Premier League Team of the Year 2009

So here we go, it been a another fantastic year for the Premier League – a new multi-million TV rights contract, the League title going to the final weeks of the season. The relegation battle going to the final day.

The trophies were split between the big two of Man Utd (Carling Cup and Premier League) and Chelsea (FA Cup). The PFA Player of the Year went to Ryan Giggs and Football Writers Player of the Year is currently Steven Gerrard.

Do bear in mind that this team is for the calendar year of 2009 (including 2008/9 and 2009/10 seasons).

Goalkeeper – Edwin Van de Sar – Manchester United
Set a record for 14 consecutive clean sheets in 2008-09 a total on 1,311 minutes – a world record, if that doesn’t get you into a team of the year than nothing will.

Right Back – Bacary Sagna - Arsenal
Never the most glamous of positions is right back, was a tough call between him and Glen Johnson. France’s established right back, quick and consistent week in-week out and is an excellent outlet for another right sided midfielder. Not a fan of the hair though!

Centre Back – Nemanja Vidic – Manchester United
Since his arrival in 2006 Vidic has been the focal point of United’s three consecutive league titles. 14 clean sheets on the bounce in 2008-09 and started every league game that season. Winner of Man Utd’s supporters and players’ player of the year ahead of Ronaldo and Giggs.

Centre Back – Phil Jagielka – Everton
Surprise choice but throughout the 2008-09 was one of Everton’s most reliable players, including playing a major part of their run to the FA Cup final including scoring the penalty to book their place. Catching the eye of Fabio Capello earning caps against Spain in February and Ukraine in April. Cruelly missed the showpiece event at Wembley due to an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) in April against Man City and hasn’t played since, still a worthy inclusion.

Left Back - Gael Clichy – Arsenal
Yes another year without a trophy but when Ashley Cole left in 2006 Mr. Wenger had a more than ready replacement. The only trouble for Clichy is that Kieran Gibbs is fast becoming a player that will give him a run for his money.

Right Midfield – Cristiano Ronaldo – ex. Manchester United
Do I really need to say why? One of the best players in the world – Former Ballon D’Or and FIFA World Player of the Year in 2008. Scored 18 leagues goals in 2008-09 season and lead United winning Carling Cup, World Club Championship and Premier League title in 2009. Only Messi is better than this boy.

Centre Midfield – Steven Gerrard – Liverpool
Football Writers Footballer of the Year 2009, the most prestigious individual award in English football, 16 Premier League goals. Quite simply Mr. Liverpool, season in-season out he carriers The Reds hopes and dreams. Fingers crossed he continues to reproduce the same form for England come South Africa.

Centre Midfield – Frank Lampard – Chelsea
Yet another 20 goal season for Big Frankie Lampard, 12 goals in 37 league appearances for Chelsea. One of the first on the team-sheet every week for Chelsea, his 20th and most important goal of the season would undoubtedly been the winner at 2009 FA Cup Final vs. Everton.

 Left Midfield – Ryan Giggs – Manchester United
The only man to score in every season of the Premier League and winner of the 2008-09 PFA Player of the Year and Sports’ Personality of the Year. Giggsy has been consistent as opposed to electrifying and his awards this year have been a testament to the longevity of his fantastic career.

Centre Forward – Fernando Torres – Liverpool
The most complete striker in world football, great technical ability, superb speed, two footed, can score goals with his head too! Worth every penny and without doubt is Benitez’s best buy. Voted number 50 in a Times poll of Liverpool 50 most influential players - 62 goals in 101 games for Liverpool, better than 1 in 2. Fiat Accompli!!!

Centre Forward - Didier Drogba – Chelsea
If you asked most defenders in the Premier League who they least like to play against, the majority would probably say Didier Drobga. Yes he likes to throw a strop and can give Tom Daley a gold medal on the 10m diving board. But there is no questioning his physical presence, skill and damn knack of scoring big goals in big games. Case in questions: Goals in both the FA Cup Semi and Final of last season and his recent double of the highest quality against Arsenal in November (hurts me to say that!!!)

Manager of the Year: Roy Hodgson – Took over his team in two seasons ago in a relegation dog fight. Victory on the final day of the season at Portsmouth, then finishing 7th in 2008-09 season and have recently reached the last 32 of the Europa League.

Now as you read this you may be thinking, hang on a second, all but one is from the so called ‘Big Four’. So here an alternative list of players, who would also make a team of the year outside of the ‘Big Four’.


Team of the Year 2009 (outside of the ‘Big Four’)

Goalkeeper – Shay Given – Manchester City – Best keeper so far this season - knows how to save a penalty or two. Pity he won’t be at the World Cup.

Right Back – Mario Melchiot – Wigan - not the most glamorous role of positions, but very consistent, strong physical presence and very experienced.

Centre Back – Ryan Shawcross – Stoke City – Fantastic season surprising many teams with their ability to survive in the Premier League. Former Man United youngster, you know they are short of central defenders right now! An England call-up is around the corner.

Centre Back – Brede Hangeland – Fulham – Great year with Fulham that saw Arsenal considering a 15m bid for him, strong solid central defender - in a similar stature to Vidic.

Left Back – Stephen Warnock – Aston Villa – After a great few seasons with Blackburn moved to Aston Villa and has a good chance of being the 2nd choice left back for the World Cup.

Right Midfield – James Milner – Aston Villa – Ahead of team mate Ashley Young for England squad to the world cup, finally scoring goals to match his true ability.

Centre Midfield – Stephen Ireland – Manchester City – Proof that home grown talent does exist! City’s best player of their 2008-09 season a massive loss to the international scene for Ireland.

Centre Midfield – Clint Dempsey – Fulham – England want to watch him come June!!! Skilful and has a habit of arriving at the right time in the box. Huge cog in Fulham's successful year.

Left Midfield- Luka Modric – Tottenham – Spurs paid a few quid for this boy, but has the proven ability to unlock any defence, class act!

Centre Forward – Jermain Defoe – Tottenham – 5 goals in one game, joint top scorer in the Premier League, key member to the England World Cup squad, finally!

Centre Forward - Gabriel Agbonlahor – Aston Villa – Villa's leading marksman, 8 league goals so far this season, recent good form has got him back into the England squad.

Merry Christmas Football Fans.