2007/2008
Matt Quinn gives his run down on who he thinks deserves to be in the Premier League team of the season. You may agree, you disagree, either way, we would love to hear your thoughts.
GK – David James
A truly excellent season by James was capped by his recent nomination for PFA player of the Season. He has almost single-handedly thrust Portsmouth to the FA Cup final with a number of breathtaking displays along the way. His performances in the league have not been bad either. All in all, while Friedel and Howard have also excelled this year, I just can’t see past England’s rightful number one. He’s also done wonders for my fantasy football team. Good lad.
RB – Bakary Sagna
“Bakery who?” was the question on Gunners fans lips at the start of the season. It took about 90mins to get an answer. Probably, along with Torres, the signing of the season and certainly the best value for money. Needing no time to adapt to the pace of the Premier league or Arsenal’s fluid passing style, he has easily been the stand-out right back of the season. His true value to Arsenal was fully appreciated recently when his injury caused a downturn in fortunes for the Gunners and their suddenly permeable defence.
LB – Gael Clichy
Probably the toughest decision in the whole team. There was really nothing to separate either Clichy or Evra. I’m not totally sure they aren’t the exact same player who gets double pay to turn out for Arsenal and United on a weekend. Clichy gets the nod mainly because he has stepped up to the mantle of replacing Ashley Cole with consummate ease. Evra had a shaky period of adaption last season, although has been most impressive this year. If Gareth Bale had remained fit it may have been a three-way tussle but Clichy gets the nod as he has banished all memories of that little scrotum, Cole.
CB – Rio Ferdinand
For years, ive never been able to understand the criticism levelled at Ferdinand. He has always seemed to me to be light years ahead of the rest of Englands defenders. Finally he appears to be getting the credit he deserves and his recent elevation to England captain has been the pinnacle of his year. When in the mood, possibly the finest defender in the world.
CB – Joleon Lescott
Goalscoring defenders are something of an enigma to me. Generally defenders only seem to be praised when they chip in with a few goals. Indeed, more often than not these goals can actually mask deficiencies in their overall performances, leading to excessive acclaim. Please see Harte, Ian. However, Lescott seems to be a rare breed of goal-scoring defender. He can actually defend. His performances have led to an impressive Everton defence, even though he has been regularly played out of position at left back. I’ve brought him into the middle here, despite stiff competition from Martin Laursen and Nemanja Vidic.
RW – Cristiano Ronaldo
The Portuguese winger scrapes into the team. Just.
CM – Cesc Fabregas
While his form and Arsenals season has tailed off a bit recently, his performances this year have ranged from very good to phenomenal. He is the fulcrum of the team and dictates the pace and tempo of each game he plays in. This year he has particularly sparkled in the bigger games, dictating play against United, AC Milan, Liverpool and Derby. He added goals to his game at the start of the season and while these have dried up recently, his creativity and influence has not.
CM – Michael Carrick
I struggled to think of another centre midfielder to include next to Fabregas. The likes of Makelele, Essien, Lampard, Flamini, Barry, Arteta, Mascherano all deserve a mention, but I just feel that United’s season has been, thus far, extremely impressive and one of the reason for that is the vastly underrated Michael Carrick. If you look at all of United’s “big” games, he is always picked. The rest of the midfield gets rotated. Anderson, Hargreaves, Scholes, Nani have all come in and out during the season. Carrick stays in that holding role and sprays the passes around, keeping possession and making angles. Ferguson knows the importance of Carrick to United and hopefully, Capello will too, soon.
LW – Ashley Young
When Ashley Young plays, Aston Villa play. Everything constructive and creative comes from his right and left boots. A genuinely two-footed player with pace and awareness should be a shoo-in for the current, insipid England team, although he has been strangely overlooked recently. 17 assists this year in the premier league has only been matched by Cesc Fabregas, as he has more than paid off the £9m price tag that hung ominously round his neck last year. Young has also branched out into the online world, where he has enjoyed similar success.
FW – Fernando Torres
Another one that doesn’t need much explaining. A superb first season in the Premier league, he can handle the physical stuff, never moans and then goes on to consistently produce moments of sparkling skill. When Liverpool signed the Spaniard, I knew he was a superb all round player, but I wondered whether he would score enough goals to justify his price tag. Not a great prediction from me. Up there with confidently stating that Craig Bellamy would win PFA player of the year last year. Anyway, back to Torres. Hes good. Really good… and sometimes I have unnatural thoughts about him.
FW – Roque Santa Cruz
Having never scored more than 4 goals in a season for Bayern Munich, it seemed the Paraguayan would be little more than a bit part player at Ewood Park, playing second fiddle to Benni McCarthy. Not only has he scored 16 league goals but he has banished McCarthy to the bench on more than one occasion this year. Another who has needed little time to adapt to the Premiership, thanks mainly to his impressive aerial ability and David Bentleys service. Adebayor, Rooney (who I think has had a superb season) and Berbatov all deserve a mention, but I thought it would be nice to put someone from Blackburn in my team.
Subs
Nemaja Vidic
A rock at the back of Uniteds defence. Again.
Alexander Hleb
Brilliantly watchable dribbler. Much improved season.
Martin Petrov
One of the signings of the season. Direct, pacy and excellent awareness. Taken over the mantle from Elano as City’s main creator.
Marlon Harewood
Super-sub. Always makes things happen when he comes on for Villa. His goals (6) per minutes played ratio can only be beaten by Ronaldo.
