The idea for this article came from a friend of mine who
suggested doing a review of the season, but as I missed parts of the season due
to other commitments, it seemed to wiser to do it as best eleven. No doubt some
readers will disagree with my choices, but that goes with the territory.
Goalkeeper – Joe Hart
One of the two defensive towers that Manchester City’s has
built upon, he rarely has a bad game or even makes mistakes. During some games
when City weren’t performing, it would often be Hart that made the difference
between the results, pulling off saves that he had no right to make. Commands
his area with an authority that the great goalkeepers have. Bound to be City
and England’s number one for many, many years.
Right Back - Tony Hibbert
Maybe a strange choice for some, but he offers a reliable
and no nonsense style of defending. Always reliable and ever the professional,
although sometimes sacrificing the offensive for the defensive, it allows the
man in front of him to go forward freely and do the damage whilst knowing that
he behind him, Hibbert is their offering him a safety net.
Centre Back – Vincent Kompany
The second defensive tower in City’s team, like Joe Hart
rarely under performs, always giving true captains performances, which seem to
inspire the rest of his team. Reads the game very well, like world class
defenders can, seeing the danger early and cutting it out before the attack has
the chance to gather any momentum or allow the ball into dangerous areas.
Easily Manchester City’s best signing, and at around £6million, an absolute
bargain.
Centre Back – Fabricio Coloccini
After an initial rough period early in his English career,
Coloccini has come back as a true well rounded defender, capable in handling
one on one encounters with attackers and of organizing his defence tightly.
After this great season, Newcastle will no doubt field offers for him (and many
of their other players) after he has finally reached his potential that showed
many years ago with Boca Juniors.
Left Back – Ashley Cole
The most consistent left back, not just in the league, but
probably the world in the last year, surpassing many of the other left backs that
peaked for a few years before sliding back down into mediocrity. His pace is
enough to get him out of bad situations, but with his solid defensive abilities
and tactical knowledge, a mistake is often a rare occurrence. Offers as much
going forward as he does defensively, making him an even rarer commodity, a well-rounded
full back.
Right Wing – Antonio Valencia
One of the few consistent performers for Manchester United
this season, sometimes criticised for his predictability, preferring to hug the
touchline as opposed to following the lead of other wingers and drift inside,
he offers his team something difficult and a problem that full backs don’t
often come across in the modern day game. A traditional winger, with plenty of
pace and good crossing ability, his intricate footwork may not be up to that of
Cristiano Ronaldo, but Valencia’s game is all about isolating and defender and
beating him with his pace, and getting to the goal line.
Centre Midfield – Yaya Toure
The player of the season. As capable going forward as his is
at sitting back, and the man who makes Manchester City tick. Plays best in a
more advanced role where he is offered, a frequently takes, the opportunity to
run with the ball, often carrying it for long distances before laying it off to
a team mate or having an effort on goal himself. Always seems to make the right
decision, which shows an intelligent reading of the game, but also that he is
willing to give it to the man in the better the position, playing for the team.
Centre Midfield – Luka Modric
The little magician, and probably rightly considered as the
only man to be able to replace Paul Scholes, despite the likelihood of him
moving to Manchester United diminishing with every passing season. Controls
games with an effortless flair, collecting the ball deep and driving Tottenham
forward, giving it to the more offensively focused members of the team,
although Modric is perfectly capable of scoring and doing damage in the final
third, making him one of the most well rounded midfielders in the league. Spurs
did well to keep him last summer, fighting off the advances from Chelsea, and
as a result constructed probably the most balanced midfield in the Premier
League.
Left Wing – David Silva
Responsible for most of City’s early season dominance,
tearing through teams with his ridiculously close control and eye for a pass
that made even the most organized defence look like amateurs. Despite a slight
dip in performance in the middle of the season, mainly due to injury and not
being rested, came back strong to play a vital role in the run in. A player,
along with Yaya Toure, that City must hold onto in order to realistically hope
to retain their title next year.
Forward – Robin Van Persie
An injury free season, probably the first one that he has
had since arriving in England, and he demonstrates what he is truly capable of.
At times single handed kept Arsenals hope European football alive next season,
amongst a team that suffered from injuries and poor performers equally for the
first half of the season. The bad news for Arsenal though is that with just one
year left on his contract, Van Persie will no doubt be in hot demand, and they
will have to step up and offer assurances of investment and trophies in the
near future.
Forward – Sergio Aguero
A great first season from a player that has promised so much
from his years in Spain with Atletico Madrid, like Carlos Tevez before him,
they share the same kind of build and ability, although Aguero seems to want to
play football as opposed to Tevez, who seems hell bent on wasting his talent.
Deadly with both feet and in the air, and willing to work hard for the team, he
is possibly the complete forward, even capable of out muscling some of the
bigger players in the league.
