Firstpost's EPL Team of the Year

The football season has come to an end and it is time to choose our English Premier League team of the year. After going through statistics and debating the pros and cons while trying to be fair on all teams, we believe 11 players stood out for their respective teams in their respective positions to make it to the Firstpost EPL Team of the Year. MICHEL VORM (Goalkeeper - Swansea) The Swansea stopper is probably one of the main reasons, the Welsh club managed to survive in their first season in the EPL. His 14 cleansheets and 136 saves this season have made him favourite to replace Maarten Stekelenburg in the Netherlands squad for Euro 2012. He is not called ‘penalty killer’ for nothing. KYLE WALKER (Right Back - Tottenham) Kyle Walker was always a hot prospect, but no one expected him to become one of the most consistent right backs in the EPL. He is just 21 years of age and was named the Young Player of the Year this season… earning him a new 5-year-contract. And what about his free kick against Blackburn Rovers? Click here to watch. VINCENT KOMPANY (Centre Back - Manchester City) Calm, composed and rock-solid. If there was one City player who deserved to lift the EPL trophy — it is this quality defender. FABRICIO COLOCCINI (Centre Back- Newcastle United) Newcastle United, at one stage, were the best defensive team in the EPL… and much credit must go to this curly haired Carles Puyol lookalike for that stat. He is an animal in defence and very dependable. ASHLEY COLE (Left Back- Chelsea) Quite a few discussions over this one. Leighton Baines and Benoit Assou-Ekoto were also in the reckoning. Gael Clichy almost made the mark, but at the end of the day, no one offers that width and tenacity like dear Ashley does. ANTONIO VALENCIA (Right Wing- Manchester United) He came back from his ankle injury and hit the road straight away. In 27 matches, he has provided 13 assists and scored four times. His width on the right means most of Manchester United’s goals come from that flank. DAVID SILVA (Left Wing- Manchester City) The skillful Spanish creator is the midfield maestro at the champions. His 15 assists from a roaming position which starts from the left side of the pitch mean he is a constant threat — one of those players who can never be left alone. YAYA TOURE (Centre midfield-defensive-Manchester City) Yaya is the main man at City. His marauding runs offer them something different from other clubs. Michael Essien would do it before injury hampered his movement, but with Yaya, you get goals, assists, tackles and a few frights. [caption id=“attachment_317644” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“Our team of the year.”] [/caption] CLINT DEMPSEY (Centre midfield- attacking- Fulham) Dempsey has been simply fantastic for Fulham. A return of 23 goals is proof that Dempsey shines the closer he is to the goal. No one will be surprised if a bigger club comes calling after his service to Fulham all these years. WAYNE ROONEY (Striker-deep lying- Manchester United) Rooney offers versatility like no other. Of course, 34 goals this season is reason enough to play him up front. But ask him to play on the right, left, or in midfield and Wayne can still do it. Watch United play without him and watch them play with him—the difference makes it clear why he is so important. ROBIN VAN PERSIE (Striker-advanced-Arsenal) Robin ‘Van the Man’ Persie has single handedly shouldered Arsenal’s attacking responsibilities with a return of 37 goals. Some of his finishes this season have been remarkable in the least and that left-foot is one to die for. SUBS BENCH Joe Hart— proven class Leighton Baines— Everton cannot imagine life without him. Sergio Aguero— Sad to be on the bench, but is a like-for-like sub for Rooney. Gareth Bale— Pace, width, crosses and power (if Silva/Valencia get tired). Papiss Cisse— Can you imagine this guy coming off the bench? Jonny Evans— Has grown in stature in the absence of Vidic. Scott Parker—Great season led to him being named skipper of the national side. We have given thought to players like Yakubu, Grant Holt, Gylfi Sigurdsson, Ramires, Juan Mata and others who have made great contributions for their teams… but we felt this combination would simply be lethal. Can your team beat this one? Feel free to let us know who makes it to your playing XI.