With Sven winner of August’s manager of the month award and Micah Richards receiving the player of the month gong, I thought it might be interesting to try to build a complete ‘team of the first month and a half’. Many questions arise when considering such a team: should it just be a collection of individuals, or ought the team to cohere? Do two outstanding performances outweigh six or seven consistently good efforts? (e.g. Arteta’s explosive early season form over N’Zogbia’s consistently good form?).
Here is my attempt at a “best of” eleven from seven matches, a “seven-eleven” if you will, taking into account Opta player stats.
GK: Kasper Schmeichel (Manchester City)
Don’t think that there should be too many arguments about this. Schmeichel has surprised everyone (including himself and Sven, probably) with his performances, has the second highest saves-to-shot ratio (81%), below Steve Harper (82%) and has saved a penalty. The only real rivals for this place would be Harper, Reina and Van der Saar (the last two have conceded just two goals a piece, although Van der Saar himself has looked shaky behind a solid defence), but I feel that Schmeichel has stood out most out of this bunch.
DL: Patrice Evra (Manchester United)
Patrice Evra has been excellent this season, both defensively and offensively, and can be said to have played a big part in Manchester United’s defensive shut outs. Evra has got forward to good effect although he is yet to score or set up a goal this season (the same goes for Gael Clichy and Ashley Cole, and indeed all of the other candidates listed here!). Other contenders might include Aston Villa’s Wilfred Bouma, and Manchester City’s Javier Garrido, who at 22 is tied with Gael Clichy as the youngest of the candidates.
DR: Alvaro Arbeloa (Liverpool)
Whilst Arbeloa has not played at right-back all season, he has excelled in all positions, and fully deserves his place in the Liverpool starting line-up. Arbeloa has provided one assist, against Derby County, so far this season. Arbeloa is also my candidate for most underrated player in the Premiership. Other challengers include Glen Johnson and Wes Brown, who have both played very well so far, the latter’s form flying in the face of critics (such as myself) who had labelled him a weak spot in the United defence.
DC: Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United)
A toss-up here between Vidic and Ferdinand — both have been majestic, but Vidic offers a more direct goal threat (he is always a threat at corners, and won the points for United against Everton), whilst Rio Ferdinand has the joint-highest pass completion in the Premiership, and is a vital cog in the building of United attacks. I have gone for Ferdinand over Vidic because in Micah Richards this team already has a Vidic-type and a threat at set-pieces.
DC: Micah Richards (Manchester City)
A revelation for club and country, Richards has been superb all season. Richards does offer the occasional slip in terms of positioning (natural given his age), but normally more than makes up for it with his electric pace. Richards is a leader, and a massive threat at set-pieces too (although he is yet to score this season). Other candidates: Martin Laursen (revitalised and injury-free in an impressive Villa defence), Zat Knight, Kolo Toure, Steven Wright (SO underrated) and Richard Dunne (perhaps unfairly overlooked and outshone by his more exciting team-mate, but can be credited for helping to bring Richards on as a player and always setting an excellent example).
ML: Matt Etherington (West Ham)
Matt Etherington has been another to prove his critics wrong this season, offering up a series of assured performances and weighing in with two goals and one assist for high-flying West Ham. Other candidates: Martin Petrov (three goals and some good performances, although he took a while to settle and was originally outshone by his fellow midfielders Elano and Johnson), Stewart Downing (three goals, but what has happened to his pinpoint crosses?), Jason Koumas (regularly Wigan’s best player on the pitch).
MR: Elano (Manchester City)
Five assists and one (deflected) goal against Champions and bitter rivals Manchester United. Enough said. Other candidates: none really. Malbranque? (top tackler with 32 tackles, 81% of which were successful). Wright-Phillips?
MC: Francesc Fabregas (Arsenal)
No debate here — Cesc is the man. Four goals and six assists from six games makes Fabregas the top player of the season so far. Fabregas’ maturity is startling, and he is turning out to be quite a leader as well. Future Spain captain?
MC: Michael Essien (Chelsea)
There is a bit more to debate here, as players such as Man City’s Johnson, Newcastle’s N’Zogbia and even Fulham’s Smertin might have a claim to this spot. Essien might have done less in terms of goalscoring, but carries his team more than the other contenders, and he also has one of the best passing ratios in the country (82%). It’s a difficult one between Essien and N’Zogbia, but Essien just wins for me.
FC: Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal)
Six goals from six games (admittedly with five in two), enough said. Although I will say more; Adebayor has always been an excellent forward (his hold-up play is superb and he creates a lot for his fellow strikers). However, this season Adebayor seems to have become a good striker, and has contributed goals when Robin Van Persie seems low on confidence.
FC: Nicolas Anelka (Bolton)
Anelka gets this gong over other contenders (Kanu, Torres — who might have been in with a chance had BenÃtez not rested him for the last two matches, Viduka) because he has scored four goals playing for a team rooted to the bottom of the league, with no confidence. What’s more, the calibre of some of Anelka’s goals (e.g. the volley against Everton, the break against Portsmouth) has been outstanding. We should note, however, that Anelka’s goal-to-shot ratio is fairly poor at just 27%.
So there you have my choices, what are yours?
Good list. Some contention about the following picks:
DR: Arbeola. Brown and Sagna are better picks for that position, although I’m sure other readers will be able to find their own preference. I’d go with Michael Essien here, just because I want to fit Essien into the team.
MC: Arteta in place of Essien, although N’Zogbia has been quite good.
FC: Torres over Anelka.
Other than that you’ve got it quite right.
i think you missed sagna from arsenal, he has settled brilliantly and has played really well and most importantly he fits in well with “the Arsenal way” of playing football.
I would have to agree, but didnt geovanni score against united?
Whilst Man City got the award for August, I think for September its going to the Emirates to Wenger and Cesc.
Sagna and Clichy are the best fullbacks in the league. It’s shocking that they’ve been left out of your list. I’d also have Kolo instead of Rio Ferdinand. Considering that Micah Richards was a rabid gooner growing up, I’d love to have him once Gallas is gone. Toure + Richards = *drool*
Agree with the rest, though I’d nudge Petrov ahead of Etherington. He just seems to have more bite to his game.
Looks like a good list. I think Viduka also played well esp. considering that he was in a new team.
Flamini, Flamini & Flamini
omg Torres?????
Am I the only one to think that mini-Schmeical isn’t YET all that great. Shot stopping has been good but his defence has been excellent in covering him and even Erikson has said that when he comes for crosses it’s frightening (in a bad way).
I would pick Harper at Newcastle.
Green at West Ham has been steady as always.
Good list, you back up what you say and on paper it looks like the team would blend well. However I thought N’Zogbia would have to be included as he has probably been one of the best three or four players in the league so far. Seeing as hes been used wide, a place over Etherington would probably be best. Also there may be some bias in this so I cant critisize your choices, but Arsenals fullbacks have been outstanding and have played a big part in our consistent form. Keep an on Sagna next time you see us play.
Apart from that its spot on
Agree with Liverpool_Fan, No Torres???? And when has VDS been shaky so far this season, you have to back these things up if you’re gonna criticise a player. Otherwise, great article and good team.
I’d have to disagree with your LB choice.
Evra hasn’t scored or set up a goal despite good defensive work, but Andrew Taylor, quietly plugging away at Middlesbrough has done excellently – already picking up at least one assist. What he does he does quietly, but he does it fantastically well.
Agree with Schmeichal over Harper – I just feel Harper is too prone to mistakes. Schmeichal has his faults, but he’s more consistent – you never know what to expect with Harper.
am i looney or blind????…all this time i’ve been thinking giovanni(sry for spelling) scroed against man utd……and i truly am dreadful after thinking abt that…why???….because MAN CITY won against MAN UTD…..ok regarding the first line…both my family and my friends accept im looney..but blind i surely am not 🙂
I would certainly keep Anelka in over Torres. He’s got HALF of Bolton’s goals right now, and the second most (tied with Fabregas) goals in the league (behind Adebayor). All this in a shit Bolton team, whereas Torres has three in an excellent Liverpool team.
Don’t disagree with the list at all, except for left-back. Clichy (as has been already mentioned) is easily the best left-back in the prem right now.
Essien’s terrible performance against United should drop him off this list. I’d put Michael Johnson or Arteta there instead. And while Schmeichel has been a pleasant surprise, I think Harper has probably been better. If Schmeichel had scored that header against Arsenal, however, he’d definitely be good for the spot.
this is a joke heres the proper team
kasper.s hes stood out da most i admit
rb- sagna very consistant arbeloa tubbish thats jokez man
cb- richards hes on fire
c-b- rio or toure arsenal kept more clean sheets so its toure
lw-
ahhhhhhh mayb downing hes been gd not etheringtom jus cause he scored2 a few weeks ago no one from the left really stands out for me rosickys nzogbia have beeen gd
cm- cesc fabregas-wot can i say
cm- cesc fabregas who else
cm- not essien hes done nothing not lampard lol not gerrard appart from scorin on the opeing day and diving 2 win it thats it i go 4 flaminiiii
rm- i think petrov or hleb theys been decent not cristiano ronaldo mayb nzogbia
f- adebayor of course
f- anelka not TORRES THE OVERATED OVERPRICED SCUM HES RUBBISH OVERATED SHAVE HIS HEAD BOLD GIVE HIM BLACK BOOTS THEN WELL C IF HES GD HES GAY HES NOT ALL THAT rafa thinks hes done well signing him he was on sale for yearssssss
Keeper:: Kasper Schmeichel
DEF::::: Richards Arbeloa Vidic Evra
Mid::::: Fabreagas Elano Arteta Malouda (at the start)
For::::: Torres Adebayor
🙂
how can sagna clichy rosicky n hleb not b in it dese ppl r dillussional 4 real rite bunch of numptyz loool i mean how can evra fill the left back position wat has he dun so far this season except 4 foul innocent playerz n loose possesion of the ball o plz
oh yh gunnerz 4 lyf n denilson grest goal againt newcastle amazin arsenal r 2 good dis season
try arbeloa at lb instead of evra nd put in richards at rb. the cb position…well lets see theres laursen, mellberg,…ny othr ideas??
Gotta say, I find the the decision not to include N’Zogbia to be a very strange one.
Geovanni scored against United, not Elano. I got that one wrong.
As for Hleb – he is statistically not as good as the other players. Sagna has been very good but Arbeloa has been too, and offers a lot of versatility. I have nothing against Arsenal though and I should certainly have listed Sagna as an option (Arsenal’s lack of clean sheets in comparison with Pool and United prevented me from doing so).
Mr gooner, you are an idiot. You seem to have either a ten man team or fabregas playing twice. He is good, but not that good. Not to mention the fact that you dissent from my team and then offer up a very similar team yourself?!? And I quote: “Arsenal have more clean sheets” – Arsenal have TWO premier league clean sheets this season, to Manchester United’s FIVE. And Ferdinand offers much more in terms of passing. You can tell me that the Arsenal defense is the best in the league, but the team have let in two more goals than United and one more than City in one less game. There is no way that Flamini deserves to start in this team. And the stats prove it. Nothing against the player (he was in my post on underrated players), but Johnson, Essien and N’Zogbia have produced more and have better statistics. Evra has formed a solid defensive line and barely made a defensive mistake. Clichy might be a great player but he has yet to set up or score a goal this season either (gooner probably didn’t read through the stats).
Essien over N’Zogbia for passing, defensive prowess and general running (hard to quantify but he covers a hell of a lot of ground and always finishes strong) but it’s very close. No doubt that N’Zogbia will be an excellent player. Arteta I didn’t put in because even before his injury he had a couple of average games, even though the talent is clearly there.
Torres does not get into the team because his manager deprives him of the chance to do so. Anelka thoroughly deserves this spot.
Tomsharp – honestly haven’t seen all that much of Taylor this season, but I’ll keep him in mind. Boro have not got the best defensive record though.
I think CESC FABREGAS is just too good. He is the best player i have ever seen at his age. What he does with the ball is just too awesome. He is so brilliant that he can not be compared with anyone, not even C.RNALDO, or FRANK LAMPARD can do better than him. Professor ARSENE WENGER is the best manager(coach) in the world right now and he is doing a great job on youths. BIG UPS TO THE GUNNERS!!!!!!!!!
Hugo Steckelmacher – Taylor’s not too bad… but looking at our recent form, I wouldn’t be picking him now. They all look a bit out of it – I quite liked the shout of Leighton Baines. Is Matthew Taylor still getting his game, he could be another choice for that left back spot.
Kasper Shmecial ( cant spell ) was on a rather lucky streak as we all saw after the dreadfull performance which ment him loosing his place to hart and going on loan for ” experience” , if we are picking the most talented and concistant keeper in the premiership robert green has to be there . nuf said 😛
the rest is agree able , thou iam a hammer and etherington has shuush’d all his critics we would not be there :/
but the rest are agree able
upfront Torres , benjani
come on u Irons
em ronaldo rooney anderson tevez vidic walcot would easly replace any of the 11 in that list
Fabregas aka (farting gas)
STINKS and sir alex Furgeson aka (Sir Alex fagitson)
Arsne Wenger aka ( Arsne WANKER)
CHELSEA Rules!!
from Daniel and Justin
MIGHTY BLUES
Fabregas aka (farting gas)
Arsne Wenger aka (arsne WANKER)
Sir Alex Furgeson aka (sir Alex Faggitson)
Chelsea rules they are the mighty, mighty
BLUES
From
Danijel and Justin
This is probably the worst ever team of the season i have ever season. It is terrrrrrible…im a lfc fan but i know arbeloa does not deserve his place here it should be glen johnson. Also torres over anelka, any day.
This is how it should look
Johnson Vidic Terry Evra
Lampard Alonso
Young Gerrard Ronaldo
Torress
a 4 5 1 formation with gerrard young and ronaldo feeding te ball in to brilliant torres, and lampard and alonso have been great and conisteny all season.
gk would be reina (vaN DER SAR IS 2 OLD)
RB GLEN JOHNSON/GALLAS
CB VIDIC
CB CARRAGHER
LB CLICHY/EVRA
CM GERRARD- BEST PLAYER IN THE LEAGUE
CM ALONSO
RM YOUNG
LM ARSHAVIN
CF TORRES
CF TEVEZ/ROBINHO
Arsenal is the best team ever,for its not easy for Arsenal to come out as third in EPL table