This was an easy decision. Many pundits have labelled Brad Friedel as this years star goalie but for me there was only one winner. Indeed, Carlo was given an award as the Premiership’s top keeper this year, despite not being named in the official team of the year!! His performances for Chelsea this season have been of the highest order and I for one hope he intends to take up English citizenship next summer… What a player!
RB- John O’Shea
Was there a better newcomer this season than John O’Shea? According to the PFA, yes there was- Jermaine Jenas of Newcastle. But you’ve got to wonder what more O’Shea had to do to win the award. He played at left back, right back, centre back, left midfield- and all this in his first full season. Even Fergie doesn’t know which will be his best position- but I’m sure he won’t mind as long as the young Irishman is on the pitch.
CB- Sol Campbell
Ok, so the Arse didn’t win the Premiership this year- but that had nothing to do with Sol Campbell. It was the tripe that he had to play alongside at times this season. Martin Keown aside, Arsenal do not posses any other decent centre halfs. So with our primate friend injured for much of the year, Campbell was forced to play alongside a number of different circus acts, otherwise known as Pascal Cygan, Oleg Luznhy and Igor Stepanovs- and they still nearly won the title. At least he’s English!
CB- William Gallas
There is no doubt in my mind that William is deserved of this position. Pace, power, technique and, most importantly, French (always a good trait in defenders, Frank Lebouef aside). I dunno what it is about France and great centre backs but we currently have the two best at Chelsea. Yet his talents don’t end there- he can play anywhere along the back and he can also score important goals. Alongside John Terry, he is the future of Chelsea Football Club. Enough said, really!
LB- Mikael Silvestre
Another of our Gallic friends makes it in the lineup, albeit due to the fact that no full backs really stood out this season (O’Shea is only there because of Campbell and Gallas occupying the CB positions). Mikael Silvestre played more Premiership football than any other Man United player and, in this day and age of squad rotation systems, that is a massive achievement. He’s also a pretty decent player and another jack of all trades in this team. And, unfortunately, he seems to be getting better by the year…
RW- Geremi
Claudio Ranieri was certainly onto a winner here- unfortunately, a lack of funds meant that Middlesbrough could sneak in and take him on a year long loan. Judging by his performances this season, they’ll want to make that deal permanent. Steve McLaren must be cursing his luck that such a quality player as Geremi is forced to play alongside the likes of Jonathon Greening. And if Boro don’t come up with the cash for him, one of the big boys certainly will.
CM- Paul Scholes
The ginger haired assassin was back to his goalscoring best again this season. Unfortunately, his 20 goals this season top the efforts of any one Chelsea player- although he did have Champions League matches as well. In my opinion, Scholes is the only English midfielder who can claim to have had a better season than Frank Lampard- so it is testament to Lamps’ ability that Scholes had to score 20 goals to keep him out of this team.
CM- Patrick Vieira
If anyone wanted an example of Patrick Vieira at his best, they needed to look no further than our FA Cup game at Stamford Bridge against Arsenal. On that evening, Vieira over-ran our midfield, despite being outnumbered, and he was awesome. His late season injury could be used as an excuse for Arsenal’s failure to retain the Premiership title- although, if they want excuses, it’s that they haven’t got another midfield player who even comes close to doing the kind of job that Paddy does.
LW- Harry Kewell
A Leeds player in the team of the season… You’re having a laugh aren’t you? Fraid not- Harry Kewell was one of the few shining lights at Elland Road this year. Despite seeing the majority of his mates, and Leeds’ top players, sold throughout the course of the season, Kewell continued to defy belief and put in good performances. And if his buddy Mark Viduka hadn’t waited until the last 10 games of the season to get his goalscoring boots on, it could have been a far better season for Kewell. Oh dear, what a pity, never mind!
FW- Ruud van Nistelrooy
Amazingly, Ruud van Nistelrooy didn’t manage a goal against us this season. That makes us the exception then, as Ruud went goal crazy. Over 40 goals in all comps, Premiership top scorer and a Premiership winners medal denotes a pretty decent season. Not only did he show his Dutch teammate Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink how goalscoring is really done but he is also going to be even better next season, according to Sir Alex. Be afraid… Be very afraid.
FW- Thierry Henry
As much as I hate his arrogance, you can’t help but wonder how much better your team would be with Thierry Henry in it. Not content with finishing second in the scoring charts, Henry also set a Premiership record for assists in a season. Oh, and he was named PFA player of the year and Football writers’ player of the year. But best of all, is the way that oh so English fan sitting next to you pronounces his name “Terry Henry”- genius!
Well there you have it- share your thoughts on my team or go all out and tell us who you would have in your team: all of this and more on the messageboard.