EPL Best XI of the First Half

The first half of the Premier League season has provided spectators with plenty of drama. From the title chase, which currently features three teams in a tight race, to the battle for the fourth Champions League spot, to the crunch at the bottom of the table that should make for a thrilling relegation finish, England’s top division has provided nothing but exhilaration. Even with such excitement though, the quality of play has been adequate, but has hardly set the world on fire. That is not due to the play of these men though, all of whom have earned their place in the Best XI for the first half of the Premier League season.

The position of manager on this squad belongs to Martin O’Neil, the Aston Villa gaffer who once again has the men from Villa Park threatening for Champions League glory. Last season, the Villans fell off the Champions League pace in large part due to injury, but with a relatively healthy squad to this point in this season, Villa looks strong. Currently holding the fourth spot, Villa has been well organized and staunch in defense, the mark of quality managing. Full marks also go to Arsene Wenger, whose Arsenal side was picked by many to be the member of the “Big Four” to drop, but is challenging for the league and Alex McLeish, whose Birmingham club is undefeated since mid-October.

The Best XI team will line up in a classic 4-4-2 and will be true to positions, so no four center backs or anything of the sort. Brad Friedel, the Aston Villa keeper, gets the nod between the sticks for this team, as Villa’s 18 goals allowed to this point are due in large part to his fantastic work. The Premier League “Ironman” is showing no signs of age and remains one of the best shot stoppers in all of England. Birmingham’s Joe Hart deserves a mention of his own though.

The center of the back line is made up of Aston Villa’s Richard Dunne and Chelsea’s John Terry. Terry has become a fixture on teams like this one and while it may be boring to see him time and time again, he is a class player who is playing to his normally excellent level. Dunne is a player few expected to be in this position, most of all Mark Hughes. The former Manchester City manager made way for his £22 million defender Joleon Lescott by selling Dunne to Villa for £6 million and Martin O’Neil could not be happier. Dunne has been a rock in the back, winning balls in the air and commanding an always-organized backline. Patrice Evra has been deployed farther up the pitch at times, but remains the Premier’s League’s top left back and has been the one constant in a revolving door of always injured Manchester United defenders. On the right side of the defense, Birmingham’s Stephen Carr takes his spot as the Irishman has made the move from Newcastle to Birmingham look effortless in always-confident performances for The Blues.

The midfield is anchored by Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas, whose brace over the weekend to deliver Arsenal a win over Aston Villa best exemplifies the season the Spaniard has enjoyed. To the surprise of no one who has watched him this season, Fabregas leads the Premier League in assists with ten and is the top scorer midfielder with nine. Next to Fabregas is the Chelsea-man, Frank Lampard, whose eight assists have him second in England and whose six goals is second-best of all midfielders. Never one to be called a tenacious defender, Lampard has been better in his own half than in the past as well. The Premier League’s shortest player is also the best on the right side of the midfield. The diminutive Aaron Lennon has been a terror for Tottenham opponents as he has added improved crossing and determined, better timed runs to his blazing speed. Not once this season has Lennon played a match and not made his presence felt at some point. James Milner doesn’t possess Lennon’s speed, but Aston Villa’s left midfielder has shown brilliant touch and vision to pick up eight assists and four goals, while also doing an admirable job tracking back.

Didier Drogba is tied atop the Premier League’s scoring list as the Chelsea striker has found the net 13 times in 17 matches. It is not just the number of goals, but the quality of them that is stunning. Now that Ivorian is spending less time diving and more time on his feet, he is able to put together stunning scores like both of his goals in his brace versus Hull in the season opener. Next to Drogba up top is Spurs’ Jermain Defoe, who just like Drogba, has 13 goals in 17 matches. Defoe is noticeably stronger from last season and it compliments his speed and poacher’s mentality. Defoe has set White Hart Lane afire, never more so than in his five goal assault of Wigan.

—————–Drogba——-Defoe——————

–Milner—-Lampard——-Fabregas—-Lennon–

—Evra——–Dunne———-Terry———Carr—

————————Friedel————————–