So after John Terry jumped the gun and announced his ‘Team of the Year’ on instagram, I thought I’d pick one myself.

I’ve decided not to use more than three players per English Premier League team. I chose a 4-2-3-1 formation as it’s flexible and can create the most chances for a frontman.

For the image above I used the Starting Eleven website. Feel free to have a go yourself and see who gets into your team. It’s a very useful tool for online football writers when discussing teams and their formations. Also please use the comments section to tell me your teams or moan about my selection.

So here are the players I’ve picked and why…

Goalkeeper: David de Gea (Manchester United) 

David has had a sensational season for Man United and has been their key-man in helping them get back into the ‘Top Four’.

A wonderful shot-stopper, now commands his penalty area and has kept ten cleansheets this season (so far). His performances this season have meant more points in the bag for United and he instils confidence in those that play ahead of him.

The only Man United player who has played consistently well all season. Joe Hart, Fraser Forster and Thibaut Courtois have all had fine seasons in between the sticks this term too.

Right-Back: Branislav Ivanovic (Chelsea)

The Serb has once again given his all to the Chelsea cause this season. A strong and fierce warrior who always gives wingers a tough time when they come up against him.

Not an orthodox full-back but still gets up and down when he can. Very dangerous in the opposite penalty area too, scoring four and setting up four in the league during this campaign.

Has to be one of the first names on Jose Mourinho’s teamsheets. He really is Mr Dependable.

Left-Back: Aaron Cresswell (West Ham United) 

Has really impressed me in his debut campaign in the Premier League. West Ham impressed during the first half of the season and the twenty-five year old excelled.

Runs all day and helps out his forwards as well as his centre-backs. His performances have lead to calls for him to get England recognition. The ever present this term has scored two goals and created four for the ‘Hammers’.

Looks to be a bargain, costing just an initial £3.75m and is reportedly interesting Chelsea.

Centre-Back: John Terry (Chelsea) 

Terry may now thirty-four but he’s probably still the league’s best defender. Has learned to not jump in as he gets older but has become smarter in the challenge.

Leads his team by example and you get the feeling if you cut him open he’d bleed Chelsea blue. Has developed a good partnership at the back with Gary Cahill and they’re hard to beat. At the moment they’ve only conceded twenty-six goals in their thirty league matches.

The Chelsea captain has scored three important goals and more impressively he’s only received one yellow card this season!

Centre-Back: Jose Fonte (Southampton) 

The Saints have the best defensive record in the league so far this term. So I need to find a place for one of their defenders. Captain Jose Fonte has been at the heart of all that is good with the back-four, only missing ninety minutes in the league this season.

The thirty-one year old has had a terrific season, showing plenty of heart and desire. Not one to be intimidated, he’s also reliable passing the ball out of defence.

Another born leader, has been superb this year and has been rewarded by getting his first two caps for Portugal.

Holding Midfielder: Jordan Henderson (Liverpool)

Henderson has been one of the better stars for Liverpool this season and has been very consistent too. With Steven Gerrard about to depart for LA, Jordan looks to be the natural successor for the club’s armband.

The midfielder has improved his game, especially in the big fixtures. He can now dictate matches and that shows great composure and confidence. Was in inspired form during Liverpool’s thirteen game unbeaten run.

Is the clubs joint top goalscorer with six goals and has also collected seven assists.

Holding Midfielder: Morgan Schneiderlin (Southampton)

Another Southampton man who has been instrumental in getting the side up the table this season. The French midfield man has been superb for the Saints this term, one of his big pluses is that he has a very high passing success rate (89%).

He could’ve had a little sulk after being refused a transfer during last summer but instead he kept his head down and responded with fantastic performances in the heart of the pitch. Works all day and not scared to do the dirty stuff, like sweep up in midfield.

The twenty-five year old French international will once again have plenty of suitor once the transfer window reopens. Has contributed with three goals when he’s got forward this year.

Left-Winger: Eden Hazard (Chelsea)

Has been the blues magic man this season and the Belgian is the player that Mourinho sees as his main difference maker. A truly world-class performer.

Best when he’s coming in from the left. So hard to get off the ball when he has it, as his close ball control and dribbling is phenomenal.  His league stats have been incredible with the winger picking up eight man of the match awards, scoring twelve league goals and creating another seven in assists.

It’s quite frightening that Eden Hazard is still only twenty-four years of age and that he also seems to just keep on improving. Would be my player of the year.

Attacking Midfielder: Santi Cazorla (Arsenal) 

The little Spanish wizard has been one of the Gunners standouts this year. His versatility is always impressive as he can sit almost anywhere in the midfield/forward positions and give Arsene Wenger’s men a classy display.

Cazorla has a wonderful eye for a pass and that has been highlighted by the fact he has created eight Premier League assists so far this season. He’s also scored seven goals.

Had an absolute stormer against current champions Man City at the Etihad; where he scored, made an assist and picked up the man of the match award during Arsenal’s win. Always seems to give you a full, energetic performance.

Right-Winger: Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal) 

The Chilean has been superb during his first year in England, helping Arsenal to second place at the moment. Would be better suited through the middle (which he has done for Arsenal) but would be willing to play on the right if it is the best for the team.

Sanchez possesses electrifying pace and can be lethal in-front of goal. The twenty-five year old has justified his £35m price tag by banging in fourteen league goals and adding another eight assists too!

Has really been the Gunners main man for most of the season and I’d imagine he’ll only do better in his second season in the Premier League.

Striker: Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur) 

2014/15 really has been the making of Harry Kane at Spurs. Currently leads the league’s scoring charts, along with Chelsea’s Diego Costa, with a superb tally of nineteen goals in twenty-seven appearances.

The twenty-one year old forward appears to be the natural heir to Alan Shearer’s goalscoring throne. Can strike them from distance or can poach goals inside the box. Has shown against the top clubs that he’s not fussed about reputations.

Kane’s received his first call-up for England this year and is now the talismanic figure at White Hart Lane. A smart player who has played out of his skin this season!

Posted on April 11th, 2015 by scott
Filed under: Article