Best XI: 2016 Premier League team of the year

With 2016 soon to be in the rearview mirror, we look back at the best players in the Premier League over the last 12 months. Taking into consideration both the end of last season and the opening half of the new campaign, here is our best XI for the calendar year.

David De Gea - Manchester United

Hugo Lloris and Thibaut Courtois continue to push him every step of the way - and Jordan Pickford is an emerging star - but the Premier League's best goalkeeper can still be found between the Old Trafford sticks. Nothing happened in 2016 to change that fact.

Hector Bellerin - Arsenal

Hector Bellerin's ascent up the ladder of England's top full-backs has been as quick as the young Spaniard himself. Always looking like he's been shot out of a cannon, the 21-year-old is excellent going forward, but doesn't allow his attacking exuberance to take away from his defensive duties.

Toby Alderweireld - Tottenham

The rock upon which the Premier League's stingiest backline is built, Belgian powerhouse Toby Alderweireld has been critical in helping Tottenham establish itself as a legitimate contender to upset the dominance exerted by England's perennial powers.

Laurent Koscielny - Arsenal

Where would Arsenal be without its talismanic Frenchman? The arrival of Shkodran Mustafi looks to have finally given Laurent Koscielny a solid partner after a rotating door of unreliable options, and yet the veteran has still stood out as arguably the Gunners' most important player. For a team with Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil, that's saying something.

Danny Rose - Tottenham

Remember when everyone thought Danny Rose was a terrible player? It feels like a long time ago, such has been the excellence of the 26-year-old over the last two seasons - 2016 in particular. Among an impressive crop of English full-backs, the Tottenham stalwart is the outstanding player.

N'Golo Kante - Leicester City and Chelsea

Jamie Vardy scored the goals and Riyad Mahrez provided moments of magic, but N'Golo Kante was the engine that powered Leicester City to the title last season - and now he's doing it again in a different shade of blue with Chelsea. Yes, this lineup is hilariously imbalanced, but that's the magic of Kante; he's proven that he can control an entire midfield by himself.

Dimitri Payet - West Ham

The Premier League's most fearsome free-kick-taker also happens to be its most prolific creator of chances. Mesut Ozil had a near-historic season in 2015-16, but over the last 12 months, no player created more opportunities for his teammates than West Ham's French wizard.

Philippe Coutinho - Liverpool

What does making the leap from talented, creative stud to absolute superstar look like? Like Philippe Coutinho. Liverpool's diminutive Brazilian has flourished under Jurgen Klopp, getting into more dangerous shooting positions and adding frightening consistency to his game.

Kevin De Bruyne - Manchester City

The vision is unrivaled, and the ability to seemingly always make the right decision is enviable. Kevin De Bruyne is consistently the best player on the pitch when Manchester City is in action, and in a division so loaded with talent, he's already in the discussion as the league's most dominant superstar.

Alexis Sanchez - Arsenal

The indefatigable Chilean is the most electric player in the Premier League, his combination of skill, trickery, pace, power, and precision in front of goal making him an absolute joy to watch and the most important cog of Arsenal's free-flowing attack, regardless of whether he plays up front or in a wider position.

Diego Costa - Chelsea

Leading the line for a seemingly unstoppable Chelsea side, Diego Costa was the best striker in the Premier League in 2016. Keeping the tomfoolery to a minimum under Antonio Conte, the 28-year-old has put all of his energy into terrorizing the opposition. The results have been outstanding.