My EPL team of the season

 

Roar Guru

By zacbrygel, 20 May 2012 zacbrygel is a Roar Guru

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 English Premier League, football, Manchester City, Robin van Persie, Wayne Rooney

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The sun has just set on a history making Premier League season, which captivated us all right to the very end.

To cap off what was a fantastic campaign, I’ve decided to pick my EPL team of the season in a steady 4-1-3-2 formation.

Here’s who I think deserve to be in the Premier League team of the season.

Goalkeeper – Joe Hart: The Englishman was fantastic all season in a superb City outfit. The talented 25 year old kept 16 clean sheets and conceded only 27 goals in the season, which is eight less than his nearest rival David De Gea of Manchester United. A clear cut choice for the goalkeeping position.

Right Back – Kyle Waker: The 21 year old from Tottenham Hotspur has enjoyed a breakthrough season at the club, where he truly stamped himself as one of the best defenders in the league. An attacking defender, he proved to the football world that he is a force with the dead ball after a 25 metre stunner against Blackburn Rovers in April. This guy can only improve and rivals better watch out.

Right Centre Back – Vincent Kompany: The rock of the title winning defence, Vincent Kompany has proved himself as one of the best centre backs in the world. The captain of Manchester City also scored the most important goal in his career thus far, when he scored the winner against Manchester United to put City on top of the Premier League table.

Left Centre Back – Laurent Koscielny: WHAT? The Arsenal defender may not be a common choice among other Premier League teams of the season however this is a notable exception. The 26 year old from France produced some outstanding statistics during the season including an 82 percent tackle success rate, a good return of six goals which was the highest of any centre back in the league, as well as leading the league with an outstanding 104 interceptions and 85 tackles. As they say, the statistics don’t lie.

Left Back – Leighton Baines: The versatile Everton defender didn’t quite replicate his incredible form from the 2010 – 2011 season this time around, however he was still good enough to make my team. Dangerous on the dead ball, Baines also isn’t the man you want to see running down the flank about to whip in a cross if you are part of the opposition. Remarkably, the Everton left back didn’t make one defensive error this season, a statistic that proves he is comfortable at both ends of the pitch.

Central Defensive Midfielder – Yaya Toure: The man known as ‘the human train’ is a complete superstar. The Ivorian midfielder provided the grunt for the title-winning City and was sorely missed in the loss to Arsenal as well as the second half of the history making QPR match. Without a doubt, this man deserves all the plaudits he receives.

Right Attacking Midfielder – Luka Modric: The Tottenham playmaker had a great season at White Hart Lane after a controversial start to the season where he ruled himself out of the first game, citing headspace issues. The man is central to any future Hotspur success and at the moment they couldn’t live without him.

Central Attacking Midfielder – Clint Dempsey: What a superb season from the American who was a workhorse in the midfield as well as piling on a fantastic 23 goals for the side at Craven Cottage. However now the big money offers will be flooding in and, for a team like Fulham, their chances of keeping the 29 year old on their roster next season look increasingly doubtful.

Left Attacking Midfielder – David Silva: Barring January to March, the Spanish star was dominant all season, constantly setting up City attacks with excellent skill, touch and creativity. Let’s not forget his outstanding free kick and long range shooting skills either.

Right Striker – Wayne Rooney: The United talisman once again proved his enormous worth to Alex Ferguson’s squad, netting an impressive 27 goals for the season. The former Everton striker was crucial to United’s fantastic form in the middle part of the season and he would be frustrated as to how some of his team mates didn’t perform at the tail end of the season, which ultimately cost them the title.

Left Striker – Robin Van Persie: The first name on my team sheet, Robin Van Persie was a standout all season scoring a fantastic 30 goals as well as chiming in with nine assists. The 28 year old almost single handedly pushed Arsenal into third position, as well as making sure the club is among Champions League football next season. He truly deserved the honour of PFA player’s player of the year award.

Substitutes

Gareth Bale – The speedy winger once again had a great season at Tottenham Hotspur. He could count himself lucky to get the nod on the bench ahead of Cisse as, though Cisse only played 14 games, he scored a remarkable 13 goals.

Antonio Valencia – When in form the Ecuadorian and Manchester United winger is almost as good as anyone, as was proven this year. He just needs to avoid the injuries, so he can keep on mesmerising defenders week in week out.

Demba Ba – Was crucial to Newcastle’s fantastic rise to fifth position as he scored 16 goals up until February, where he was virtually up front alone, before Cisse arrived.

Branislav Ivanovic – Was astounding in defence, evidenced by the fact that he had no defensive errors all season, as well as a 77 percent winning percentage in aerial battles. Very unlucky not to get the nod for the right back position.

Tim Howard – Was a standout all season in a solid Everton side. Often came up with the goods at the crucial moments, evident by his outstanding penalty save ratio of 50 percent.

Ashley Cole – The Chelsea left back’s season was curtailed by injuries, however each time he took to the pitch he produced outstanding displays. Withstanding injuries, the Chelsea veteran is a class above all the left backs in the league.

Fabricio Coloccini – The sideshow Bob lookalike was crucial to Newcastle’s impressive season, where his sublime passing from defence to attack resulted in a number of Newcastle goals. A fantastic season from a much improved player.

Honourable mentions: Alex Song, Sergio Aguero, Michel Vorm, Pablo Zabaleta, Papiss Cisse, Gareth Barry.

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