There was no rocket science in guessing the Premier League
champions going into the last two months of premier league, as oppose to last
season where Manchester City won the title in a thrilling fashion with the help
on Kun Aguero’s 93rd min strike. Well, this season Manchester United
learnt their lesson and wrapped up the title as fast as they could with
displaying thrilling comebacks and showing consistency throughout the season
while their rival neighbours, Manchester City, slipped up during crucial times.I am not disparaging United’s efforts by any means. Chelsea did not take advantage of their good start to the premier league campaign. Congratulations
to Manchester United on winning their 20th Premier league title.
While United were aiming at taking back what was there’s from City, Tottenham
were looking to book a Champions League Qualification berth. They stayed at 4th
place during most part of their campaign only to yet again get pipped by Arsene
Wenger’s Arsenal, who won the thrilling 4th place race. There were
some outstanding and consistent performing players who played at their best to
lead their team to glory. Here’s my take on EPL Team of the Season.
PS:- This team is selected only on the basis of their EPL
performances irrespective of how well others performed in UCL, Europa league,
COC cup or FA cup.
Formation- According to players selected and their roles for
their respective teams, an unorthodox 4-1-3-2 formation is selected.
Goalkeeper
There have been some excellent goalkeeping displays throughout
the season. De Gea pulled off some fabulous saves, Cech showed his masterclass
and Stoke City’s Begovic who forced several clubs to take notice with his
awesome saves.
.jpg)
De Gea was key to United’s premier league success this season. It’s been a remarkable turnaround for the 22-year-old Spanish goalkeeper. Having a mixed season in 2011-2012 he drew many critics for his over-reliance on the use of his feet as well as his poor ability in the air. It was only until this season that he began to show the potential he quite clearly has. Notching up 10 Clean Sheets since January, he has also shown much better and consistent performance in the air as well as overall. Pulling off crucial saves in crucial games, most notably the Manchester Derby, his rise to prominence has just begun. Thus granting him his inclusion.
Right Back-
Kyle Walker was a workhorse running continuous running forward with his overlaps and tracking back efficiently to defend. Rafael is very underrated right back in premier league. His brilliance kept his wing quiet defensively but was prone to silly mistakes at times. Special Mention to Swansea's Rangel. City's key players failed to deliver this season but there was one man who kept on giving out his heart on field, Pablo Zabaleta. A leader on the field he provides an attacking threat, notching seven goals this season. More importantly his defensive performances have been brilliant. He displays great tenacity and work ethic and is, in my opinion, the best positional wing back in the league. Thus he gets the nod.
Central Defense
Conceding goals was major problem for top teams in Premier league this season. Though teams leaked goals, there were some good performances as far as central defense is concerned. With Rio Ferdinand coming into his own at the right time for Champions, Kompany, though not at his last season’s best was effective at centreback. Chelsea’s pair Luiz and Ivanovic had a decent season too. Phil Jagielka was behind Everton’s magnificent displays. Nastasic was superb for his age.
But Tottenham’s Jan Vertoghen and United’s Rio Ferdinand win the spot for centre back position. Jan has shown a great ability going forward, scoring some spectacular goals and developing a decent partnership with Gareth Bale. But more importantly he has shown himself to be a leader on the pitch and is constantly shuffling his defence pushing them forward. The Tottenham Hotspur defender was surely Andre Villas Boas' signing of the season. He was equally commanding on the left flank of the Tottenham defence. He was one of the main reason to help Spurs finish fifth in the EPL this season.
The 34-year-old’s return to form defied critics who claimed he no longer had the pace to play at the highest level. The centre-back may have snubbed an England recall but he was an assured presence as United romped to the title. With Captain Nemanja Vidic missing much of the campaign through injury, Rio stepped up to the plate when his team needed him most.
Left Back
This position has hands down winner in Leighton Baines. Much like Jagielka, Leighton Baines has led the way in Everton's push for European qualification. He has notched up five goals as well as five assists. He has also shown an improvement in his tactical awareness, knowing when not to go forward which is up there with the hardest skills to learn. As well as this, he has a wand of a left foot delivering devastating set pieces thus warranting a place. Reasons are still unknown as to why still he is not preferred as England’s usual starter.
Michael Carrick’s name comes first to mind when you talk about central midfield. His high accuracy rate of passing, ability to read the game and setting up attacks from the back were his major contributions. He has been the main man pulling strings in midfield. He has defied age to be one of the most consistent player of the season. His constant movement and ability to intercept passes have been good too.
There were many right attacking midfielders who were performing awesome during the season namely Spaniards Juan Mata and David Silva. But Juan Mata, with his brilliant attacking displays in my opinion edges everyone to this position. Having added goals to his game, he has been brilliant on the ball and has a range of passing with vision to boot. More importantly he is beginning to show his class by affecting games, most recently his late strike against United in their 1-0 defeat by Chelsea.
Centre attacking-midfield
Players like Steven Gerrard, Santi Cazorla, Oscar, Fellaini have been very effective in this position. My vote will go to Santi Cazorla. With his magic wand he has led Arsenal to 4th place thus beating their north London rivals Tottenham to Champions League Qualification. Scoring 12 goals with seven assists Cazorla has been the stand out player for Arsenal performing both exceptionally and consistently. Although not recognised by the PFA Team of the Year, his ability on the ball is outstanding and he has the ability to score a goal out of nothing. The former Malaga man was played on wings in some matches but still proved his worth and is more effective centrally.
Left attacking midfield
Like Baines in his position, this player has no rival for his place. Outstanding performances throughout the season, scoring blinders match after match and also setting up goals for teammates as well, Gareth Bale had his best season so far. Outpacing every player there is and finishing clinically has won him both PFA Player of the season and Young Player of the season. He led Tottenham’s bid for Champions League qualification and nearly achieved it.
Goals were raining in premier league this season. Strikers Robin Van Persie, Luiz Suarez, Benteke, Lukaku and attacking midfielder converted striker Michu were on song last season. But these picks are obvious, aint it?
Love him or hate him but you just cannot neglect his wonderful performances throughout the season. Luis Suarez, the controversial Liverpool forward, scored some outstanding solo goals. Beating and nutmegging defenders at will, he is instinctively brilliant. Having scored 23 goals last season, controversies and lack of support has stunted his growth a player but has potential to be the best in Premier league.
Manager of the Season
With Michael Laudrup leading Swansea to COC Cup with performing equally good in Premier league as well . Wenger defied odds to make Arsenal qualify for 4th place. Mancini failing to deliver and Moyes finishing above rivals Liverpool. This season has seen it all but also seen the past again with Sir Alex Ferguson managing to re-capture lost glory. Before announcing his retirement at the end of the season, he successfully led United to well-deserved title. Those thrilling comebacks were result of him providing that mentality to players to fightback. His presence at the touchline will really be missed by United and Premier league equally.
Signing of the Season
Michu was bought for just 2m by Laudrup and with Laudrup’s tactical genius michu won heart of many premier league fans. Scoring 18 goals and 2 assists, he has been the bargain of the season.
Team of the Season
Secondary Team- Players who almost made it to the team
Wonderful blog. Really very informative post. It helps us to increase our football related knowledge. This sharing concept is a good way to enhance the knowledge pool about football. Thank you very much for this post.
ReplyDelete