With the Premier League drawing to a close in the coming few weeks, we look at the players who dazzled on the field with consistent displays. There have been quite a lot of players this year because of the unprecedented level of competition in this season’s Premier League. The team would be lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation which is the most used formation in the league.
Many players miss out on the first team of the Best Eleven on very fine arguable margins. Players who miss out are Laurent Koscielny, Vincent Kompany, Martin Skrtel, Per Mertesacker, Cesar Azpilicueta, Branislav Ivanovic, Sergio Aguero, Daniel Sturridge, Aaron Ramsey, Oscar, Jay Rodriguez, Tim Howard, Szczesny and Wayne Rooney. Chelsea’s Nemanja Matic has been one of the best performers since January, but since he hasn’t played the full season, he misses out on the Premier League First XI.
- GOALKEEPER: Petr Cech (Chelsea)
Petr Cech has been in fine fettle this season having kept the maximum number of clean sheets and helping Chelsea become one of the strongest defences in Europe while being uncontested leaders in defence in the Premier League. Having kept 16 clean sheets, Cech also has the merit of keeping a clean sheet at the Etihad Stadium where Manchester City have butchered the visiting teams. Chelsea have also kept clean sheets in some very big games courtesy to top saves from the Czech goalkeeper.
- RIGHT BACK: Seamus Coleman (Everton)
Seamus Coleman has been in devastating form this season playing as the marauding right-back under new manager Roberto Martinez. With adequate defensive support from holding midfielders Gareth Barry and James McCartney, Coleman has got the license to venture forward and contribute to the attack. With 6 premier league goals for the Irishman along with his team holding the second best defensive record in the league, Coleman is the automatic first choice.
- CENTRE BACK: Gary Cahill (Chelsea)
Gary Cahill has really stepped up this season teaming up with rejuvenated skipper John Terry. The England International has played the role of being John Terry’s “legs”. The ageing skipper needed a reliable centre back partner, unlike the attack minded David Luiz, to move about and do things that he could not. Cahill improved on his defensive work-rate and has added to the steely resilience that epitomizes Chelsea’s defence today.
- CENTRE BACK: John Terry (Chelsea)
It is Cahill’s centre-back partner John Terry. Terry has by far been the best leader on the pitch and has led his defense to the best defensive record in the league. The age factor has not helped the Chelsea skipper as he has lost almost all of his agility on the pitch and doesn’t have the legs to close down counter attackers. Despite that, Terry has used his immense tactical defending skills by marshalling his troops Cahill, Azpilicueta and Ivanovic into building a rock solid defense. He and Cahill have put their hearts out in order to defend, as the Chelsea first choice centre-back pairing holds the maximum number of blocks (39) in the Premier League.
- LEFT BACK: Leighton Baines (Everton)
A perfect example of a marauding full back, he has racked up 4 goals, 2 assists and has created 39 chances for his team. Leighton Baines is also among Everton’s key set piece takers. Baines has also had an impressive tackling rate, as he wins 63% of his attempted tackles and winning 61%of his duels, more than Ivanovic, Azpilicueta, Evra and Coleman.
He has been fouled 51 times, the maximum number of fouls suffered in comparison to his counter parts. He has also conceded the least number of fouls (20) than his competitors for this spot. He has a strong disciplinary record and tackling rate which makes him edge slightly ahead of newly-formed left back Cesar Azpilicueta who has by far the best defensive stats yet absolutely minimum attacking contributions. Baines has managed to help his team have the second best defensive record in the league.