The best XI so far in 2014/15 based on stats.
With it being the international break and the 2014/15 Premier League season being seven matches old, CaughtOffside decided to select the Team of the Season so far based on statistics – with a little help from our friends at WhoScored.
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GK – Lukasz Fabianksi, Swansea City – 7.28
Forget the fine form of Thibaut Courtois at Chelsea, this Swans goalkeeper – who signed from Arsenal this summer on a free transfer – has already been impressing at the Liberty Stadium and earns himself a spot between the sticks.
RB – Branislav Ivanovic, Chelsea – 7.86
It’s a long time now since this 30-year-old was thought of as a central defender as his marauding runs down the flank and useful goalscoring (two league strikes this term to date) make Ivanovic one of the best right-backs in world football.
CB – Curtis Davies, Hull City – 7.65
Before Davies arrived at the KC Stadium from Birmingham City last summer the centre-back was thought of as a bit of a joke, but since that move the Englishman has been defying all his critics and continues to impress.
CB – Michael Dawson, Hull City – 7.63
It’s an all-Tigers central defence as Steve Bruce appears to be able to work wonders with players who were considered past it previously and Dawson has reinvigorated his career since leaving Tottenham Hotspur.
LB – Gael Clichy, Manchester City – 7.48
May have to share his place in the starting XI at the Etihad Stadium with Aleksandar Kolarov, but clearly Manuel Pellegrini should be picking this Frenchman more regularly, with Clichy having also impressed at right-back this campaign.
CDM – Mile Jedinak, Crystal Palace – 7.73
Was promoted from the Championship with Palace last summer and since then the Australia international hasn’t looked back and has even added a scoring element to his game this season, netting twice in the league already.
CM – Cesc Fabregas, Chelsea – 7.91
Perhaps little surprise as Fabregas has been grabbing headlines since his switch from FC Barcelona and also tops the list of most assists with seven to his name in the English top tier to date.
CM – Ander Herrera, Manchester United – 7.89
When fit this £29m summer acquisition from Athletic Bilbao has been impressing onlookers with his two goals and one assist so far and the Spaniard could well play a key part in the Red Devils’ quest to return to glory.
RW – Angel di Maria, Manchester United – 8.05
Although often deployed in a more central role by United since his British record £59.7m transfer from Real Madrid, the versatility of this Argentina international means he seems to be brilliant anywhere in midfield.
LW – Eden Hazard, Chelsea – 8.02
With Jose Mourinho’s men currently topping the division it’s perhaps little surprise to also see them dominating this team and Hazard has been in fine form with two goals and an assist to date.
ST – Diego Costa, Chelsea – 8.29
Completing the XI is yet another Blues star and since his £32m switch from Atletico Madrid this striker has simply hit the ground running with an impressive nine league goals in just seven appearances.