The 2008-9 season of the Barclays English Premier League has shown many highlights, which justifies why playing in the EPL is worth more money than playing football anywhere else in the world.
Even though there have been some setbacks on and off the field, the clubs have made this title race even more special than others.
Issues which have made this competition more nail biting include Manchester United possibly equalling Liverpool’s all time record of eighteen league titles; Newcastle facing relegation after sixteen years in the ‘top flight’; and Everton, Arsenal, West Ham and Aston Villa all fighting for the fourth place spot, which would put them into Champions League qualification.
As the season comes to an end, this dream team is based on an eighteen man squad and a 4-4-2 formation.
GOAL KEEPERS:
The goal keepers who have stood out throughout the season with consistency on clean sheets are Jose Reina (LIV) and Edwin Van Der Sar (MANU). These two are in great form and have contributed to their sides’ successes.
Another two goal keepers who have shown their talent and have become ‘ripe’ over the 2008-9 season are Mark Schwarzer (FUL) and Shay Given (NEW). These two keepers have shown great talent, but at the same time, one brings wisdom to the game and the other one brings youth. The major similarity between the two is that they both have great leadership skills.
DEFENDERS:
The four defenders who have shown great leadership and talent for many years, and especially this year, start with Joleon Lescott (EVE), who has displayed incredible fitness and ability to be a goal scoring defender.
The CLB role should go to John Terry (CHE), who has had a mixed season this year due to injury but his presence is felt when on the field with his leadership skills.
The CRB role deserves to go to Lucas Neill (WHU). Even at a young age, Lucas is highly regarded by his club and the football community in England. His leadership skills have also been shown on the international stage.
Finally, the RB role should go to Jamie Carragher (LIV). Over the years, Jamie has cemented his spot as commander in the defensive line for Liverpool and his success has shown both on and off the pitch.
MIDFIELDERS:
Once again this season, midfielders in all 20 clubs have made the game more free flowing, attacking and more entertaining for the 2008-9 season.
The LM position should go to Christano Ronaldo (MANU), who last season scored around 30 goals and still continued his dominance around the park. If United are going to win the premiership, this man must fire.
The LCM position should be awarded to Michael Ballack (CHE), who had really hit form this season due to having no injuries but also because of the opportunities given to him by both Grant and Hiddink.
The RCM position and captains arm band deservedly goes to Steven Gerrard (LIV), a lethal weapon at scoring range from anywhere around the pitch.
Finally the RM position should go to Tim Cahill (EVE), dangerous in both the air and the penalty box. His fitness when at its peak definitely shows how it has an effect on how Everton plays.
Other Midfielders which have stood out this year are Joe Cole (CHE), Michael Carrick (MANU), Xabi Alonso (LIV), Cesc Fabregas (ARS), Aaron Lennon (TOT) and Kevin Nolan (BOL).
STRIKERS:
So far this season around 700 goals have been scored and around half of those goals have been scored by strikers.
The LS position should go to Emmanuel Adebayor (ARS). This man has not scored the most goals in this season, but has shown great talent and skill on the pitch.
The RS position must go to Fernando Torres (LIV), who has scored 13 goals. The ‘COP’ truly loves him. This has been one of the most successful transfers Liverpool has ever made and he has shown why he was worth around £27 million.
Other strikers who have also stood out this season include Wayne Rooney (MANU), Andrey Arshavin (ARS), and Robinho (MANC).
So the 2008-9 dream team is:
GK- Jose Reina (LIV)
LB- Joleon Lescott (EVE)
LCB- John Terry (CHE)
RCB- Lucas Neill (WHU)
RB- Jamie Carragher (LIV)
LM- Christiano Ronaldo (MANU)
LCM- Michael Ballack (CHE)
RCM- Steven Gerrard (LIV) ©
RM-Tim Cahill (EVE)
LS- Emmanuel Adebayor (ARS)
RS- Fernando Torres (LIV)
Reserves:
1. Edwin Van De Sar (MANU) (GK)
2. Ryan Taylor (NEW)
3. Michael Turner (HULL)
4. Michael Carrick (MANU)
5. Cesc Fabregas (ARS)
6. Kevin Nolan (BOL)
7. Robinho (MANC)
The race to the end of the premiership season is getting more intense. How will teams react? Who will win? Who will get relegated?
All these questions will be answered within five weeks time.
latfy
Guest
peter cech vidic terry evra (L) bogsiwa(R) gerrad ballack(C) robinho(R) nani(L) drogba Adebayor Subs: Torres, arshavin,ferdinand,van de sar,gallas,carrick,deco,wrigt philips
king23
Guest
what is going on with arsenal this year? i mean finishing 4th,come on!!. we all know that they can do better that.
drew
Guest
what about moreton gamst pederson? imo the most underrated player in the EPL! id give him a reserve spot he is quick, brilliant touch, can hit a free kick and gets forward really well id include him too
Midfielder
Guest
Ian ARRRRRRRRr some of those names ARRRRRRRRRRrr
Ian Noble
Guest
Midfielder What no Gordon Banks, Bobby Charlton, Tom Finney, Stanley Matthews, Billy Wright, Dixie Dean, I could go on......
Midfielder
Guest
What about the all time best 11 say from 1920 ... only Bobby Moore & George Best are cert's IMO.
dasilva
Roar Guru
Being serious now. THere is one Australian player who is a realistic contender to the epl dream team and that is Mark Schwarzer. He has the highest shot to save ratio in the EPL. http://blogs.sunherald.com.au/matthewhall/archives/2009/04/schwarzer_engla.html
Andy "jazza" Staynor
Guest
WOW!! I can't belive such bias towards Aussie players - they barely rae a mention, imo. If they WERE that good, they'd be playing for the top 4 teams - but they're NOT. End of. The PFA chose their own team & I think it's pretty close, so I'll go with tis team: 4-4-2 Van der Saar Carragher (L) Ferdinand Vidic Lescott (R) Rooney Gerrard Lampard Ronaldo Torres Anelka Subs: Berbatov, Lennon, Terry, Reina, Adebayor, Arshavin
drew
Guest
Wow, that was surprising. I have to agree with the mood of these comments, the Aussies are all loved and good players, but no in the best XI my team would be Reina Carragher Terry Vidic Jagielka C Ronaldo Gerrard (despite what is said about his injuries he is electrifying when playing) Lampard (as the holding role will only compliment Gerard) Lennon Torres Berbatov
dasilva
Roar Guru
My EPL Dream Team Schwarzer Lescott Neill Leijer Carragher Grella Emerton Garcia Cahill Anelka Viduka No bias at all :)
Slippery Jim
Roar Rookie
I fear no one is being absolutely, stone cold, objective about this important issue. Happily, I will fill this role on behalf of all in the interests of a fair and accurate evaluation for the ages: Premier League Dream Team 2008/2009 (4-1-2-1-2, diamond midfield) GK- Jose Reina (LIV) LB- Joleon Lescott (EVE) LCB- John Terry (CHE) © RCB- Nemanja Vidic (MANU) RB- Jamie Carragher (LIV) LM- Frank Lampard (CHE) DM- Gareth Barry (AST) RM- Steven Gerrard (LIV) AM-Christiano Ronaldo (MANU) LS- Emmanuel Adebayor (ARS) RS- Nicolas Anelka (CHE) Reserves: 1. Mark Schwarzer (FUL) (GK) 2. Gary Cahill (BOL) 3. Joleon Lescott (EVE) 4. Neves Denilson (ARS) 5. Steven Ireland (MANC) 6. Dimitar Berbatov (MANU) 7. Dirk Kuyt (LIV)
baz_tah
Roar Rookie
look i understand about vidic and yes he is a great player after u think bout it but every time i see him play it seems like he always gets in trouble with free kicks and cards
Pu Ti Klahc
Guest
Mattay, I was suprised when Vidic wasn't selected.. but continued to read... It was when Michael Ballack was picked that I then stopped... I don't know the stats but Michael Ballack wouldnt have started half the games this year, and hasn't socred many goals either. I'll have a quick go at my team. GK: Van Der Sar (just ahead of Reina, based purely on the record set, has had a crappy time of it lately, but so has reina.) RB: J. Carragher (works hard, is versitile and the best Liverpool defender) CB: P. Jagielka (has had a terrific season, rewarded with England selection) CB: N. Vidic (Arguably the Premier Leagues most valuable player this season) LB: P. Evra (apart from a few injuries has been unbeatable) RM: A. Lennon (Toss up with Ronaldo, and although he has scored 15 goals, Ronaldo hasn't been a dandergous.) CM: G. Barry (Had a terrific first half to the year, and has continued to play very well) CM: X. Alonso (Is very under-rated. Gerrard has had a great season but has been injured alot and doesn't play aswell at CM as he does when he sits in behind) LM: R. Giggs (I will admit his champs league form was part of my decision, has had a stunning season) RF: F. Torres (Been injured a fair bit but will probably end up topping the goal-scoring charts) LF: W. Rooney (Based on early season form and is dangerous all over the park. Has an amazing workrate) Reserves P. Riena (very good season) J. Terry (I had one defensive position left and it was close between M. Upson, J. Woodgate, J. Lescott and R. Ferdinand, Terry go the nod because of his leadership, presence in the game and played the majority of the season) A. Young (early season form was incredible, just missed out to Giggs) C. Ronaldo (One of the best in the World) S. Gerrard (Very good season, and has an amazing partnership with Torres) S. Ireland (This bloke is a freak) M. Carrick (Controls the play for Manchester Utd and deserves his place after another great season) Honourable Mentions: G. Agbonlahor (had an excellent start to the season, but has tailed off) B. Emerton (was Blackburns best until he got injured) F. Lampard (very good player but just didn't fit into the team) D. Fletcher (very solid midfielder who has had a fine season)
Mattay
Guest
I stopped reading when Vidic wasn't included as a defender.
Elliot Lodge
Roar Pro
Byron mate, you cant be serious about some of the selections. There are so many better defenders than Lucas Niell in this competition, and as the above comment said, some of the players you have selected have just spent so much time on the sidelines that they surely cant warrant selection. Having both Neill and Cahill there surely offers a biast calls to come out.
Brian
Guest
Is this team serious Gerrard, Cahill, Adebayor & Torres have all had significant time-out with injuries. Fabregas has missed half the season. Neill is in the team and Ballack makes it after being worst than last season by his own admission - enough said
Sammy C
Guest
I'm as proud an aussie as the next person, but Neil doesn't warrant a place there. He doesnt even get played in the CB position at the spammers. Isn't he playing as a CDM at the moment? Cahill is a great player - but not in the dream team for this season. Not when you look at the other RM options in the EPL.