Premiership
As I watched the Liverpool-Arsenal game yesterday, I couldn’t help but remember the statement by Jorge Valdano “Liverpool produce football equivalent to “shit hanging on a stick” at Anfield”. Wasn’t it true ? On one hand was the away team, Arsenal, playing the spell binding, slick passing football that is a absolute joy to watch. On the other hand, you had the “hoof from the back for Torres” long ball soccer from Liverpool (could you realize from their style they were the mighty home team??). And just to remind, the combined money paid for just two Liverpool players - Xabi Alonso & Fernando Torres - was more than the money paid for the entire Arsenal squad which ran rings around the Liverpool team for 75 minutes out of 90 minutes. Only for about 5-10 minutes in beginning of first half and about 5 minutes beginning of second half were Liverpool even at the races.
Anyway, let me take this opportunity to name what I consider have been the Premiership best 11 so far. I would go for a traditional British 4-5-1 formation.
GK - Craig Gordon (Sun)
Have to admit that I initially thought he was yet another overpriced british recruit but on the evidence of his displays, he very well (along with Kenwyn Jones) can keep sunderland up with his brilliant displays.
RB - Bacary Sagna (Ars)
He is fast showing why he was voted the best RB in French league last season and why Wenger bought him despite having in Eboue one of the best RBs in premiership already. Is much better than Eboue in defence and as good as him in attack.
CB - Nemanja Vidic (Man Utd) & Kolo Toure (Ars)
One is a rock solid, tough as nails defender who takes no prisoners while other is a pacy athletic defender with a brilliant footballing brain. Possibly the best two defenders in premiership.
LB - Gael Clichy (Ars)
Cashley who ?? These two words just describe Gael Clichy. While the money chasing greedy b**tard Cashley is struggling to replicate his Arsenal form at Chelsea, Clichy is busy rampaging down the left flank providing crosses and keeping the opposite defence occupied.
CM - Elano (Man C) & Cesc Fabregas (Ars)
Elano has been arguably the signing of the season in premiership. He was a relatively unknown, yet another Brazilian playing in obscure Shakhtar Donetsk. But he has proved himself to be the most vital cog of Sven’s Football Manageresque Man City’s rise this season. He controls the pace of the game, is topping the assists charts and scoring brilliant goals. What else do you ask from a midfielder?
This brings us to Cesc Fabregas. The only thing possibly missing from his game last year was ability to score goals. This year he has already passed his tally of goals last yr with less than quarter of a season gone. Quite simply the best player in Premiership at the moment.
RM - Christiano Ronaldo
His absence during the first month due to the suspension showed how much Man Utd depend on him for creative inputs. Already has scored 4 goals in 9 matches. With his brilliant assists record and ability to take 2 men at the same time means rest of the Man Utd’s attacking line has more freedom. It will be absolutely delicious to watch him take on Sagna/Clichy next weekend.
LM - Alexander Hleb
Is there a player more improved than Hleb this season ? Last 2 season, he was one of the most frustrating players in premiership. Something like a early C. Ronaldo. No one doubted his ability to dribble and bamboozle plyers, but sometimes he took it too far, losing the ball to an opponent or playing a false pass. This year he has been brilliant. He does dribble and bamboozle players, but plays the killer ball at the right time.
FW - Benjani (Por) & McCarthy (Bla)
Yes, no one from the “top 4”. Torres has been good in patches, RvP has scored good goals but he is injured (again L ) and Tevez/Rooney have just started to bloom. The real eye opener has been Benjani who has finally started scoring for fun and McCarthy who despite making loud “Chelsea come get me” noises in the beginning of the season, has started just where he left last season.
Sub - Robert Green (WHU), Micah Richards (Man C), Martin Petrov (Man C), Wayne Rooney (Man Utd), Emanuel Adabeyor (Ars)
So what do you think ?
Anyway, let me take this opportunity to name what I consider have been the Premiership best 11 so far. I would go for a traditional British 4-5-1 formation.
GK - Craig Gordon (Sun)
Have to admit that I initially thought he was yet another overpriced british recruit but on the evidence of his displays, he very well (along with Kenwyn Jones) can keep sunderland up with his brilliant displays.
RB - Bacary Sagna (Ars)
He is fast showing why he was voted the best RB in French league last season and why Wenger bought him despite having in Eboue one of the best RBs in premiership already. Is much better than Eboue in defence and as good as him in attack.
CB - Nemanja Vidic (Man Utd) & Kolo Toure (Ars)
One is a rock solid, tough as nails defender who takes no prisoners while other is a pacy athletic defender with a brilliant footballing brain. Possibly the best two defenders in premiership.
LB - Gael Clichy (Ars)
Cashley who ?? These two words just describe Gael Clichy. While the money chasing greedy b**tard Cashley is struggling to replicate his Arsenal form at Chelsea, Clichy is busy rampaging down the left flank providing crosses and keeping the opposite defence occupied.
CM - Elano (Man C) & Cesc Fabregas (Ars)
Elano has been arguably the signing of the season in premiership. He was a relatively unknown, yet another Brazilian playing in obscure Shakhtar Donetsk. But he has proved himself to be the most vital cog of Sven’s Football Manageresque Man City’s rise this season. He controls the pace of the game, is topping the assists charts and scoring brilliant goals. What else do you ask from a midfielder?
This brings us to Cesc Fabregas. The only thing possibly missing from his game last year was ability to score goals. This year he has already passed his tally of goals last yr with less than quarter of a season gone. Quite simply the best player in Premiership at the moment.
RM - Christiano Ronaldo
His absence during the first month due to the suspension showed how much Man Utd depend on him for creative inputs. Already has scored 4 goals in 9 matches. With his brilliant assists record and ability to take 2 men at the same time means rest of the Man Utd’s attacking line has more freedom. It will be absolutely delicious to watch him take on Sagna/Clichy next weekend.
LM - Alexander Hleb
Is there a player more improved than Hleb this season ? Last 2 season, he was one of the most frustrating players in premiership. Something like a early C. Ronaldo. No one doubted his ability to dribble and bamboozle plyers, but sometimes he took it too far, losing the ball to an opponent or playing a false pass. This year he has been brilliant. He does dribble and bamboozle players, but plays the killer ball at the right time.
FW - Benjani (Por) & McCarthy (Bla)
Yes, no one from the “top 4”. Torres has been good in patches, RvP has scored good goals but he is injured (again L ) and Tevez/Rooney have just started to bloom. The real eye opener has been Benjani who has finally started scoring for fun and McCarthy who despite making loud “Chelsea come get me” noises in the beginning of the season, has started just where he left last season.
Sub - Robert Green (WHU), Micah Richards (Man C), Martin Petrov (Man C), Wayne Rooney (Man Utd), Emanuel Adabeyor (Ars)
So what do you think ?