Also-rans: The alternative PFA Team of the Year

The PFA Team of the Year has been announced, and it's hard to argue against the Premier League stars getting their votes spot on.

Eight of the lineup hails from either table-topping Leicester City or second-placed Tottenham Hotspur, with Manchester United's David De Gea, Arsenal's Hector Bellerin, and West Ham United's Dimitri Payet rounding off the XI.

But can any players be legitimately perturbed at being left off the lineup? Here is an alternative XI of those who fell just short of the PFA team:

GK - Hugo Lloris

Manchester City's Joe Hart is edging towards increasing his record to five Golden Glove awards, while the athleticism of Kasper Schmeichel in between the sticks for Leicester has reignited memories of his father's 1990s pomp. But going about his business quietly behind all of this feverish praise has been Tottenham's Hugo Lloris, a calming yet telling influence behind the Premier League's meanest defence.

RB - Cedric Soares

The weakest position in the Premier League this term has to see Cedric Soares, the Southampton full-back whose form and minutes have curtailed lately following a niggling groin issue, named second to Hector Bellerin. For much of the season, the nine-time Portugal international has ensured that the loss of Nathaniel Clyne - who was sold to Liverpool last summer - has not been felt at St Mary's.

CB - Robert Huth

A cut of a defender from generations past, but Robert Huth's success could call for more patience and a change in transfer policy in the top flight. Dumped by Stoke City after six years of fine service, he has since thrived at the back with PFA Team of the Year member Wes Morgan, providing the foundations for Leicester's incredible title charge. Not bad for £3 million.

CB - Chris Smalling

An incredibly reliable and composed defender who, with his goalkeeper David De Gea, has helped Manchester United assume some dignity in what has been a difficult few years after Sir Alex Ferguson stepped down. With Laurent Koscielny and Vincent Kompany, Chris Smalling is among the most natural and talented defenders in the division - and perhaps Europe.

LB - Christian Fuchs

Arguably the steal of the season. Christian Fuchs joined Leicester on a free transfer after the expiration of his stay at FC Schalke 04, and while not the most ambitious of full-backs - he'll get a nosebleed if he enters the final third - he has expertly stuck to Claudio Ranieri's gameplan and helped make the Foxes a tough line to breach. Watch out NFL, he's got his eyes Stateside when his days with a leather spheroid are up.

RM - Kevin De Bruyne

He had already missed four league matches by the time his £54-million transfer from VfL Wolfsburg was completed, and then a serious injury setback counted him out of another seven top-flight outings. Without these absences, it's hard to imagine a PFA Team of the Year without Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne. A delicate creativity in his play, but with a savage killer instinct, he's set to be a rare worth-it purchase by the City hierarchy.

CM - Mousa Dembele

The unsung battering ram that has freed Dele Alli into being the box-to-box midfielder that he wants to be, and given the back four protection that has made Tottenham such a strong defensive force. Mousa Dembele seldom loses possession, and puts in 41 percent more tackles per game than the second-busiest teammate in that aspect of the game, left-back Danny Rose.

CM - Danny Drinkwater

Danny Drinkwater and N'Golo Kante are often a no-thrills duo in the heart of the Leicester XI, pouncing on loose balls and chasing down opponents before spraying quick passes to Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy. Drinkwater's five assists have set up all of the latter and his expansive passing often puts the other team on the back foot.

LM - Mesut Ozil

Perhaps the biggest surprise exclusion from the PFA Player of the Year after a season that sees the German creeping towards Thierry Henry's Premier League season assist record of 20. Mesut Ozil has 18, and also added six goals in what, until February, looked like Arsenal's biggest shot at the title in 12 years. If Arsene Wenger is the artist, then Ozil is his brush.

FW - Romelu Lukaku

In a miserable campaign for Everton, Romelu Lukaku has stood tall above many of his teammates. His considerable strength and slick feet were showcased most prominently when he slalomed and forced his way through Chelsea's backline in the FA Cup - it was a passage of play that resembled Ronaldo in his Barcelona and Inter Milan days. Many will be surprised if 22-year-old Lukaku is still plying his trade on Merseyside next season.

FW - Sergio Aguero

Sergio Aguero's 100 goals in 147 Premier League outings put his record at a strike every 107.7 minutes - a rate not bettered by anyone. Another injury-ridden campaign for the Argentinian star, but he's only two goals short of top scorer Harry Kane, despite playing 30 percent less minutes. Incredibly, the Manchester City hero has not appeared in a PFA Team of the Year in his five seasons in England.