The perfect Premier League Xi without stars from Man City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, Everton, Tottenham and Manchester United…
The beginning of this season has seen several of the last year’s success stories endure troubling starts to the Premier League – Liverpool and Everton being the prime examples.
This has allowed some of the less fashionable teams to take the league by storm, with Southampton and West Ham currently sitting in the top four.
Without stars from last term’s top seven (Man City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, Everton, Tottenham and Manchester United), here’s out best Premier League team of the season so far.
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GK) Lukasz Fabianski, Swansea City
Signed from Arsenal in the summer, the stopper has been in playing brilliantly this season, helping manager Gary Monk’s Swansea side to sixth in the table. His form will be key to whether the Welsh club can stay in the European spots for the foreseeable future.
RB) Nathaniel Clyne, Southampton
The Saints right-back has been key to his team’s amazing start to the campaign following the loss of last season’s star performers. A recent England call-up has been his reward.
CB) Winston Reid, West Ham
The big New Zealander has been a rock at the back for Sam Allardyce’s Hammers this season. His performances have led to him being linked to Arsenal by the Mirror.
CB) Curtis Davies, Hull City
The Hull skipper was a big part of the club’s draws away to Arsenal and Liverpool over the past two weeks. Davies’ fine performances in those matches have led to further calls for him to be selected for England.
LB) Ryan Bertrand, Southampton
Now in the midst of his seventh loan spell away from parent club Chelsea, Bertrand seems to have found a home on the South coast. He has replaced the departed Luke Shaw so seamlessly that manager Ronald Koeman has already stated his interest in signing the Champions League winner permanently.
RM) Dusan Tadic, Southampton
Another of the reinforcements brought in to Southampton after the exodus in the summer, Tadic has if anything improved on the player he replaced Adam Lallana. With seven assists and a goal to his name so far, the Serb has had a great start to his Premier League career.
CM) Gylfi Sigurdsson, Swansea City
Also with seven assists and a goal this campaign, the Icelandic Attacking midfielder has enjoyed a mutual understanding with striker Wilfried Bony. His play has made Monk’s decision to bring him back seem inspired.
CM) Morgan Schneiderlin, Southampton
During his transfer saga over the summer it seemed that even if the Frenchman did stay then he would be confined to the reserves for the majority of his time. However, Koeman has put him in the team despite his behaviour, and he has been rewarded with some fine performances. His three goals also point to the 24-year-old having added something to his game.
LM) Stewart Downing, West Ham
The former England international has enjoyed a renaissance this season after being moved to the centre of the midfield. The 30-year-old has helped Sam Allardyce in his mission to make West Ham watchable, adding quality to the Irons’ formerly functional midfield.
ST) Diafra Sakho, West Ham
The big Senegalese frontman has been a miracle signing by Big Sam. Coming from the French second tier, the 24-year-old has gone on to score in every one of the six games he’s started this season. His recent injury will be worrying for the Hammers.
ST) Saido Berahino, West Brom
The young Englishman has enjoyed a lightning start to the season, banging in seven goals in just nine games. This has led to calls for him to be added to the next England squad, although it is yet to be seen how he will react to the new found pressure.