The best team made up of players who ply their trade in England.
With more players at the 2014 World Cup than any other league on the planet, it’s fair to say that the Premier League can be regarded as one of the finest divisions in football.
The English top tier plays hosts to some of the best players in the game and here is the statistically best XI from the World Cup so far, with stats courtesy of WhoScored.
GK – Tim Howard, USA – 7.46
Having helped the Americans to a victory over Ghana and a 2-2 draw with Portugal, Everton goalkeeper Howard is likely to be playing in the knockout phases of this tournament and the 34-year-old has been sharp between the sticks.
RB – Mathieu Debuchy, France – 7.54
To many peoples’ surprise this Newcastle United right-back gets a place in Les Bleus team ahead of departing Arsenal star Bacary Sagna, although on these stats that is clearly a wise decision.
CB – Kenneth Omeruo, Nigeria – 7.86
Although yet to play a game for Chelsea, this youngster is on their books and makes up part of the Nigerian defence which is the only one not to have conceded a single goal in this competition.
CB – David Luiz, Brazil – 7.61
Having agreed to join Paris Saint-Germain this summer in what is thought to be a £40m deal, Luiz won’t be a Blues player for much longer, but until July 1 the 27-year-old is technically on the wage bill at Stamford Bridge.
LB – Patrice Evra, France – 7.22
This Manchester United veteran has recently extended his stay at Old Trafford by another year until 2015 and having impressed for the French that looks to be a good decision by the Red Devils.
RM – Joel Campbell, Costa Rica – 7.78
Although this 21-year-old has played as a lone striker for the Costa Ricans he is naturally a wide player and having helped his nation to an unlikely progression to the last-16, Arsene Wenger has already announced Campbell will be given a chance with the Gunners next term.
CM – Fernandinho, Brazil – 7.54
With one substitute appearance to his name so far at the World Cup this may seem a little premature for the Manchester City midfielder, although scoring against Cameroon won’t have harmed his chances for a starting berth next time out.
CM – Oscar, Brazil – 8.40
After scoring in the hosts’ opening day victory over Croatia and having provided two more assists since, this 22-year-old is proving he is every bit the world-class performer.
LM – Eden Hazard, Belgium – 8.11
Before the tournament started many pundits were naming the Belgians as their dark horses and although they haven’t really warranted that title as yet, when Hazard is performing well there is every reason to think they can live up to it.
ST – Luis Suarez, Uruguay – 7.93
After missing the first match for the Uruguayans with a knee injury, Suarez announced his arrival at the competition in the next game by netting two goals in a 2-1 win over England.
ST – Robin van Persie, Netherlands – 8.56
Finally it is a Red Devils striker who looks at the peak of his game under new United boss and current Dutch head coach Louis van Gaal, scoring three goals so far in an impressive display from the Oranje.
SEE ALSO: The 50 best players at the 2014 World Cup.