Sky Sports pundits select their picks of the season.
With the last Premier League action of 2014 now having been played, in the form of Liverpool’s convincing 4-1 victory over Swansea City at Anfield this evening, Sky Sports pundits Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher have been taking the time to look back over the season to date in their post-match conversation:
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The former Manchester United and Liverpool icons took the time to pick out their most impressive Premier League XI of the season so far, lining up in a 4-4-2 formation:
GK) David de Gea (Manchester United)
Despite stern competition from young Chelsea star Thibaut Courtois, de Gea emerged as the leading goalkeeper of the Premier League season to date. He has won United’s player of the month contest twice in a row and has earned the Red Devils a number of points with some crucial saves.
RB) Branislav Ivanovic (Chelsea)
Generally a consistent and reliable performer at right back for Chelsea during his long spell at the club, Serbian international Ivanovic has added the extra dimension of raiding runs into the opposition half, beyond Willian, to his armoury this season.
CB) Jose Fonte (Southampton)
The Saints skipper has formed the backbone, along with midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin, of the Southampton side that has risen from League One to the Premier League in impressive fashion. Now having earned a full Portugal call up, he has emerged as one of the Premier League’s most solid centre backs.
CB) John Terry (Chelsea)
Chelsea captain John Terry is showing no signs of losing his touch despite his advancing years, with the centre back being talked of as a potential winner of the PFA Player of the Year award. Forming a fine partnership with Gary Cahill, he has led his side to the top of the table.
LB) Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea)
The third member of the Chelsea back four to make it into the team is left back Cesar Azpilicueta, who is becoming one of the best players in the world in his adopted position. Incredible solid defensively and tidy in possession, the young Spaniard looks like a long term Blues hero.
RM) Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal)
It is difficult to imagine where Arsenal would be without the contribution of summer signing Alexis Sanchez this summer – the Chilean winger has provided a flowing stream of goals and assists, with his close control amongst the most impressive of any Premier League talent.
CM) Morgan Schneiderlin (Southampton)
Along with Fonte, French central midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin has been with the club since their spell in the third tier – but is now one of the Premier League’s leading holding midfielders. Fantastic at breaking up play and equally adept with the ball at his feet, it seems only a matter of time before Schneiderlin moves on.
CM) Nemanja Matic (Chelsea)
Getting in ahead of his more creative teammate Cesc Fabregas is Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic, who has been a revelation for the club since returning from Benfica in a big money move in January. Incredible at shielding the back four and breaking up play, Matic is a physical and imposing opponents who is regularly getting the better of top midfields.
LM) Eden Hazard (Chelsea)
Yet another Chelsea representative in the team is winger Eden Hazard, who has developed into possibly the most devastating creative player in the league under the tutelage of Jose Mourinho. Hard working, fiery and almost impossible to tackle, Hazard is a devastating threat from the left wing.
SC) Diego Costa (Chelsea)
Adding perhaps the only thing that the Chelsea team last season was missing is striker Diego Costa, who has brought a regular supply of goals and a general ability to lead the line with physicality and work rate. Despite concerns over his hamstrings, Costa has been almost ever present for Chelsea this season.
SC) Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)
He may be sidelined by injury currently, but Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero was almost unplayable during the first months of the campaign. His intoxicating mixture of pace, strength and close control is a nightmare for defenders to deal with, whilst Aguero also tends to have laser precision when faced with the goal.