The EPL London XI

With 5 capital clubs in the Premier League, we look at what 11 players a manager would pick if he had the squads of Arsenal, Chelsea, Fulham, Tottenham and West Ham at his disposal.

Goalkeeper: Petr Cech

The best goalkeeper in the Premier League for the last 6 years and also one of the best of his generation. His only real competition is Hugo Lloris of Tottenham Hotspur but clearly Cech wins the race here. Petr Cech is the second longest serving foreign goalkeeper in the Premier League behind West Ham’s Jussi Jaaskelainen. Not even the improved Arsenal keeper Szczesny would stand a chance ahead of these two.

Right-Back: Bacary Sagna

Arsenal wing-back Bacary Sagna is arguably the most consistent player in the Premier League, and also the best right-back the EPL has to offer. With pace, good passing ability and also a potent attacking threat, Sagna made his mark on the Premier League rather quickly. Although he had a below-par season last year, the French International is very much back to his best.

Centre-Back: Laurent Koscielny

Arguably the best centre-back in the Premier League, Koscielny makes the list for his leadership, intelligence and one-on-one ability. The French International reached his 100th Premier League appearance for the Gunners on Saturday against Cardif and marked it with a clean sheet as well and there is no reason why he won’t make it to 200, one of the best of this Premier League generation, he fully deserves his place on the list.

Centre-Back: John Terry

Captain, Leader, Legend as Chelsea fans like to call him. The Blues Captain still is one of the best in the league and picking a London XI without him is rather a difficult one.

Left-Back: Jan Vertonghen

The versatile defender is as good on the left as he is in the centre of a defensive quartet, and that quality sees him beat the likes of Keiran Gibbs and the injured Ashley Cole for the position of left-back. An astute signing from Tottenham, Vertonghen has developed into one of the best in England’s top flight.

Centre-Midfield: Aaron Ramsey

Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey is in the form of his life, and would currently walk into any other Premier League club’s first XI, with the possible exception of Manchester City. The young Welshman does the dirty work for Arsene’s men while also proving talented enough to rack up 8 league goals this season, the highest scoring midfielder in England so far.

Centre-Midfield: Ramires

A similar player to Aaron Ramsey, Ramires is a midfield enforcer of the highest quality. Breaking up play and launching counter-attacks, Ramires has taken the baton from Michael Essien and continues the great example the Ghanaian left on the Stamford Bridge midfield.

Centre-Midfield: Juan Mata

When talking about the best players in the Premier League, one of 2 names are often mentioned, Luis Suarez and Juan Mata. Unfortunately the Spanish International having won two consecutive Chelsea’s player of the season award has been benched by Jose Mourinho in favour of the Brazilian Oscar this season. For me, Mata is a definitive starter in the midfield ahead of Oscar mainly because of his vision and creative ability and forget about the Mourinho’s requirement that his attacking players should track back and defend.

His partnership with Hazard was wonderful last season and as the season goes by, the Spaniard should see more chances coming his side.

Right-Wing: Mesut Ozil

Although he usually plays as an attacking midfielder for Arsenal, he was deployed on the right side of an attacking trident at Real Madrid and also when he is on international duty with Germany. In his short time in the Premier League, Ozil has already shown exactly why Arsene Wenger broke his transfer record for the former Werder Bremen man.

Centre-Forward: Olivier Giroud

Definitely not your typical 30-goal a season striker, but Giroud has certainly something different to offer to a manager. With the ability to hold up the ball, play off the last defender and also with his incredible link-up play, Giroud is the perfect striker when on form. The likes of Torres, Eto’o and Soldado can give the French International a run for the money, but looking at the current campaign, Giroud wins it comfortably.

Left-Wing: Eden Hazard

The Chelsea and Belgium winger has become one of the best players in the Premier League since his move to Chelsea last summer. The former Lille man is one of the quickest and most skillful players in the world, making him a handful for the best of defences. His runs down the left flank can trouble the best of defenders.