UEFA Conference League 2022-23: Team of the Season

The second-ever final takes place in Prague on Wednesday

The UEFA Conference League team this year consists of at least nine players between the finalists, West Ham United and Fiorentina. While West Ham are unbeaten in the competition and reached the final, La Viola are the competition's top scorers with 36 goals. However, there are a few others who are on our team of the year for the season.

Manager – David Moyes (West Ham United)

The Scotsman is probably doing a splendid job at West Ham United. In this third season, he's managed to take his side to a European final. No other West Ham United manager has been able to achieve this feat since Ron Greenwood in 1955. Can he help Declan Rice achieve the status of Bobby Moore by winning a European Cup for the Hammers? It's certainly possible, and the former Everton and Manchester United manager is our choice for the manager.

Goalkeeper – Alphonse Areola, (West Ham United)

The French international has accumulated the most clean sheets (six) in this year's UECL while also playing the most minutes among goalkeepers in the competition. With West Ham United choosing him over Fabianski in the Cup competitions, he's ensured West Ham are solid at the back and makes crucial saves to ensure progress in the competition (2.3 saves per 90).

Centre-back – Christian Biraghi (Fiorentina)

The Fiorentina captain has played largely as a fullback throughout his career, and the same has been true this season as well. He's been able to conjure a UECL-leading six assists. He's also among the top five big chances created, with a lethal Fiorentina frontline converting most of them. However, his ability to play across the backline and his leadership are also important factors in La Viola's rise to the final.

Centre-back – Lucas Martínez Quarta (Fiorentina)

The Argentine centre-back has been a solid player in a formidable backline for Fiorentina this season. His consistency has improved multifold and has been reflected in his performances in the UECL this year. He's among the top interceptors (1.7 per 90) in the competition. In addition, his clearances (2.2 per 90) in the last line have been crucial in tracking back while defending in a high line. He gets on the team based on the quality of his performances.

Centre-back – Nayef Aguerd (West Ham United)

The Moroccan is among the best centre-backs in Europe’s top five leagues this year. His performance at the World Cup in Qatar caught the eye of many top clubs across Europe, with Liverpool and Tottenham among the interested parties. He's among the top clearance (2.9 per 90) makers in the competition, especially with West Ham's ability to defend deep. He's also blocked five shots on goal and is a guaranteed starter for West Ham in the UEFA Europa Conference League this year.

Right-midfield – Nicolas Gonzalez (Fiorentina)

The Argentine wide player is also having a particularly impressive season and has been among the goalscorers for Fiorentina. He's already won the World Cup this year and now has another opportunity to win a final for his club. He's been among the top scorers in the competition this year with five goals so far and is a constant threat in front of goal with 3.9 shots per 90 (top five). His prolific nature and threat help him make the team.

Central-midfield – Tijjani Reijnders (AZ Alkmaar)

The Dutchman's presence in midfield has been the reason AZ made progress until the semifinals. He appeared in all 12 matches for his side and scored once and assisted twice in the competition. He has a 91% pass accuracy while also being among the top volume passers in the competition. He's created the third-highest number of goal-scoring chances in the UECL with 25 and helped AZ create the second-most chances in the competition behind Fiorentina. Ajax are interested in his services, and it's easy to see why he gets on our team.

Central-midfield – Declan Rice (West Ham United)

The England international is among the best players to come out of West Ham United. He's been a regular for England and reached the semifinals and finals of the World Cup and European Championship, respectively. His ability to win the ball in the defensive third (1.6 per 90) and press throughout the match brings dynamism to the Hammers midfield and helps our team.

Left-midfield – Giacomo Bonaventura (Fiorentina)

The veteran leader of the Fiorentina side, Bonaventura, has been the most influential player for Fiorentina in the UECL, along with compatriot Biraghi. This season, he has the most chances (eight), as well as the second most chances (26), in the UEFA Conference League. With Nico Gonzalez and Cabral at the receiving end of his passes, he'll be crucial in the final hurdle for Fiorentina as well, breaking down a stubborn West Ham side and getting into the team of the season.

Forward – Arthur Cabral (Fiorentina)

The Brazilian has been the sole reason Fiorentina have been the highest-scoring side in the UEFA Conference League. He's the competition's top scorer with seven goals and scores nearly a goal per game (0.96 goals per 90). Despite missing five big chances, he'll be the man to deliver on the big occasion in the final, especially given his form in the penalty box.

Forward – Mikael Ishak (Lech Poznan)

The 30-year-old Swedish forward arguably had his best individual season. He's been the most prolific attacker in the Europa Conference League with five goals and four assists, the highest in the competition. Despite his side being knocked out in the quarterfinals, he gets on this side for his incredible impact whenever on the field.

Forward – Michail Antonio (West Ham United)

Michail Antonio has played in all eight matches in the Conference League this season for West Ham, averaging 64 minutes per game. He's the second-highest-scoring forward in the competition with six goals and has scored against every opponent in the knockout stage, including braces against AEK and Gent. He'll look to cap off a brilliant career with the Hammers with a trophy to his name.