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With half the season completed and the January window bringing in new faces, here’re the standout performers of the season so far!
Joe Hart has been, once again, the best man between the sticks, constantly producing great performances for his club Manchester City. He’s one of the reasons why City are only seven points behind leaders United, helping them concede the least amount of goals in the Premiership. He’s good in aerial duels, is athletic, reads the game very well and is not afraid to come out. Plus, he’s only 25, which means he has got some great years ahead of him and he can probably take over as the City captain, once Kompany calls it a day or leaves for pastures fresh.
Star of the Show – Vincent Kompany, Manchester City.
One man who’s been there time and again for his club is Vincent Kompany. Amidst an expensively assembled squad, he’s been the most significant of them all and while some of his team-mates continue to make controversial headlines, he has been a leader, a motivator and has picked up his game from where he left at the end of last season. City fans would be hoping he could lead them to successive league titles for the first time.
Gary Cahill has been rock solid at the back of the Chelsea line-up.
To partner Kompany, I have chosen Gary Cahill. He’s been at the heart of Chelsea defence under Rafael Benitez and proved that he’s not just a squad player. He’s quick, has the ability to initiate attacks and quickly retreat in case of a counter. Kompany and Cahill are two very different players and can form a great partnership at the back.
Everton have had a brilliant season so far and certainly, Leighton Baines has been an integral part of the squad. He’s been just awesome on the left-side, putting in tackles and superb crosses all the time and giving in all-round performances. He has been rewarded with a call-up to England side and if Everton qualify for the Champions League this year, a lot of credit will be claimed by this man.
Glen Johnson has been in good form this season following an impressive Euros.
On the right side is the man from across the city i.e. Glen Johnson. Many would question his place in the side but he’s been putting in overwhelming performances, playing on both the right and left side. Rodgers likes his full-backs to make wide runs, providing crosses and cutting in and taking a shot at the goal, and that’s exactly what Johnson loves to do. If he continues his form in 2013, Liverpool would be just fancying their European spot chances.
Yaya Toure and Marouane Fellaini: Another duo from City and Everton. Both have been in sublime form for their respective clubs. Toure is soon going to leave for Cup of Nations and like last season, City could struggle without him. Similarly, Fellaini was handed a three-match ban for his head butt on Ryan Shawcross and has been missed by Everton. They both are indispensable to their teams and loved by fans. While Yaya Toure has dedicated his future to City, David Moyes must do something to keep Fellaini at Goodison Park beyond this summer.
Juan Mata has gone on to build on an impressive first season and consolidated his spot as the top winger in the league. He has not let the managerial chaos affect him and has put on phenomenal displays week in, week out that made him a first-choice player for all the managers he has played for (probably, he’s the only one to do so!). With a solid performance in the Euros, he’s certainly up there with the best in the world.
Swansea star Miguel Pérez Cuesta, aka Michu, has been the Value-for-Money buy this summer and would’ve won the award of Signing of the Season had RVP decided to stay put at the Emirates. He has scored thirteen goals and has the ability to play as a striker or behind the striker. He’s got speed, creativity and an eye for goal. I won’t be surprised if a top 4 side sign him up in the summer.
There’s no doubt as to who are going to be the men up front. Luis Suarez of Liverpool and Robin Van Persie of Manchester United have been phenomenal, world-class and brilliant, scoring crucial goals and creating beautiful chances.
They both have 31 goals between them and seem unstoppable. If they ever are on the same squad, then the other nine players on the field would play a very limited role and the duo could run havoc. Both are great players at the peak of their game and are among the best finishers on the planet.
Formation : 4-2-2-2
GK : Asmir Begovic, Stoke City.
DEF : Daniel Agger, Liverpool
Phil Jagielka, Everton
Patrice Evra, Manchester United
Pablo Zabaleta, Manchester City
MID : David Silva, Manchester City
Santi Cazorla, Arsenal
Steven Gerrard, Liverpool
Gareth Bale, Tottenham Hotspurs
ST : Edin Dzeko, Manchester City
Javier Hernandez, Manchester United
Wayne Rooney, Manchester United
