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**Lazie** · April 8, 2008, 02:02 PM

Football FanCast detective Fred Foley reflects on your nominations to announce the Premier League's Select X1.

The nominations were put forward, the responses were calculated. Now it's time to find out which players received your votes in the Premier League Select XI of the season. It may be the perfect team for some, there may be surprises for others. But that's what football's all about, and that's what we're here for. Real fans, with real opinions; so have your say, once more.

Goalkeeper - Pepe Reina
If we were to judge a goalkeeper solely on the ability to save a penalty, Jose Manuel Reina would (excuse the pun) reign supreme. The Liverpool goalkeeper has placed himself between the sticks on 33 occasions to date in this season's Premier League, and during which has replaced Ray Clemence as the quickest Liverpool player to notch 50 clean sheets, doing so in a rather impressive 92 outings. The Spaniard beat off competition from Petr Cech and Edwin Van de Sar, though David James was just as popular with our readers for understandable reasons.
Reina is a man that, in goalkeeping terms, is well before his peak, currently just 25 years of age. Though perhaps not reaching the heights of his goalkeeping father, Miguel Reina Santos, the talents of the Liverpool number one will undoubtedly have been appreciated by Mr Benitez in this current campaign. Inspirational in this season's Champions League progress, and likewise last term, the agility and bounce that the Spaniard possesses define the goalkeeping style of the ex-Barcelona man.

Right Back - Bacary Sagna
Close between this man and Glen Johnson, and if Alan Hutton had enjoyed a whole season in the Premiership he may have provided more competition than fellow Spur, Pascal Chimbonda, but Sagna it was. Mixed emotions no doubt for the Frenchman two weeks ago at Stamford Bridge, after netting his first Premier League goal, the right-back's ankle injury led to his substitution only moments before Didier Drogba notched his first of the afternoon. Sagna's ankle problem is likely to keep him out of action for a total of three weeks, but his form up until the visit to West London has been well documented.
Indeed the Arsenal manager will be keen to see the former Auxerre man back in the starting eleven after what has been an extremely impressive season for the 25 year-old. After making the switch to the Emirates last summer, Sagna has adapted superbly to the Premier League, and his consistency has been one of the highlights of the Gunners' latest back-four. Another of Wenger's versatile recruits, Sagna's defensive abilities are matched by his offensive attributes. Strong in the tackle, and likewise in the air, Bacary's talents have received deserved praise this term, as the former bearer of Sagna's no.3 shirt looks on in envy of such positive media attention.

Left Back - Gael Clichy
Not quite Dixon and Winterburn but it's an Arsenal double for the full backs, and probably more likely than any other Gunners' double this season. Despite his imperfections with a notable error springing to mind, the Frenchman's consistency in appearances and quality delivered cannot be disputed. Continually developing, the 22 year-old is one of the fastest players in the Premier League at current and is another whose versatility accentuates his ability to attack from defence.
Originally Ashley Cole's understudy, the Toulouse born defender is one of the perfect examples when demonstrating Arsene Wenger's ability to develop young talent. Clichy has been an influential figure in Arsenal's season thus far and is still hopeful of a call-up to the French Euro 2008 squad. For a man whose heart once stopped during an operation to sew back his lost finger (entangled with his ring and a metal fence), such an opportunity may feel like another miracle, yet perhaps a miracle well-deserved. Joleon Lescott came a close second with Patrice Evra also nominated.

Centre Back - Rio Ferdinand

Arguably the best centre-back in the Premiership this season, and arguably England's finest at current likewise. Rio's talents as a footballer are unquestionable and notably far superior than his pre-World Cup Pranks. With his forever-attached price tag and reputation, Rio has unsurprisingly, on occasions, not lived up to his demanding expectations. This season for me, tells a different story.
Indeed, over the past couple of years, the Manchester United defender has performed to his expected standards consistently. The 29 year-old oozes confidence and his elegance on the ball superbly amplifies the attributes of his domestic and national defensive partners. Rio ticks all the proverbial boxes for a defender; commanding in the air, a natural reader of the game, and an ability to consistently find the correct defensive line.
The partnership between Nemanja Vidic and the ex-West Ham man has of course been pivotal to United's success this season, and despite Rio's continued success with club and country, the Peckham-born defender is not one to forget his roots - a creditable and seemingly diminishing quality.

Centre Back - Nemanja VidicAnd we have a double for Alex Ferguson's men (replication in trophies perhaps more likely here). I doubt even Arsene Wenger could argue the form of Manchester United's backline this season, and though Patrice Evra and Wes Brown have excelled themselves in a red shirt this season, the centre-half partnership of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic has been instrumental in United's success this season. "The most productive partnership of my career" a notable compliment from the Serbian international's defensive colleague.
The compliments continue onto the pitch. Rio's calmness and panache unquestionably supplemented by the offensive, tight-marking former Spartak Moscow player. Indeed, the form of the 26 year-old has been not only one of the surprises at Old Trafford this season, but also one of the highlights. The aerial dominance that Vidic offers is notably missed in his absence, and his physical presence and bravery will no doubt have Steve Bruce nodding in agreement with this inclusion.

Jamie Carragher a notable omission from the defensive pairing, and his continued excellence deserves reflection, as does the form of Richard Dunne, also nominated. William Gallas was closely nudged out, alongside his former Chelsea team-mate, John Terry.
The first five of the fan's Premier League Select XI of the season. Agree or disagree, there's more to come.

**Lazie** · April 8, 2008, 02:03 PM

Football FanCast detective Fred Foley reflects on your nominations to announce the PL team of the season.

The nominations were put forward, the responses were calculated. Now it's time to find out which players received your votes in the Premier League Select XI of the season. It may be the perfect team for some, there may be surprises for others. But that's what football's all about, and that's what we're here for. Real fans, with real opinions; so have your say, once more.

Holding Midfielder - Javier Mascherano
Relief at last for the Argentinean perhaps as this time his name does not appear in the media purely in controversial fashion. No, despite his recent dismissal, and all that followed it - which many would argue was over-protection for the men in black - the Jefecito's (little chief) talents on a football pitch are worthy of critical appraise. Finally a Liverpool player, the 23 year-old is perhaps the definition of tenacity.
He often reminds me of your Sunday League defensive midfielder, scrapping, screaming, but winning every tackle in true mud-splashing fashion. Fortunately, the quality of Premier League fields, and the flair that the South American possesses, means that the comparisons with pub football stops there.
Indeed his skill with a football and his distribution of it, for me, superbly accompanies his tenacious defensive qualities. His display in Liverpool's latest Champions League final was the finest example of Mascherano's talents, if he doesn't ask any more questions of footballing officials he may be able to look forward to an appearance in this season's equivalent. In this instance he beat off opposition from Michael Carrick and Mathieu Flamini.

Attacking Midfielder - Cesc Fabregas
One of the hardest calls, and when Steven Gerrard is left out you know you've got talent. Despite praise for the Liverpool captain and Anderson at Manchester United, the Arsenal midfielder received the most nominations. At the tender age of 20, it is a true reflection of the Spaniards talents that not much more needs to be stated about his footballing abilities. Flourishing since the departure of Thierry Henry and the undoubted backbone behind Arsenal's successful start to the current campaign, ‘technically-gifted' is a phrase that fits perfectly within a Cesc Fabregas analysis.
The former Barcelona man began his career as a defensive midfielder despite his ability to find the back of the net throughout such seasons, and despite his ‘box-to-box' involvement within Arsene Wenger's eleven, his playmaking abilities and offensive attributes make him the perfect partner for our holding midfielder. Seven Premier League goals to date, as well as five in the Champions League is worthy of reflection, but it is undoubtedly the Spaniards distribution of the ball and elegance and flair on it, that has already given fellow players reason to suggest that the Arsenal man has the potential to be the best in the world.

Winger - Alexander HlebIntegral in Arsenal's success this season though not always recognised, the Belarus international has phenomenal talent and is instrumental in Arsene Wenger's attacking formations. Consistency was perhaps lacking in his introduction to English football, but his ability has been evident in this current campaign as many opposing defenders will testify.
His work-rate and movement off the ball makes marking the 26 year-old an unenviable task and one has to wonder whether there are any other players within the Arsenal camp who cover the distance that Hleb averages on a football pitch. Indeed, the comments that suggested the Belarusian is the last to leave the training ground would not lift me off my seat. The attacking midfielder plays with energy and enthusiasm that many thought had disappeared from this globalised game, and his performance in the 7-0 demolition of Slavia Prague this season was nothing short of exceptional. One of the most skilful players in the Premiership, Hleb puts his low centre of gravity down to his childhood-gymnastics days. He dances on the pitch and dances his way into this team - the only out-and-out winner from our nominations, beating off Blackburn's David Bentley and Everton's Steven Pienaar.

Winger - Cristiano Ronaldo
Yes, I too used to refer to the Portuguese magician as something else with the same opening letter. He was a winker. Well, he still is a winker, but he is an exceptional footballer with an enviable abundance of natural ability with a ball, and the best player currently plying their trade in English football. Best in the world? Let's see him do it on the stage. There are still questions regarding the talents of our Portuguese friend, but there is no-one better in our league. It's amazing how we can be swung by watching beautiful football. His arrogance and winking ability now overshadowed by his masterful talents with a ball. An unchallenged entry.

The midfield four of the Premier League Select XI of the season; agree or disagree, there's more to come.

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