Premier League Team of the Year

Last updated: 28th April 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Team of the Year

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Premier League Team of the Year

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Edwin Van Der Sar - Manchester United

Having broken the English clean sheet record in January, Van der Sar went on to claim the European record for the most number of minutes without conceding a goal, and he has without doubt been the Premier League's most consistent keeper this season.

Glen Johnson - Portsmouth

The Pompey right-back has had an outstanding season in a team that has been struggling to keep their heads above water and his form led to him being recalled to the England squad by Fabio Capello. His stunning strike against Hull in November is a contender for Goal of the Season.

Patrice Evra - Manchester United

The French international has been a major player for United this season, not just for his impressive defending, but for his raiding runs down the left flank. Had a tough start to his United career but has seen off the likes of Gabriel Heinze and Mikael Silvestre to become first choice left-back.

Rio Ferdinand - Manchester United

Ferdinand's partnership with Nemanja Vidic at the heart of United's defence held the key to the club's long run without conceding a goal, and the champions certainly missed his calm assuredness when his impeccable season was interrupted by injury recently. Grows in stature with every year.

Nemanja Vidic - Manchester United

The Serbian international looked a bit raw when he first stepped into the United side but, in the words of PFA Chief Executive Gordon Taylor, he is now a 'polished diamond'. An uncompromising centre back, he has added class to his make-up and looks the real deal alongside Rio.

Ashley Young - Aston Villa

Martin O'Neill will be delighted that one of the 'jewels in the Villa' crown has made the Premier League Team of the Year - and there might have been more. Young has had another terrific season and continues to develop. When he's at full tilt, he's virtually unplayable.

Steven Gerrard - Liverpool

A Players' Player of the Year nominee, the talismanic skipper's return to his pristine best after injury setbacks proved to be the catalyst for Liverpool's surge towards titles at home and abroad in the last third of the season. 'Best in the world', says Zidane - who would argue with that?

Ryan Giggs - Manchester United

Still flying up and down the wing with the enthusiasm, fitness and desire of a teenager and loving every minute of his twilight years. Such has been his importance to United this year he has been rewarded with a new contract - and has become a more than justified winner of this award. Not before time.

Cristiano Ronaldo - Manchester United

After last season's amazing 40-odd goal campaign, topping that this time around was always going to be difficult, nigh on impossible. But after an injury-hampered start to the season he re-discovered his finest form and, despite missing games, still has more than 20 goals to his credit.

Nicolas Anelka - Chelsea

He recently said he played his 'best football at Liverpool' but in terms of goals and overall contribution to the team this has to go down as his best season in English football. He's on course for a 20-goal haul, and being allowed to play more often in his favoured central position has paid dividends.

Fernando Torres - Liverpool

Injuries and a possible backlash from his exertions in Spain's successful Euro 2008 campaign, meant we had to wait a while to see the Fernando Torres who burst onto the Premier League scene in sensational style last season. He's back to his brilliant best and scoring stunning goals once more, like the one against Blackburn earlier this month.

Comments (43)

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Russ Funnell (Manchester United fan) says...

I am very surpised Giggsy got in this team. Fair enough his contribution to English football can never be rivalled, but he has only started 12 games so far this season! My team would be: Given, Evra, Vidic, Carragher, Bosingwa, Ronaldo (RM), Gerrard (LM), Lampard, Ireland, Rooney, Drogba. And thats the best of the BEST!!!

Posted 14:05 27th April 2009

Yash Siddhartha (Chelsea fan) says...

Lampard not being in the PFA team of the year is a disgrace and makes this a complete sham. This makes no sense. Ashley Cole is a far better left back than Evra as of now. I just don't get it. This year's team of the year is a farce.

Posted 13:59 27th April 2009

Matt Russell (Arsenal fan) says...

Giggs!!!? What has he done this season? amazed how the likes of Lampard and Alonso have been overlooked! For me Van Der Sar shouldn't be there yes he's broke the record for cleans sheets but that was down to the defence in front of him Ben Foster is better than him!

Posted 13:58 27th April 2009

Tom Farley (Manchester United fan) says...

Where is Stephen Ireland? The most outstanding young midfielder this year, 12 goals from a midfielder is pretty good. Should have got Young Player of the year as well.

Posted 13:57 27th April 2009

Mark Wildman (Manchester United fan) says...

Giggs is in on sentiment alone but can anyone argue? Possibly one of the greatest players to serve Manu and the premierleague as well as a model professional. yes people have had better seasons, Gerrard, Rooney, Vidic to name three but i believe out of respect he should have got it. After all it is voted for by his peers. team of the year looks about right, dont think anyone who isn;t in there can have many arguements, Lampard not had the best season ever playing in a sub standard Chelsea team and no one from Arsenal has played consistantly enough to warrant a mention. Maybe Ireland at City or Arteta at Everton before his injury. Manager of the year is to be interesting- Ferguson will prob get it but personally, Moyes or Pullis are my Vote, Maybe Redknapp. great manages doing exceptional jobs at unpopular clubs, well maybe not spursbut you get the idea.

Posted 13:56 27th April 2009

Nick Dagnall (Liverpool fan) says...

For me Giggs should not be in the team, he has not done enough or played enough. I would have quick liked to see Alonso in the team ahead of Giggs but both Lampard and Ireland are also in with a shout. Johnsons hasnt had as good a season as last, maybe Jagielka in there though hes played more centre back

Posted 13:56 27th April 2009

Daniel Mcwaters (Sunderland fan) says...

Typical! Players with ability are chosen, regardless of their form this season. I mean majority of the players are Man Utd players. I think Van Der Sar should not be in, it should be Schwarzer or Given who have had to do it on their own becasue they dont have a Rio or Nemanja figure playing in front of them. However, i would have loved to have seen somebody in place of Ferdinand, like his brother Anton or Brede Hangeland or Phil Jagielka and nobody has the passion for the game as Danny Collins has! As for midfield, it's all wrong Ronaldo basically picks himself each year, despite his flaws in his game atm. Giggs? why not 12 year ago, why now? and young has been too inconsistent for my liking. Why not a midfield of Barry,Ireland and Fellaini? along with Gerrard obviously. Anelka hasnt been as good as other strikers this season, Kevin Davies? on the verge of an england call up, or even Dirk Kuyt? Andrei Arshavin? Carlton Cole? Djibril Cisse? Wayne Rooney?. Torres fair enough he has been out but made up for it when he came back My choice of team gk - Schwarzer lb - D.Collins cb - Vidic cb - Lescott rb - G.Johnson lm - Barry cm - Fellaini cm - Ireland rm - Gerrard cf - C.Cole cf - Torres i think the PFA should have made a subs bench too, mine would include: Given, Jagielka, Hangeland, Cahill, Dempsey, K.Davies, Rooney

Posted 13:48 27th April 2009

John Manners (West Ham United fan) says...

This is a poor team, so many good players missed out this season, I think its done on the name and who you play for rather than actual best players - my team would be below - this is based on playing all season and, unlike young, not dropping off the boil for the last 2 months Keeper - Reina or Shwartzer Defence - Jag, Vid, upson, lescott (poss carragher) Mid - Lampard, Gerrard, Alonso, ireland (also would push for Kuyt to be in it, poss late comers Essien, fabrigas, lennon and as a fan Noble)(if done 2 months ago - young) Strikers - Cahill and Rooney (Late comers Torres, Adiy and Drogba - if done 2 months ago - Agbon, anelka and Zaki) Anyway come on you irons - lets push for the last Euro spot

Posted 13:46 27th April 2009

Simon Watson (Manchester City fan) says...

This team of the year is an absolute joke and the PFA have surpassed themselves yet again. Mark Schwartzer was the best goalkeeper, jagielka had a better season than ferdinand, lescott had a better season then Evra, Ireland has had a better season in centre mid then quarter season Giggs and cahill or felaini should have pipped Anelka as a supporting striker comin from midfield. Hangeland could have been picked too. It just shows that the PFA haven't got a clue what happens in these individual games and spend their time watching the top four teams every season. How stephen ireland wasn't picked for the team of the year and young player of the year is an absolute joke.

Posted 13:35 27th April 2009

Pablo Garcia (Barcelona fan) says...

How can Ryan Giggs be in the team, when he can't even get into his club team on a regular basis?

Posted 13:34 27th April 2009

Sean Ashurst (Manchester United fan) says...

Having been to most Manchester United home and away games this season, iv seen the best and the worst of the players, Giggs has had a good season but for me Rooney & Tevez have both been on top form both players give 100% every minute of every game. Giggs hasnt been uniteds best player this season but he should have won the award before now.

Posted 13:20 27th April 2009

Thomas Fletcher (Liverpool fan) says...

To be honest i dont think Rio should be in the PFA Team Of The Year ... I think the 2 Centre backs should be vidc and Martin Skrtel!!!! Martin has had a brillant season at Liverpool and he deserves a place in PFA TOTY !!!!!!

Posted 13:03 27th April 2009

Dave Page (Fulham fan) says...

Hangeland and Ireland should both have been in there with cracking seasons. Hangeland to keep us fourth in goals conceded is an amazing achievement. Especially considering he's had the chuckle brothers konchesky and pantsil to help him out week in week out. Ferdinand should not have been in there, in fact you'd have a better chance persuading me Jonny Evans deserved his place.

Posted 11:07 27th April 2009

Chris L (Liverpool fan) says...

As far as i'm concerned, sentimentality has ruled over merit. Giggs hasn't even been Man Utd's best player this year. Yes, he's broken Bobby Charlton's all time record for appearances, and his medals haul will probably never be touched, but half his games this season have been as a sub. Surely this award should be for recognising players consistently at the top of their game, week in, week out

Posted 10:50 27th April 2009

Farouk Ally (Manchester United fan) says...

Although I like Ashley Young judging by his exploits on the left for Villa, with Ryan Giggs being the PFA choice, I feel that Rooney must have a place in this team

Posted 10:45 27th April 2009

Tse'piso Mofolo (Chelsea fan) says...

I am a bit disapointed by the fact that Frank Lampard is not in the team. He is by far the best attacking midfeild player for both country and club football. And i believe he deserves the honour.

Posted 10:44 27th April 2009

Leandrew Thompson (Manchester United fan) says...

Ashely Young doesn't deserve to be in the premier league team of the year. Andrey Arshavin should be there instead. Also Didier Drogba should be up front with Fernando Torres not Nicolas Anelka.

Posted 10:31 27th April 2009

Tom Dickinson (Liverpool fan) says...

Where's Xabi Alonso!!? he's had an amazing season!

Posted 10:31 27th April 2009

Andrew Seymour (Aston Villa fan) says...

Well the team of the year is suppose to be just that and with ashley young getting in AGAIN i am sure he deserves a lot more chances with england than what he is getting at the moment. the guy can use both feet and his crossing is phenominal and as shown at the weekend can get goals goals goals. CONGRATULATIONS MR YOUNG

Posted 10:15 27th April 2009

Johnny O'brien (Liverpool fan) says...

This list is a mixture of the best players irrespective of form, impact and performance (Torres/Giggs/Ronaldo) and the best performers (Young/Vidic/Gerrard). Surely it should just be about who has performed the best all season. Alonso should be in there ahead of Giggs if that were the case. I know it's old hat now, but Giggs (and Torres to a lesser extent, in respect of his inclusion here) has not played enough to be the outstanding player this year... I would have liked to see Lescott in there alongside Vidic, and Gareth Barry deserved a nod too. He's not put a foot wrong all season. I'm surprised nobody from Fulham got a mention... what a season they have had.

Posted 10:08 27th April 2009
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