With the domestic season now finished across Europe’s top league, it’s time to take a closer look at WhoScored.com’s team of the season.
First up is Roma goalkeeper and Liverpool target Alisson, who went from strength to strength across the campaign. Only Juventus (24) conceded fewer league goals than Roma (28) in Serie A this season, with the Brazilian central to their solid displays.
Indeed, Alisson goes into the summer as Brazil’s number one at Russia 2018 and for good reason. His save success rate (80.1%) was the best in Italy’s top tier this term, which contributed to a WhoScored.com rating of 6.99, better than any other goalkeeper in Europe’s top five leagues this season.
No goalkeeper kept more clean sheets than Alisson (17) in Italy’s top tier and ranked in the top 10 for saves (107) as the 25-year-old excelled for high-flying Roma. While the capital outfit underwhelmed to some extent, the shotstopper came away with his head high having played a central role in Roma’s Champions League qualification.
Eusebio Di Francesco’s side crashed out of Europe’s elite competition at the semi-final stage at Liverpool’s expense, yet the Brazil international undoubtedly thrived and very much warrants his place between the sticks in the best-rated XI. Roma fans will be hoping he stays beyond the summer, though a successful World Cup would see interest in his signature increase significantly.
At his age, there is plenty more still to come from Alisson, whose style of play suits that of top teams across Europe’s top five leagues. Roma will be reluctant to cash in on the Brazilian, but any team who convinces the Serie A side to sell the young goalkeeper will land themselves a fine shotstopper who is only going to improve.
With an increasing need to utilise a goalkeeper that is capable of mopping up danger, thus allowing teams to implement a high defensive line, Alisson is one of the more ideal goalkeepers to call upon. He routinely proved his excellence as the last line of the defence for Roma this season and deserves his place in goal in the WhoScored.com European team of the season.
