in Manchester currently.
That honour goes to his Man City counterpart Cancelo, who has arguably transformed the way the full-back position is viewed in modern football.
Technically one of the most gifted players in the Premier League regardless of position, Cancelo's ability with both feet means he is just as good operating on the right as he is on the left.
CM - Declan Rice
The first inclusion from a non big-six outfit, though for how much longer Rice stays that way remains to be seen.
The 22-year-old's fearless performances in the heart of midfield have sparked a wave of interest from a number of the league's biggest clubs, including Manchester United and Chelsea.
Rice proved he could excel at the highest level with England at Euro 2020, leaving little doubt he can go on to become one of the best central midfielders in European football as he develops.
Effectively West Ham captain at such a young age, Rice has shown he has natural leadership qualities which will no doubt add another few million on to his seemingly ever-growing price tag.
CM - Emile Smith Rowe
Perhaps not in possession of the kind of statistics put up by other midfielders, but few players can say they have enjoyed a single year quite as transformative as Smith Rowe.
Barely on the radar of some Arsenal fans until the very end of 2020, Smith Rowe has since become one of the first names on the team-sheet at the Emirates as well as part of the international set-up for England.
Arsenal look a different kind of threat with Smith Rowe in the side, the 21-year-old the club's league top scorer for the 2021/22 season so far.
CM - Bruno Fernandes
Factually, the most lethal midfielder in the Premier League over the course of the calendar year, United's midfield talisman has a combined 20 goal contributions at the time of writing.
While the opening exchanges of this season have seen Fernandes endure his worst from since making the move to Old Trafford back in January of last year, he is still one of the best in the business.
The Portugal international silenced some of his critics with a Ballon d'Or nomination earlier this year.
FW - Mohamed Salah
The easiest selection so far, Mohamed Salah has achieved a level of excellence this year that the Premier League has not seen since the likes of Thierry Henry and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Even if Salah missed the entirety of the second half of last season, his displays this term would ensure he walks into this side with a staggering 14 goals in 16 league games.
Salah has scored two stunning solo efforts this term which both seemed to channel the Egyptian's inner Lionel Messi, the first of which came against title rivals Man City to show his a man for the big occasion.
ST - Michail Antonio
West Ham boasting more inclusions than the likes of big-six outfits Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester United is a glowing review of the stellar job David Moyes has done in the London Stadium hot-seat.
An impressive return of 13 goals and nine assists since the start of the year, Antonio has proved too hot to handle for a number of top-tier defenders.
Crucial to West Ham's pursuit of European football, the Hammers are well in the hunt for Champions League qualification this term, thanks in large part to Antonio's efforts.
FW - Sadio Mane
Twelve league goals in 2021 (Mane's total at the time of writing) would be an incredible feat for lesser wide-players, but by the Liverpool star's standards that is business as usual.
Taking into account there have been injuries in that period as well and the Senegal international's return looks all the more impressive.
Goals against Arsenal, Manchester City and Spurs have ensured a Mane-inspired Liverpool toppled a number of their big-six rivals this year.
