As the Premier League season draws to a close with only eight games left for most clubs, it is a good time to reflect on those who have done enough to enter the various teams of the season.
For the statisticians, this job has been made easier and with WhoScored’s stat ranking system, it is easy to see the top performing players in their respective positions.
SEE MORE:
Arsenal FC news
Chelsea FC transfer news
Liverpool must beat ‘weaker’ Arsenal side, claims Reds legend
Here are the XI who top the lists for stats in their positions.
GK – Costel Pantilimon
His inclusion may surprise many but the goalkeeping position is one which needs to be taken with a slight pinch of salt when it comes to stats given that the ‘keepers for the lower sides are called into action more, therefore record better stats.
Arsenal’s David Ospina topped the list, but due his minimal game time, the Colombian cannot be considered for the team of the season.
RB) Branislav Ivanovic
One of the most consistent defenders in Europe, Ivanovic might well be the most Jose Mourinho-like player the Portuguese manager didn’t buy. The Serbian was brought in by Avram Grant months after Mourinho departure in 2007 and embodies all the qualities the Chelsea boss loves in a defender.
CB) James Tomkins
In a West Ham back four previously marshalled by Winston Reid, Tomkins has assumed the role given the former’s injury problems and with the lack of options in defence for England, a call-up is surely imminent for the West Ham man.
CB) Phil Jones
Arguably Man United best defender, Jones must be delighted to finally be able to settle in one position after period of being the club’s utility man at right-back and in holding midfield.
LB) Gael Clichy
As Manchester City continue to stutter, Clichy has been one of the most consistent players under Manuel Pellegrini this season with Alexander Kolarov relegated to a supporting role.
RM) Alexis Sanchez
Arsenal summer signing may well be in for all the individual gongs come the end of the season after a blistering start to his Premier League career. The Chilean has gone off the boil in recent weeks but is still on course to score over 20 goals for a second consecutive season and, for a wide-man, those numbers are impressive.
CM) Cesc Fabregas
One of the main reasons Chelsea are league leaders, the Spaniard has picked up where he left off in the Premier League for Arsenal in 2011 and is immediately one of the best midfielders in the division. Like his former Barca team-mate, Fabregas has not continued his early season form but is still a major part in a Blues side closing in on their first title since 2010.
CM) Santi Cazorla
If the Premier League did awards for calendar years, then 2015 has certainly belonged to the Arsenal man after a switch into central midfield transformed him into one of the most complete midfielders in the league. Many weren’t aware that the graceful Spaniard could do the industrious side of the game but convinced doubters after what was one of the most complete midfielder performances against Man City at the Etihad Stadium in January.
LM) Eden Hazard
Chelsea’s Belgium wizard completes the midfield and it is hard to argue with his inclusion in any team such is his mercurial talent. Hazard seems to gather steam as the season wears on and is now Mourinho’s main man in the run-in.
CF – Sergio Aguero
Much like many of the players in the league, Harry Kane apart, Aguero has fallen short of his blistering early form due to a combination of injuries and the troubles at Man City. However, the Argentine still has the capabilities of finishing top of the goalscoring charts this season.
CF – Diego Costa
The top scorer in the league in his debut Premier League season, what more can you ask of a £32m striker? His aggressive nature on the field has distracted many of how good Costa is in possession of a football and just like Fabregas, is arguably the reason why Chelsea will finish first this season rather than third.
