Fiorentina goal machine Vlahovic stars in Serie A team of 2021
With Serie A enterining it's winter break, it's time to take stock of 2021 in Italy top tier. As such, we round up the best rated XI of the calendar year of those to have made 20 or more apps. Those who have departed for pastures new are also excluded, so Cristiano Ronaldo and Romelu Lukaku, among others, don't come into the reckoning on the back of their summer moves to Manchester United and Chelsea, respectively, with Inter, Napoli and Juventus all represented.
Napoli are the dominant side in this XI with David Ospina (6.84) featuring between the sticks. Only Samir Handanovic (20) has kept more clean sheets than Ospina (14) in Italy's top tier this year, while a 75% save success rate is the second best in the league in 2021 to kick off the XI.
Juan Cuadrado (Juventus) - 7.22
The first of two Juventus players to make the grade, Juan Cuadrado (7.22) has returned a respectable seven assists this year, those coming from 67 key passes, the 11th best in the division in 2021, while 17 clear-cut chances created ranked third. In addition, Cuadrado completed 50 dribbles to star at right-back.
Remaining in Turin, Bremer's good form for Torino hasn't gone unnoticed with the Brazilian casting watchful glances from the Premier League. Bremer's superb reading of the game has seen him make 103 interceptions this year, the third most in Serie A, to help yield a WhoScored rating of 7.11.
Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli) - 6.99
Joining Bremer at the heart of the defence is the second Napoli representative. Kalidou Koulibaly (6.99) has been a solid performer for the Naples once more in 2021. His stock may have dropped, but the 30-year-old continues to be a key man for the Serie A title hopefuls.
Robin Gosens (Atalanta) - 7.10
Injury has restricted Robin Gosens to just six league appearances this season, but the German rounds off the defence with a WhoScored rating of 7.10. Gosens has had a direct hand in 13 goals in 28 appearances in 2021, a fine return for the Atalanta star, to help secure a spot in this side.
Domenico Berardi (Sassuolo) - 7.28
2021 has been a good year for Domenico Berardi (7.28), with the Sassuolo sensation nailing down the right wing spot in this side. Only a handful of players had a direct hand in more goals than the Italy international (27) this year, as he continues to prove to be Sassuolo's danger man.
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (Lazio) - 7.33
Featuring in the middle of the park, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic has enjoyed something of a renaissance to his Lazio career having earned a fine WhoScored rating of 7.33 this year. 107 tackles and interceptions combined, the 24th best in 2021, contributed towards his inclusion, so too did his 11 assists; only one player made more.
Hakan Calhanoglu (Inter) - 7.26
The only Inter player to make the side spent the first half of the year with rivals AC Milan. Only one player made more key passes than Hakan Calhanoglu (91) in 2021, with 10 assists ranking among the top 10 in Serie A to help the Turkey star to a WhoScored rating of 7.26.
Lorenzo Insigne (Napoli) - 7.46
Finishing the midfield and the Napoli contingent is Italy star Lorenzo Insigne. A WhoScored rating of 7.46 is the best of all Serie A players in 2021 with Insigne ranking fifth for successful dribbles (68) this year. 18 goals was the fifth best, as was 84 key passes, with the 30-year-old shining in Serie A.
Paulo Dybala (Juventus) - 7.31
The second Juventus man in the side is striker Paulo Dybala. After an injury-hit 2020/21 season, the Argentine is again excelling out of the shadow of Cristiano Ronaldo as a WhoScored rating of 7.31 sees him feature on the frontline.
Dusan Vlahovic (Fiorentina) - 7.27
The breakout star of 2021, of the 37 league goals Dusan Vlahovic has scored since the start of last season, 33 came this calendar year, at least nine more than any other player. The Serb is a wanted man on the continent and after such a fine goal haul across 43 appearances in 2021, it's easy to see why, with Vlahovic rounding off the XI with a WhoScored rating of 7.27.
