Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City players also make the cut.
If the Premier League ended today, here’s the eleven players we reckon would get selected for the Team of the Year.
How do you think we’ve done…?
GK) Wojciech Szczesny – Arsenal
The Polish stopper has silenced any lingering doubts over his long-term suitability in the Arsenal goal, with a series of consistent performances between the sticks. He’s made a number of impressive saves, which has helped his side concede barely any goals at the Emirates.
DR) Seamus Coleman – Everton
Coleman’s barnstorming runs up Everton’s right flank have been crucial to their style this term, and with five goals, the Irishman has outscored any other Premier League defenders. He’s also outshone the previously more lauded Leighton Baines on the other side.
DC) Laurent Koscielny – Arsenal
This spot could have gone to Manchester City’s Vincent Kompany, but because the Belgian has missed ten matches through injury, we’ve gone with Arsenal’s ice cool Frenchman. Barring two freak results against Liverpool and City, the Gunners defence has been watertight, thanks largely to Koscielny’s partnership with Per Mertesacker.
DC) John Terry – Chelsea
Terry has been wonderfully solid this season under Jose Mourinho, making regular last-ditch tackles and heroic blocks. He’s marshalled the best defence in the country superbly, and from a sheerly footballing perspective, it’s a travesty he won’t play in this summer’s World Cup with England.
DL) Cesar Azpilicueta – Chelsea
The Spaniard’s been so good on the left of a back four for the Blues, stalwart defender Ashley Cole can’t get back in the side. Azpilicueta is as solid defensively as he is tireless going forward, and he’s quickly becoming a Jose Mourinho favourite.
MC) Yaya Toure – Manchester City
City’s Ivorian powerhouse has played more passes (1870) than any other player in the league, but still managed to get forward and contribute with goals and assists. He’s scored an outstanding 13, and created a wonderful midfield platform with his partner Fernandinho from which the rest of the side can perform.
MC) Steven Gerrard – Liverpool
Liverpool’s skipper has thrived in his deep-lying playmaker role for the Reds this season. Making countless blocks and interceptions in front of his back four, he’s also sprayed the ball around the park expertly. Gerrard’s set-pieces have been similarly sublime, helping him to the top of the assist charts with nine so far.
AMR) Daniel Sturridge – Liverpool
Sturridge and Suarez have dovetailed between the striker and wide spot for Liverpool this term, and both have been clinical in front of goal – taking up the top two spots in the goalscoring charts. The Englishman’s bagged 18 in just 18 starts.
AMFC) Wayne Rooney – Manchester United
One of the very few shining lights of a remarkably poor season at Old Trafford, Rooney has been as effective creatively as he has been in front of goal. Scoring ten and assisting nine from his second striker position, the Englishman’s form earned him a mammoth £300k-per-week contract extension recently.
AML) Eden Hazard – Chelsea
Hazard’s proved himself as one of the most destructive influences in the Premier League. He can cut in on his devastating right foot from the left, but he can also drift infield and link up play with his accurate, zipped passes. The Belgian’s been Chelsea’s best player this season, scoring 12 and assisting five goals so far.
FC) Luis Suarez – Liverpool
Obviously, the league’s best player by a country mile so far starts up top. Suarez leads the goal charts with 23, and joint tops the assist table with nine. Even when he isn’t scoring or assisting though, he’s still a constant threat and menace to the opposition.
