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Aguero, Hazard and Jagielka make my team of the season so far, but who else is in the mix? And which boss should take charge of my all-star XI?
By Martin Keown - Boot Room
PUBLISHED: 17:00 EST, 27 December 2013 | UPDATED: 17:50 EST, 27 December 2013
It's been a cracker of a season in the Premier League with some sensational individual performances. At the halfway stage, this is my team of the year so far...
GOALKEEPER
Wojciech Szczesny (Arsenal)
Despite his error against West Ham, he seems stronger and more composed than other young keepers. Arsenal’s back four are more confident and that gives him a clearer picture of the game unfolding in front of him.
Safe hands: Wojciech Szczesny has helped Arsenal to the top of the Premier League table with some fine performances
Safe hands: Wojciech Szczesny has helped Arsenal to the top of the Premier League table with some fine performances
DEFENCE
Seamus Coleman (Everton)
He’s still developing but his improvement has been massive. When he first arrived he was overplaying but he’s cut out the mistakes, is a better passer and is a big part of Everton’s future.
Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal)
He has improved enormously over the past few years and loves to home in on danger. He has great balance and movement and he has looked majestic at times.
Phil Jagielka (Everton)
He may not be the tallest or quickest but he is an excellent all-round defender and he reads the game so well. He is as important for Everton as Jamie Carragher was for Liverpool.
Luke Shaw (Southampton)
He’s so young, yet it’s like he’s played in the Premier League for years. He’s direct, plays with a maturity beyond his years and though he’s still a work in progress, he has plenty of time on his side.
MIDFIELD
Yaya Toure (Man City)
Toure is the supreme midfielder in the Premier League.
When he is really focused, he can be an awesome all-purpose player. He can sit, hold, pass, fly forward, finish: the lot.
Fernandinho (Man City)
With Toure, he is forming the best central midfield partnership In the League.
They act like a piston, where one stays and one goes. He’s tenacious and he and Toure do the work of three men in midfield.
Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal)
He’s taken things to another level and has been one of the stand-out players this season.
He scores, assists and tackles and he believes in himself and trusts his decisions.
FORWARDS
Sergio Aguero (Man City)
He’s so powerful and goes past players effortlessly, so I’d have him behind the front man. Carlos Tevez left but Aguero has stepped in and taken on those same battling qualities to add to his lethal finishing.
Eden Hazard (Chelsea)
He is a real match-winner. He caresses the ball, attacks with real pace and can decide when he wants to go past people. If Mourinho manages him well, he could have the keys to the title.
STRIKER
Luis Suarez (Liverpool)
Suarez would be in a World XI at the minute, never mind a PL XI. He’s scoring goals of the highest order and playing with a smile on his face. You just have to stand back and admire his quality.
MANAGER
Roberto Martinez (Everton)
He has got his message across and really taken Everton to the next level. They’re flying and could even challenge for the title.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...#ixzz2pJyQhOQG
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By Martin Keown - Boot Room
PUBLISHED: 17:00 EST, 27 December 2013 | UPDATED: 17:50 EST, 27 December 2013
It's been a cracker of a season in the Premier League with some sensational individual performances. At the halfway stage, this is my team of the year so far...
GOALKEEPER
Wojciech Szczesny (Arsenal)
Despite his error against West Ham, he seems stronger and more composed than other young keepers. Arsenal’s back four are more confident and that gives him a clearer picture of the game unfolding in front of him.
Safe hands: Wojciech Szczesny has helped Arsenal to the top of the Premier League table with some fine performances
Safe hands: Wojciech Szczesny has helped Arsenal to the top of the Premier League table with some fine performances
DEFENCE
Seamus Coleman (Everton)
He’s still developing but his improvement has been massive. When he first arrived he was overplaying but he’s cut out the mistakes, is a better passer and is a big part of Everton’s future.
Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal)
He has improved enormously over the past few years and loves to home in on danger. He has great balance and movement and he has looked majestic at times.
Phil Jagielka (Everton)
He may not be the tallest or quickest but he is an excellent all-round defender and he reads the game so well. He is as important for Everton as Jamie Carragher was for Liverpool.
Luke Shaw (Southampton)
He’s so young, yet it’s like he’s played in the Premier League for years. He’s direct, plays with a maturity beyond his years and though he’s still a work in progress, he has plenty of time on his side.
MARTIN KEOWN'S XI AND MANAGER
Wojciech Szczesny (Arsenal)
Seamus Coleman (Everton)
Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal)
Phil Jagielka (Everton)
Luke Shaw (Southampton)
Yaya Toure (Manchester City)
Fernandinho (Manchester City)
Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal)
Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)
Eden Hazard (Chelsea)
Luis Suarez (Liverpool)
Manager: Roberto Martinez (Everton)
Wojciech Szczesny (Arsenal)
Seamus Coleman (Everton)
Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal)
Phil Jagielka (Everton)
Luke Shaw (Southampton)
Yaya Toure (Manchester City)
Fernandinho (Manchester City)
Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal)
Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)
Eden Hazard (Chelsea)
Luis Suarez (Liverpool)
Manager: Roberto Martinez (Everton)
Yaya Toure (Man City)
Toure is the supreme midfielder in the Premier League.
When he is really focused, he can be an awesome all-purpose player. He can sit, hold, pass, fly forward, finish: the lot.
Fernandinho (Man City)
With Toure, he is forming the best central midfield partnership In the League.
They act like a piston, where one stays and one goes. He’s tenacious and he and Toure do the work of three men in midfield.
Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal)
He’s taken things to another level and has been one of the stand-out players this season.
He scores, assists and tackles and he believes in himself and trusts his decisions.
FORWARDS
Sergio Aguero (Man City)
He’s so powerful and goes past players effortlessly, so I’d have him behind the front man. Carlos Tevez left but Aguero has stepped in and taken on those same battling qualities to add to his lethal finishing.
Eden Hazard (Chelsea)
He is a real match-winner. He caresses the ball, attacks with real pace and can decide when he wants to go past people. If Mourinho manages him well, he could have the keys to the title.
STRIKER
Luis Suarez (Liverpool)
Suarez would be in a World XI at the minute, never mind a PL XI. He’s scoring goals of the highest order and playing with a smile on his face. You just have to stand back and admire his quality.
MANAGER
Roberto Martinez (Everton)
He has got his message across and really taken Everton to the next level. They’re flying and could even challenge for the title.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...#ixzz2pJyQhOQG
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
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