My Premiership team of the season 2009/10

This season has been one of the greatest I remember, so many players have played out of their skins and few will doubt my players of the season. They are partly based on stats and overall performance but also on their impact on the mentality of a team. It has been very competitive and even players from lesser teams make it. The players who missed out also get a mention. Goalkeeper – Joe Hart (Birmingham City)The young player impressed at Man City last year but the arrival of Shay Given meant h went on loan to Birmingham. He has been immense for a teenager and has made it into the world cup squad. Marcus Hahnemann of Wolves was rate beat for most saves but his defence was weak. Huerelio Gomes of Spurs was many people’s choice for keeper especially for the last few weeks of the season and considering his poor form last year. Hart edges it for his youth and maturity in organising the defence in front of him. Right-back – Glenn Johnson (Liverpool) Rafa Benitez splashed out on an English player and though he didn’t fit the team mould he dazzled with his energy and drive. This position didn’t have many contenders, Ivanovic of Chelsea was also good but he is slow and mechanical. Johnson was always the most attacking Liverpool player and was reminiscent of Cafu at times. Center-back – Ledley King – (Tottenham) This is slightly sentimental but you have to know his story, King has a severe knee injury that means he can play only once every 7-10 days. The rest of the time he spends in a wheelchair as his knee swells up with fluid, the fluid is drained then he is given a pain-killer injection which allows him to walk and even run. He has been immense, he will always have this problem as he has tried to cure it to no avail. He led Spurs to the 4th spot with great leadership and will surely go to the world cup. Center-back – Thomas Vermaelen (Arsenal) Wenger missed out on Brede Hangeland but unearthed a gem in Vermaelen. He has everything, reads the game, marks man to man, sweet tackle and a sweeter left foot. He was only let down by Gallas alongside and the creaky Campbell and Silvestre, but his early goals announced his arrival. Other contenders were Vidic but he was often injured, Michael Dawson of Spurs, Ryan Shawcross of Stoke and John Terry. My final choice is those two because they stand out for their impact. Left-back – Patrice Evra (Man U) No doubt about this guy, he is a machine, just runs and runs. He played every game, even when injured, sick, or grieving nothing stopped this guys. He is often the most attacking player on his team, he does all the running for Giggs to look good. There have been many contenders for this position, Ashley Cole, Wayne Bridge, Leighton Baines and so many but there is little doubt on stats and by the eye, he was the best. Holding midfield – Darren Fletcher (Man U) It is amazing to watch this player, he is so unspectacular, functional, but his decision making skills are amazing. Real hard worker, good engine, and is the heart of the team. Other contenders were Lee Cattermole ( Sunderland ) Obi Mikel (Chelsea) Wilson Palacios (Spurs) Creative midfielder – Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal) Undoubtedly the most creative thinker in the premiership, when he is missing Arsenal becomes an average team. He is the software behind the team, without him the whole system collapses. If he played 38 games then the Gunners could have won, but it is his injuries and missed games that cost Arsenal. With 15 league goals he has added finishing to his repertoire. Luka Modric (Spurs) Paul Scholes (Man U) Steven Pienaar (Everton) were also in contention but not a chance. Attacking midfielder – Flourent Malouda (Chelsea) He had a dull first half but the loss of Essien opened up a slot for him. He instead took the role of Anelka in combining with Drogba and this coincided with his scoring streak. He always has the talent just that he needed a system to suits him, he was behind the high-scoring games where Chelsea hit 7+ goals in 3 games. Attacking Midfielder – Frank Lampard ( Chelsea ) His season was just “average” but he still scored 22 goals in the league, he is perhaps the best goal-scorer from midfield since Bobby Charlton. The Champions always have many players in the final team but he deserves it, Nani was good towards the end but Frankie was prolific. Striker – Didier Drogba ( Chelsea ) With 29 goals this was his best premiership season, the old Drogba we have come to hate was rarely seen. Gone was the diving, rolling around, asking for players to be booked and all his negative side, he was a team-player this year aside from when he nearly fought with Lampard for a penalty on the last day. He was tremendous in helping defence in headers, and was a monster in front of goal. Striker – Wayne Rooney (Man U) The best player by far this year, he made Man U fans ask “Cristiano who?” if only he had a striker alongside him. Berbatov looks set to go to Bayern, he will have a new pair alongside him next year. He scored more headers than any player with 6, which is good considering he’s short, he dominated the middle unlike any short striker, much like David Villa or Bojan do in Spain . We expect a lot from him this summer but winning PFA player will not be good enough for him. ramaisibo@hotmail.com