I do this exercise four times every year, and have been doing it for the past seven years. It is always difficult to pick the best XI players for their respective positions, it is fun, interesting, controversial, and very tough.
I made this team at the quarter way mark of the season. We will be comparing the current team with the previous one, seeing which players maintained and strengthened their positions, which players had to bow out, and who are the new entrants.
1. Goalkeeper – Michel Vorm (Swansea City)
Not only has Vorm kept his position in the team, he has further strengthened it. It was a difficult decision at the quarter mark to choose him, but it’s relatively easy now. Currently the best penalty stopper, his commanding presence in the box, and his organisation of a relatively mediocre defense has been exemplary. He has clearly been the find of the season, kudos to the Swansea City scouts for bringing the Dutch stopper to England.
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Substitute – Tim Krul (Newcastle United)
Defenders
2. Right Back – Phil Jones (Manchester United)
Before I get abused and bashed for this selection, I would like to clarify, he has by no means been the best right back this season, not even close, he has played as Right Back, Center Back and as a Central Midfielder. And hence he is in the team, as he just has to be there, for the youth, versatility, and the ability to play in any position he is asked to. This 19 year old definitely has a great future ahead of him, both for United and England. Purely as a right back I would probably pick one of Kyle Walker and Micah Richards.
Substitute – Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspurs)
3. Center Back – Vincent Kompany (Manchester City) (c)
“Again a very simple decision to make. The best center back in the Premiership, by a mile. What Vidic was for United last season, Kompany has been for City this season so far. Also being the club captain, he has a commanding presence in the box and has more than made up for Hart’s poor form. This beast of a man makes some deadly tackles in the box, and is a master at defending set pieces, an envy of every other team, he is most likely to pick the premiership trophy this season.”
This was my description of Kompany in the previous article, nothing seems to have changed, apart from Joe Hart’s form. City will have to hope his suspension doesn’t hurt them much. I am not a big fan of City, but it is difficult not to like this man.
Substitute – Martin Skrtl (Liverpool)
4. Center Back - Fabricio Coloccini (Newcastle United)
Newcastle have conceded 18 goals in the 19 matches he has played this season, and 6 in the 2 matches he hasn’t, co-incidence? He has been a wonderful captain. His improvement this season has been phenomenal. The long haired Argentinian has a bright future ahead of him, most Geordie’s will hope it is with their side.
Substitute – Chris Samba (Blackburn)
5. Left Back – Jose Enrique (Liverpool)
Liverpool may have bought some players in the recent past who haven’t impressed, especially Henderson and Carroll, but this Spaniard is an absolute gem. He’s just the perfect left back, defending and attacking very well. You can see him making quick runs down the flank. Here’s hoping he is soon called up for the Spain squad.
Substitute – Leighton Baines (Everton)
Midfielders
6. Central Midfielder – Yaya Toure (Manchester City)
He wasn’t in the previous team, but has easily dispossessed Scott Parker, not because Parker’s performances have gone down, but because Toure has been phenomenal, and City seem to be very dependent on this towering beast in the middle of the field. Tackling, interceptions, crosses, key passes, he has done it all. He is off to the ACN right now, and it seems City may have a tough time replacing him. Mancini admitted he was the only person in their team who is irreplaceable.
Substitute – Tiote / Cabaye (Newcastle United)
7. David Silva (Manchester City)
He was in the Best XI, he is now and will definitely be there at the end of the season. I am very fond of this little Spaniard and showered lavish praise for him last time around.
“I will not define a role for him, as he plays everywhere , a false number 9, a number 10, a striker, a creative midfielder, a defensive midfielder, he does it all, and he does it all so perfectly. Seeing him glide across the pitch, create those wonderful through balls, is almost FIFA-esque . He is the closest the EPL has to a Xavi or a Iniesta.”
Things haven’t changed much. He remains a delight to watch.
Substitute – Luka Modric (Tottenham Hotspurs)
8. Right Wing – Nani (Manchester United)
He wasn’t there last time around, an obvious mistake on my side, he has been committed to the cause and puts in a lot of effort. His crosses and finishing have been consistently effective. His team mates look up to him to do something out of the ordinary. A born athlete, he can track back at a very fast pace when needed.Manager’s like having a player like him in the team.
Substitute – Daniel Sturridge (Chelsea)
9. Left Wing – Gareth Bale (Tottenham Hotspurs)
He has become even better, and his performances in December have just been phenomenal. He seems to be faster with the ball than most footballer’s are without it. And he is not just about speed, he has got a very good footballing mind. Spur’s title challenge relies a lot on this Flying Welshman.
Substitute – Juan Mata (Chelsea)
Strikers
10. Demba Ba (Newcastle United)
15 goals this season, responsible for more than 50 % of Newcastle’s goals this season, and joined this summer on a free transfer. It makes you want to call Padrew a genius. Some of Ba’s finishing’s have been just brilliant. The way he is so confidently scoring goals this season puts him ahead of players like Aguero and Rooney in this list. With him off for the ACN till the end of February, Newcastle are definitely going to have a lot of difficulty in finding the goals.
Substitute – Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)
11. Robin van Persie (Arsenal)
By far the simplest decision to make, the best player in England in 2011, 17 goals already in the EPL this season, 34 goals last year, and the main reason Arsenal are still in the race for a Champion’s League spot. He was always known to be a special striker, but injuries troubled him. Being fully fit last year, he scored some scrumptious goals, especially the volley against Everton. Arsenal’s hopes this season depend a lot on his fitness and form.
Substitute – Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)
That is my team of the season so far, what is yours?
