Premier League rookie team of the season

We’ve heard it many times before – it often takes a player a season to get to grips with the pace and frantic nature of the Premier League. From Didier Drogba to Dennis Bergkamp, Thierry Henry to Henning Berg, players facing the Premier League for the first time, particularly when arriving from foreign shores, often take time to settle.

There are some though, who hit the ground running and this season has seen an influx of new recruits who have done just that. Here, we look at the best Premier League rookies this season.

Hugo Lloris (Tottenham Hotspur)

Despite an inauspicious start to life at White Hart Lane, initially playing second fiddle to the experienced Brad Friedel, Lloris has since proven himself worthy of the hefty €15m price-tag André Villas-Boas paid Lyon for the French international keeper.

Matthew Lowton (Aston Villa)

After taking the Villa Park hotseat, some questioned new boss Paul Lambert’s transfer policy – recruiting young, untried talent from the lower reaches of the English leagues, pointing to a lack of experience. At times, many of Lambert’s young new recruits have struggled to adapt to the increased quality of the Premier League. Having signed from Sheffield United for a questionable £3m, Lowton has taken everything the top-flight has thrown at him in his stride, producing consistently excellent performances all season and crowned by his wonder goal against Stoke.

Luke Shaw (Southampton)

The Southampton academy continues to produce gems every season. Following in the footsteps of the likes of Bale and Oxlade-Chamberlain, comes Luke Shaw. Still only 17, Shaw has established himself in the Southampton first team this year with excellent performances at left-back. Despite his youth, Shaw has already made the national U21 squad. If he continues his progress and with Ashley Cole entering the twilight of his career, it seems only a matter of time before we see him representing the full England squad.

Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham Hotspur)

In an era of diminishing defensive stability, Vertonghen has bucked the trend. Whether utilised at centre-back or on the left of defence, the big Belgian has brought a sense of solidity to a once fragile Spurs backline. His towering headers and no-nonsense approach, combined with his contributions going forward have meant that this year, the White Hart Lane club will make it all the way to the last day of the season before they inevitably find out they’ve missed out on a Champions League place.

Matija Nastasic (Manchester City)

In what has been, by all accounts, a fairly wretched season for the sky blue half of Manchester, the performances of summer signing Nastasic has given City’s supporters at least some sense of joy. Still only 20, the young Serbian has ousted England international Joleon Lescott from the starting line-up alongside Vincent Kompany. Despite his young age, Nastasic has been one of the most composed defenders in the league this season, winning an exemplary 90% of his tackles.

Jonathan de Guzmán (Swansea)

While most of the Swansea headlines have been reserved for a certain Spanish team-mate, Dutchman de Guzmán has quietly gone about his business in midfield, dictating the tempo of games and initiating attacks. The midfielder may not be an obvious choice in a team of the year, but his contribution to Swansea’s superb season can not be underestimated and manager Michael Laudrup would do well to make his current loanee from Villarreal a permanent fixture for next season too.

Santi Cazorla (Arsenal)

Signed for a cut-price £16.5m from debt-ridden Málaga, Cazorla has undoubtedly been one of the buys of the season, unlucky not to make any of the various teams of the year and helping Arsenal fans ease through the turmoil of losing talismanic striker Robin van Persie. The Spanish international has been at the centre of everything good Arsenal have done this year, impressing on debut and gliding effortlessly through games for the rest of the season.

Eden Hazard (Chelsea)

If there’s a better dribbler of the ball in the Premier League, we’re yet to see them. At times, the young Belgian forward has been unstoppable, forming a telepathic-like understanding with Juan Mata in the Chelsea forward line and when on form he has simply terrorised defences this season.

Kevin Mirallas (Everton)

That Everton were still in with a chance of Champions League qualification at the start of May owes much to David Moyes and his canny ability to bring in top-tier players on a fraction of the budget offered to some of his counterparts. Marouane Fellaini’s early season form propelled Everton into contention, but it has been the performances of fellow Belgian Mirallas, that has enable the club to maintain their charge towards the top four. Ultimately, the lack of a top-class centre forward has ended Everton’s challenge, but Mirallas’ form this season is sure to have sparked the imaginations of Europe’s biggest clubs.

Michu (Swansea)

Surely the signing of the season, Michu’s goals have been the driving force behind Swansea’s incredible second season in the Premier League, securing not only a mid-table finish, but also their first major trophy, winning the Capital One cup. Costing only £2m from Rayo Vallecano, the Spaniard has been a revelation since his opening day brace on debut and Swansea will surely have their work cut out to keep hold of the forward as his 18 goals this season are sure to attract the attentions of the Premier League’s elite.

Christian Benteke (Aston Villa)

Without Benteke’s goals, Aston Villa would surely be looking forward to life in the Championship next season. As it is, the young Belgian’s 19 goals this season have dragged his side out of the mire and towards safety. Combining power, strength, pace, two good feet and a composure on the ball, on his day Benteke is unplayable. Any early season thoughts that the £7m signing from Genk was no more than a direct replacement for Emile Heskey have well and truly been put to bed.