English Premier League Top Eleven : With A Twist
This is the time of year where you’ll see the best of lists from the various European leagues. They are only so many times I can see Cristiano Ronaldo and Fernando Torres in the same Starting 11 in year end reviews. Since I like to think that this site brings something fresh and interesting to the table I decided I’d do a Starting Eleven list excludes teams from the top four in English football. So with that he we go.
Goalie
David James - Portsmouth
No shock here as David James has gone from Calamity James back to England number one since joining Portsmouth back in 2006. For Portsmouth, James has lead Pompey away from regulation battles to the brink of Europe.
Right Back
Vedran Corluka - Manchester City
One of Sven’s video buys adjusted to life quite seamlessly in the EPL. While Manchester City had trouble scoring goals they have no troubles keeping them out thanks to a back line featuring Corluka, Micah Richards and Richard Dunne.
Left Back
Phil Neville Everton
Always good to have a veteran back there. Neville has helped Everton achieve there highest point total in the Premier League era. While they is nothing flashy about Neville’s play, he rarely makes a mistake back there either.
Centre Back
Micah Richards - Manchester City
There are about a half dozen or so centre backs that could be considered for this spot. Part of me placed Richards on this list due to his upside. Then again on talent alone Richards would also be a lock for this list. City were two different teams this year. When he was partnered up with Richard Dunne Manchester City were able to hold 1-0 leads often. With Richards hurt, City found themselves down 1-0 often.
Centre Back
Christopher Samba - Blackburn
I’m hard pressed to think of a player more physically imposing in the EPL then Samba. At 6 foot 5 he is a mountain of man who is agile and quick. While under the radar Samba played in a key role in Blackburn top half finish this season. Another one of Mark Hughes excellent buys in the transfer market.
Right Midfielder
David Bentley - Blackburn
While the backbone of Blackburn is based on grit Bentley adds that little piece of quality that separates Blackburn from a team in the bottom half. The Blackburn attack is run through Bentley who keenly finds the likes of Roque Santa Cruz and Benni McCarthy on a regular basis.
Left Midfielder
Ashley Young - Aston Villa
Many questioned the 9 million pound price tag but few can question the quality that Ashley Young processes. Deadly from set pieces. Fast as lightning on the wing who can play a perfect cross to the likes of Carew and Agbonlahor to head home.
Centre Midfielder
Gareth Barry - Aston Villa
In what looks to be Barry’s last season on this list thanks to interest from Liverpool, Barry had his finest season for Villa providing the transition from defence to offence. If the Villa captain does move on he’ll leave on a high note leading Aston Villa to the brink of Europe through the Intertoto Cup.
Centre Midfielder
Jimmy Bullard - Fulham
Anyone who comes back from an 18 month injury I respect. Bullard not only came back from that injury but also lead Fulham out of the drop zone. Two memorable free kicks come to mind, both late in games. The first against Aston Villa to win the game and the second late against Blackburn to grab a point.
Forward
Yakubu - Everton
Yakubu has done what last years expensive signing Andrew Johnson could not do that is score consistently. While I can’t fault Middlesbrough for cashing in on that 11 million pound transfer fee I can’t fault Everton for that decision either. Yakubu knows how to find the back of the net. When you are able to do that coaches often turn a blind eye to the fact that Yakubu doesn’t really work on other parts of the game.
Forward
Roque Santa Cruz - Blackburn
A team like Blackburn can’t make many mistakes in the transfer market luckily for Blackburn fans Mark Hughes found himself another quality player in picking up Roque Santa Cruz from Germen Champions Bayern Munich. Finishing 4th in EPL scoring with 19 goals can’t be over looked. Santa Cruz can score with either foot and has no problem finishing with his head either. Just a complete striker.
On The Bench
Goalie - Craig Gordon - Sunderland
Roy Keane’s first big money signing has to go down as a success with Gordon helping Sunderland avoid the drop.
Defender - Joleon Lescott - Everton
Can play in the middle or the right side. Quite useful off set plays with his 8 goals this season. Well deserving of his England call up this season.
Midfielder - Mikel Arteta - Everton
Arteta has top four talent. He is always a handful for full backs to deal with coming down the wing.
Midfielder - Martin Petrov - Manchester City
Petrov was one of the few City players that you’d think can create a moment of brilliance everytime he touched the ball this season.
Forward - Robbie Keane - Tottenham
I asked Dimitar Berbatov to be on this team first but his agent kept complaining about not playing Champions League Football so I went with Robbie Keane instead.
May 14th, 2008 at 8:33 am
lol @ berbatov
May 14th, 2008 at 9:58 am
Brilliant idea! How about pitting this team against any of the top 4? What might happen?
Ditto the Berba comment.
May 14th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
Honestly I think this team would win. The drop off in talent isn’t that great compared to the best of the top four plus these players would have that extra motivation to beat the big boys. The top four players will look down on these players. Something small like that could give this starting 11 an edge but it’s a total what if question.
May 14th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
Its nice to see something new this is a good idea. I think id put richards right backa and have lescott on instead of corluka and i might have aston villas laursen on instead of samba cuase i think hes been very impresive this year. Id like to see dunne on the bench as well but maybe thats because im looking through green tinted glasses. Its a really tough selection to make glen johnson and muntari of portsmouth have both had excellent seasons and i think jenas at spurs has played quite well also agbonlehor at villa. Ah so many. I love jimmy bullard and i think everybody does but i might swap him to the bench. Anyway its all just opinion and if all my preferences were in the team id probably be asking where bullard, samba ect were
May 14th, 2008 at 2:50 pm
Dunne was the toughest to leave out. He was one of the reasons I mentioned I could slot six centre backs. I like agbonlehor but he faded somewhat the second half of the season. This article will be easier next season with the two extra subs.
May 14th, 2008 at 3:21 pm
The two extra subs is definatley a good thing. It means more of a chance for young players getting in the squads and the big teams will be able to cram more talent on to their benchs which are already brimming with ability.