European Team of the Season: DC - Federico Fazio (Roma)

“Everyone in Italy is shocked and surprised that you’ve been playing so well,” was a backhanded compliment from one reporter to Federico Fazio this season. The gargantuan Argentine excelled for Roma this season to earn a WhoScored.com rating of 7.50. 

Time and time again, the 30-year-old was exposed for his lack of pace in the Premier League and with Tottenham head coach Mauricio Pochettino demanding a high defensive line, Fazio’s departure came as no shock. Yet while the centre-back struggled in England, he has thrived in Italy, playing an influential role in Roma’s second place finish. A knack of being in the right place at the right time saw Fazio make more clearances (267) than any other player in Serie A this season and ensured Roma conceded just 38 goals over the campaign; only champions Juventus (27) shipped fewer. 

He also routinely put his 6’5” frame to good use, winning the third most aerial duels (125) in Italy’s top tier, as the physically imposing defender dominated over the course of the campaign. The former Sevilla man may have looked out of place in England, but with the extra time on the ball and a greater focus on positional awareness rather than speed across the ground, Fazio was able to succeed in Serie A. His performances in fact earned him at least three more WhoScored man of the match awards (7) than any other centre-back in Europe's top five leagues this season. 

Fazio may have been the butt of jokes during his forgettable spell in England, but he has come on leaps and bounds once more in Italy and established himself as one of the best in his position in Serie A. Many a Spurs fan won’t shed a tear once his permanent switch to Roma is confirmed, yet there’s proof here that in the right setup in the ideal league, any player can excel, with Fazio reforming above expectations over the last nine months to earn his spot in our European team of the season.