Premier League 2018-19 midseason awards

The 2018-19 Premier League season is nearly halfway complete. Liverpool have proved unlikely Premier League challengers thanks to a new-found defensive resilience, but Manchester City are still slight favorites.

Elsewhere, Arsenal and Chelsea have both improved significantly under new managers, while Manchester United are threatening to be dragged into the mid-table after an awful first few months of the season.

The relegation battle is a little more predictable, with Fulham bottom of the table and joined in the drop zone by Huddersfield and Bournemouth. Cardiff, Southampton, Crystal Palace and Newcastle are also in danger of going down.

There’s still plenty of the season to go, and things could look very different in May, but that’s not going to stop us handing out some awards as we reach the halfway point of the campaign, as voted on by FanSided’s soccer staff.

Player of the Midseason: Virgil van Dijk

Liverpool have conceded only seven goals this season in 18 matches. That puts them on pace to let in 15 total over a 38-game campaign, 23 fewer than they allowed last season and equalling the Premier League-era record of 15. The signing of Alisson and the emergence of Andrew Robertson, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez have all played a role in this transformation, but none of them have made the same impact as Virgil van Dijk. The Dutch center-back has played every minute this season, and has in many ways become Liverpool’s de facto captain. He’s dominant in the air, faster than all but a very select few of opposition forwards and his passing range is second only to Aymeric Laporte’s among Premier League center-backs. He hasn’t done it alone, but his leadership of Liverpool’s newly-resilient backline has been remarkable.

Others receiving votes: David Silva, Raheem Sterling, Eden Hazard

Manager of the Midseason: Jurgen Klopp

There have been some impressive managerial performances this season. Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City are an attacking juggernaut without precedent in the Premier League era; Unai Emery and Maurizio Sarri have both turned their clubs around far quicker than anyone expected; Mauricio Pochettino has Tottenham in third despite a frustrating summer transfer window; Eddie Howe has Bournemouth punching well above their weight; and Manuel Pellegrini, after a bad start, is starting to build something at West Ham. But out award goes to Jurgen Klopp.

Not only has the Germany led Liverpool to an unexpected lead in the table, he has done it by making considerable changes to his side’s tactical approach, a rare feat for any manager. Liverpool are not as fun to watch as they were last season, but their more measured, defensive approach has made them a better team. They have learned, as the cliche goes, to win while playing badly. And while City remain slight favorites for the title, Klopp has turned Liverpool into a genuine contender.

Others receiving votes: Pep Guardiola, Mauricio Pochettino, Eddie Howe, Unai Emery

Young Player of the Midseason (23 or under, fewer than 20 Premier League appearances prior to this season): Lucas Torreira

When was the last time Arsenal had a great defensive midfielder? Alex Song? Abou Diaby? Gilberto? In any case, it’s been a long time, which has only made Lucas Torreira’s impact more impressive. The 22-year-old was highly regarded at Sampdoria, but a move to the Premier League, and an Arsenal team undergoing significant transition, was always going to be a challenge. He has met it impressively, providing Unai Emery’s side with the sort of bite and energy they have lacked in that area of the pitch for years.

Others receiving votes: Ruben Neves, David Brooks, Aaron Wan-Bissaka

Signing of the Midseason: Alisson Becker

Liverpool haven’t had a reliable goalkeeper since the early years of Pepe Reina’s stint at the club, and their need for a new one last summer could hardly have been more obvious after Loris Karius’ errors in the Champions League final. In Alisson Becker, bought for a then-record fee for a keeper of $70.5 million, they finally have a solution to a longtime problem position. Alisson has made a couple of high-profile errors, against Leicester and Manchester United, but there’s no question he’s improved the Reds defense significantly. His shot-stopping is among the best in the world, and his composure on the ball has given Liverpool newfound options when building out from the back.

Torreira has been a big hit at Arsenal, Richarlison is living up to his price tag for Everton and Jorginho has been as advertised for a better-than-expected Chelsea side, but Alisson has helped turn Liverpool from top-four team to title challenger. For that, he gets the award.

Others receiving votes: Lucas Torreira, Richarlison, Jorginho

Worst Signing of the Midseason: Fred

Given the overall dysfunction at Manchester United, it’s perhaps a little harsh to blame individual players, especially new signings, for their disappointing first half of the season. Even so, if you spend $65.5 million on a player, you expect him to make more than six Premier League starts. To make matters even more frustrating, Fred seems like he should be an ideal fit in a midfield three alongside Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic. Jose Mourinho, for whatever reason, rarely gave that combination of players a run out, often preferring the likes of Marouane Fellaini and Ander Herrera in central midfield. The whole situation is a mess, but whether it’s Fred’s fault or not, the fact remains that he has made next to no impact this season.

Others receiving votes: No one (Tottenham), Andriy Yarmolenko

Most Pleasant Surprise: Bournemouth

Bournemouth have been among the relegation favorites every season since getting promoted from the Championship in 2014-15. Well, they’re still here. And after treading water in the mid-table for the past three seasons, they look primed to challenge for the Europa League places in 2018-19. Eddie Howe has done a remarkable job to with a group of players many of whom were bought from lower league sides or developed at the club. If Callum Wilson’s rumored move to Chelsea comes to fruition in January, the Cherries’ form may drop off, but for now they’re only three points off sixth-place Manchester United, a remarkable achievement for a club of their size.

Others receiving votes: Arsenal, Wolves, Everton

Biggest Disappointment: Manchester United

There was really only one choice for this prize. Where even to begin with problems at Manchester United? The squad may not be quite as good as some of United’s supposed rivals, but Jose Mourinho seemed to get the very worst out of them all the same. His alienation of Paul Pogba, by far the club’s most talented outfield player, is flat out bizarre. Unfortunately, Mourinho is only the beginning of United’s problems. There were rumors over the summer the club were in the market for a sporting director, someone who might put in place some sort of long-term plan to return United to their former glory. That appointment never materialized, and the Red Devils are now paying the price. Mourinho is out, and the Ole Gunnar Solskjaer era has gotten off to an encouraging start, but United still face a massive uphill battle to make the top four.

Others receiving votes: Fulham

Goal of the Midseason: Daniel Sturridge vs. Chelsea

Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea was one of the games of the season so far, a pulsating draw between two of the Premier League’s heavyweights. The Blues started the better of the sides, and Eden Hazard gave them an early lead after lovely exchange of passes with Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic. They were denied a win only by Daniel Sturridge’s 89th-minute screamer, a swerving, dipping strike into the top corner to keep Liverpool’s unbeaten start to the season alive.

Others receiving votes: Eden Hazard vs. Liverpool, Ilkay Gundogan vs. Manchester United, Aaron Ramsey vs. Fulham, Andre Schurrle vs. Cardiff