We are about halfway through the Premier League Season, and the turn of the year prompted us to release our pre season team of the year. It's been a year full of surprises and our picks reflect that.

That reality has prompted to release our team of the year based on where things stand in the premier league. Victor's picks are in BLUE and Jake's are in RED.

GK - Emiliano Martinez, Aston Villa

Emiliano Martinez has been the best goal keeper in the league this season and it's not particularly close. He leads the league in clean sheets despite having saved the second most shots of any goal keeper in the big 6. His save percentage also ranks second the league if you need more.

RB - Tariq Lamptey, Brighton

He has shown us why Bayern wanted him so bad this summer. This guy doesn't have any clear weaknesses at the position and remains a true dual threat on the pitch going forward or defending.

CB - Wesley Fofana, Leicester City

Arsenal spent the big money on William Saliba, a promising 19 year old center back from AS Saint-Etienne. Meanwhile, Leicester City purchased a less known promising center back from the same club in 20 year old center back, Wesley Fofana. Saliba is yet to play a game for Arsenal, and Fofana has made the center back position his own at Leicester City, an impressive feat for a club that is slowly becoming a center back factory.

CB - Ruben Dias, Manchester City

Dias has played 13 games for City this season, they have conceded 7 goals and have 7 clean sheets in that period. Basically, Dias is having the type of impact on this backline that Virgil Van Dijk had when he joined Liverpool. All of a sudden, John Stones looks like a great center back once again and City fans can finally relax going into games knowing they won't give up cheap goals.

LB - Andrew Robertson, Liverpool

Not much to say about this. He's been the only healthy option in the backline for Liverpool all season and continues to do his job at an extremely high level like him or not.

CM - Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Tottenham

If you didn't pay attention to Hojbjerg while he was at Overlooked FC (Southampton), then you've certainly noticed now. Tottenham all of a sudden look like having one of the best midfields in Europe, and Hojbjerg is a huge part of that. He has played every single minute so far, leads the league in tackles, and is top 10 in passes completed. Hojbjerg is finally proving why he was once a heralded prospect at Bayern Munich. Wild part is, he's still only 25.

CM - Bruno Fernandes, Manchester United

Like him or not, he ranks 3rd in goals in the league, and 3rd in assist. I'll leave it at that, I am sure you have your mind made up on the man.

CM - Jack Grealish, Aston Villa

This might sound hyperbolic, but in the top 5 leagues, only Messi and Neymar have created more quality chances than Grealish so far this season. That is incredible. He leads the premier league in shot creation by 23, leads in expected assists, leads in key passes, leads in fouls drawn by 27, not to mention his 5 goals and 7 assists in 15 games. Imagine what he could do with the same freedom on a better roster.

FW - Mo Salah, Liverpool

Not much to say about Mo Salah. Top scorer in the league with 13 goals in 17 games will get you into any team of the year list.

FW - Calvert-Lewin, Everton

His form has cooled off a little but Calvert-Lewin still gets into this list simply because he's been a vital part of Everton's form this season. He's a poacher of the highest degree who is only going to get better. He's also tied with Jamie Vardy for most goals as a striker this season.

FW - Harry Kane (POTY), Tottenham

10 goals and 11 assists less than halfway into the year. This is HUGE 02-03 Thierry Henry vibes where he finished with 24 goals and 20 assists in the league campaign. For reference on how incredible that is, those 20 assists are the record for most in a season, De Bruyne tied it last season while scoring only 13 goals, 11 less than Henry. If Harry Kane were to somehow come close to this record, it's hard to see Tottenham not challenge for the title.

Manager of the Season - Dean Smith, Aston Villa

I'm not usually a fan of rewarding someone for getting out of a hole they dug themselves in, but Dean Smith has done more than that. The digging of the hole was finishing 17th last season and leaving safety till the last game of the season by just one point. Getting out of the hole was somehow keeping Tyrone Mings and Jack Grealish over the offseason. The reason he gets this nod is the historic 7-2 win over Liverpool, and the fact that if they win their two games in hand, they would be in the top 4. Wow.

Runner Up: Ralph Hassenhuttl, Southampton

Honorable Mention:

GK - Hugo Lloris, Tottenham

RB - Reece James, Chelsea

CB - Gabriel, Arsenal

CB - Tyron Mings, Aston Villa

LB - Lucas Digne, Everton

CM - Kevin De Bruyne, Manchester City

CM - James Ward-Prowse, Southampton

CM - Fabinho, Liverpool

FW - Son, Tottenham

FW - Vardy, Leicester City

FW - Bamford, Leeds

GK - Emiliano Martinez, Aston Villa

It is very hard not to like Martinez's story. A long-term backup at Arsenal who finally got his chance over lockdown helping Arsenal win an FA Cup. Arsenal then decided to sell while his value was high and sent him to Aston Villa. Last season, goalkeeping was far from a strength for Villa. Now, they have Martinez, who has a case to be the best goalkeeper in the entire league. Villa have only conceded 14 goals in 14 games, a massive reason they currently sit in 5th place.

RB - Reece James, Chelsea

The younger player of the year could be a right back two years in a row as Reece James is my favorite right now. Solid defensively and great going forward, James offers everything you would want going forward. James has become one of the first names on Chelsea's team sheet and has one goal and two assists to show so far this season. His crossing has been lethal and has deserved a few more assists this season. Chelsea's lack of goals up front has certainly not been because of a lack of service from this guy.

CB - Thiago Silva, Chelsea

Last season defense was one of Chelsea's biggest issues. Chelsea conceded 54 goals and desperately needed new leadership at the back. Even if Thiago Silva isn't a long-term solution, he has been everything Chelsea have needed this season. People questioned if Silva would still be good enough for Chelsea's issues at 36 years old, but he has more than silenced the doubters so far and continues to be one of the best center backs in the world.

CB - Fabinho, Liverpool

If Liverpool win the league this season then Fabinho is going to need a ton of respect. Liverpool are without Van Dijk the entire season and Joe Gomez has a serious injury, too. Fabinho has been showing again why he was such a valuable signing for his versatility to play multiple positions. His job is now to become the new key point at the back, and so far, he has killed it.

LB - Lucas Digne, Everton

Lucas Digne has always been one of the better left backs in the league. Under Ancelotti, Digne has only improved. Digne has always been an attacking left back and has four assists again this season and has even been solid defensively. Everton look like a serious threat for a European place and Lucas Digne has been one of their best players on their run this season. Digne has missed a few games, but I still think he is deserving of the place and could very well finish the season here.

CM - Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Tottenham

So far Hojbjerg has been one of the more surprising players in the league. Hojbjerg is yet to miss a minute so far this season for a team that has aspirations of winning a trophy. He looks like an absolute bargain that came in to become an instant leader in his side. He may not be the most influential player in terms of goals or assists, but if he is not in the team, this Tottenham side go down a level.

CM - Bruno Fernandes, Manchester United

After a more than shaky start, United find themselves in second place and right back into the title race. You can argue about who Manchester United's best player is, but right now it is hard to say anyone in that team is more important than Bruno Fernandes. Ten goals and seven assists is a fantastic tally not even halfway through the season. Fernandes may not be the most likable, but he is exactly what United need. They have needed a character like Bruno that strikes a little bit of fear into opponents and catches a lot of headlines.

Player of the Year, CM - Jack Grealish, Aston Villa

Although I don't think he will finish the season with the award, I think if it ended right now, he would. Jack Grealish is the heart and soul of Aston Villa. There would be no underdog story season without this man pulling all the strings. He has five goals and six assists from his number 10 position, while leading the entire league in chances created. Aston Villa can thank Grealish for avoiding relegation last season, and now they spent some money on some proper players to back him up, and Villa could be on their way to a season to remember. Salah or Kane could very well win Player of the Year, but if Villa comes in a European place then the award should belong to Grealish.

RW - Mo Salah, Liverpool

Again the attacking leader at Liverpool, Salah has 13 goals in their first 15 games. Liverpool haven't played at their best to start the season, but Salah has again put himself into the Player of the Year conversation. Liverpool need to appreciate him now, because he may not be at the club too much longer.

ST - Harry Kane, Tottenham

Tottenham's entire season rests on this man's shoulders. Sure he has great players around him like Son, Hojbjerg, and Ndombele, but if Kane goes down with injury, they are done for. Kane plays a little deeper than normal now under Mourinho, finding times to score goals and now create more chances for others. Kane has ten assists this season, leading the league in them, while also scoring nine goals. That is extremely impressive considering the defensive style implemented at the club under Mourinho, which is why all of Tottenham's chances at a title ride on this man's form.

LW- Heung-Min Son, Tottenham

When Son gets going he looks almost unstoppable on the ball. His quality and speed has terrorized defenses this season. Under Mourinho they have not been creating as many chances as normal, but when Son gets one, he scores it. He is severely outscoring his expected goals and in the blink of an eye he can make you pay on the counter. His partnership with Harry Kane is up there with the best in the world.

Manager of the Season- Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool

At the time of writing this, Liverpool are top of the table and still look like the favorites to win the league. If Liverpool do win, they tie Manchester United in all-time titles with 20. Dean Smith is a close second bringing Aston Villa seven points within Liverpool with two games in-hand after barely avoiding relegation last season. Although, if Liverpool win the league the award has to go to Klopp. They are without arguably their most crucial pieces over the last few seasons in Virgil Van Dijk and have had other injury issues to go along with it. No one is entirely sure who the next closest competitor is, but this year is again Liverpool's title to lose.

Runner-up: Dean Smith, Aston Villa

Honorable Mention:

GK - Karl Darlow, Newcastle

RB - Tariq Lamptey, Brighton

CB - Conor Coady, Wolves

CB - Wesley Fofana, Leicester City

LB - Ben Chilwell, Chelsea

CM - James Ward-Prowse, Southampton

CM - Kalvin Phillips, Leeds United

CM - Tanguy Ndombele, Tottenham

F - Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Everton

F - Jamie Vardy, Leicester City

F - Callum Wilson, Newcastle