Manchester United’s midfield maestro Bruno Fernandes has been crowned the highest‑rated player in the EA SPORTS FC 26 Premier League Team of the Season (TOTS). After a campaign in which he consistently dictated play, supplied decisive passes and chipped in with a steady stream of goals, the Portuguese international earned the top spot alongside fellow stand‑outs such as Manchester City’s goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and Hungary’s dynamo Dominik Szoboszlai, both of whom also secured places in the starting eleven.
The selection reflects Fernandes’ influence throughout the 2023‑24 English top‑flight season. He was instrumental in United’s attack, registering double‑digit goal contributions, creating numerous key chances, and often stepping up in crucial moments to turn draws into wins.
His vision, work‑rate and knack for arriving late in the box made him a constant threat, and the EA SPORTS FC rating system rewarded those attributes with the highest overall score among all Premier League players. Alongside the seasoned stars, the TOTS also highlighted a number of emerging talents and first‑time starters.
Dominik Szoboszlai, who joined Liverpool after an impressive spell in Hungary, earned a place in the starting XI for the first time, showcasing his versatility as both a creator and a goal‑scorer. Similarly, Antoine Semenyo, the young winger who broke through at Bournemouth before moving to Arsenal, secured his inaugural starting spot, reflecting his rapid development and growing reputation as a dynamic attacking option. Rayan Cherki, the French prodigy who made his Premier League debut with Manchester City, also appears in the lineup, following in the footsteps of his teammate Donnarumma. Cherki’s technical flair and ability to operate across the front line impressed enough to merit a spot in the elite eleven, even though he is still in the early stages of his English career.
Erling Haaland’s inclusion marked his third consecutive appearance in an EA SPORTS FC Team of the Season, underscoring his dominance as one of the world’s premier strikers. His relentless goal‑scoring record for Manchester City has helped the club maintain a strong presence in the selection, bringing the total number of City players named this season to four.
Arsenal also made a solid showing, with four of its representatives making the cut: Gabriel, the versatile defender known for his composure and ball‑playing ability; Declan Rice, the midfield anchor who combined defensive solidity with an eye for goal; Jurrien Timber, the Dutch centre‑back praised for his reading of the game; and William Saliba, whose rise from a promising youngster to a key component of Arsenal’s back line has been nothing short of meteoric. Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella rounded out the list of senior players, earning recognition for his consistency at left‑back and his contributions both defensively and in attack. While some notable names missed out on a starting berth, they still feature among the substitutes. David Raya, the Tottenham goalkeeper, Igor Thiago, the versatile defender for Southampton, and Liverpool’s Reece James were all listed on the bench, reflecting the depth of talent across the league.
The Women’s Super League (WSL) also received its own Team of the Season. Manchester City’s Bunny Shaw topped the ratings for the women’s side, highlighting her impact as a forward who combines speed, strength, and clinical finishing.
The WSL XI also included Manchester United’s Jess Park and Maya Le Tissier, both of whom have been pivotal in their club’s attacking play. Chelsea’s record signing Alyssa Thompson made the WSL team in her debut season, a testament to her immediate adaptation to English football and her ability to influence games at the highest level. Arsenal’s Katie McCabe, a seasoned international, and Spain’s Mariona Caldentey, who joined Arsenal from Barcelona, were also recognized for their contributions throughout the campaign.
Beyond the starting line‑ups, the EA SPORTS FC platform highlighted several emerging talents as TOTS breakthrough items. Hugo Ekitike, the French forward who impressed with his dribbling and finishing for Paris Saint‑Germain before moving to England, was acknowledged despite not making the main eleven. James Garner, a promising midfielder known for his composure on the ball, and Lewis Hall, a young defender with strong aerial ability, were also featured as rising stars. The full bench for the Premier League TOTS includes a blend of established veterans and up‑and‑coming players: David Raya (93), Reece James (91), Virgil van Dijk (95), Lewis Hall (90), Granit Xhaka (91), James Garner (90), Bruno Guimarães (92), Enzo Fernandez (93), Hugo Ekitike (93), Joao Pedro (92), and Igor Thiago (92).
Their ratings reflect a combination of defensive solidity, creative flair, and goal‑scoring potential. In the women’s section, the bench showcases talent such as Freya Godfrey (91), Aoba Fujino (91), and Olivia Holdt (90), each of whom has demonstrated the ability to influence matches with technical skill and tactical awareness.
The EA SPORTS FC Team of the Season serves not only as a celebration of individual excellence but also as a snapshot of the evolving landscape of English football. It highlights how established stars continue to dominate while a new generation of players steps up to claim their place among the elite. Fans can relive the season’s most memorable moments through the game’s highlight reels, and those with access to Sky Sports can watch full Premier League coverage via the Sky Sports app.
For viewers without a Sky subscription, the platform offers instant, contract‑free access to live matches and highlights. In addition to the on‑field accolades, EA SPORTS FC continues to engage its community with interactive features such as the Super 6 competition, where participants can compete for a share of a £250,000 prize pool.
This blend of competitive gaming, real‑world football analysis, and fan interaction underscores the growing synergy between digital and traditional sports experiences. Overall, the 2023‑24 season has produced a rich tapestry of stories, from Bruno Fernandes’ top‑rated performance to the emergence of young talents across both the men’s and women’s leagues. The EA SPORTS FC Team of the Season captures these narratives, offering a comprehensive overview of the players who defined the campaign and setting the stage for the excitement that lies ahead in the next footballing year.