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Do you agree with our Premier League team of the season?

The curtain fell on another season of top-flight English football yesterday but who were the league’s best performers?
11.51am, 23 May 2011

IT’S THAT TIME of the year. Tears have flowed at the bottom of the table as freely as the champers at the top.

Sky have called this the most unpredictable season ever and who could have seen that Manchester United would win the championship and Blackpool would go down?

Here are the 11 that stood out. This list does not contain Gareth Bale the PFA Player of the Year, because he only had two good games against an Inter defence that conceded five to Schalke.

Nor does it contain the FWA Player of the Year Scott Parker, the driving force behind a relegation bid. I’m not saying they got it wrong, but they weren’t right.

Do you agree with our Premier League team of the season?
1 / 11

  • Edwin van der Sar

    The thing about the giant Dutchman is that you seldom notice him. Everything is done with minimum fuss and maximum efficiency, the greatest compliment that can be paid to him is that he now merits mentioning alongside Peter Schmeichel as United’s greatest ever stopper.

  • Branislav Ivanovic

    Not a vintage year for Premier League right-backs but the Serbian has been a consistent force for the deposed champions. He has improved immensely going forward and while he is still susceptible to the odd rash challenge, he has been steady defensively.

  • Leighton Baines

    While right-back has been average, there have been four stellar performers on the left. The excellence of Ashley Cole and Patrice Evra has to be expected but Newcastle’s Jose Enrique has now also edged his way into the picture. But Everton’s Leighton Baines deserves his place for an exceptional year. His ability going forward was never in question but the added discipline he has showed this year has elevated him to a higher level. Bayern Munich’s reported interest is proof of that.

  • Nemanja Vidic

    The rock that a title was built upon. The Serbian was handed the captain’s armband after signing a new contract in the summer and responded magnificently. He is often merely described as fearless or committed which takes away from his intelligence. They are few better centre-halves in the world.

  • Vincent Kompany

    A lock as they say. A model of sheer consistent brilliance. His performance in the Manchester derby at Old Trafford was one of the best of the season and it was fitting it took the goal of the season from Wayne Rooney to get anything out of him. A rare bargain buy from City.

  • Luka Modric

    The Croat that shines in a premier league built for big men. Watching him slide away from plodders this season while dictating the game has been a joy. Tottenham will do well to keep him in the coming years.

  • Jack Wilshire

    The next great English hope has for the time being, lived up to his billing. Excellent in possession, wonderful range of passing and a little bit of devil in him. He and Aaron Ramsey seem ready to replace Cesc Fabregas.

  • Ryan Giggs

    The go-to guy in the middle of the champions midfield. Giggs continues to defy age and with it continues to be a vital player for United. A genuine legend.

  • Carlos Tevez

    Will he stay or will he go now? Manchester City fans will hope it is the former as their captain continued his outstanding form this season. 20 league goals and a talisman for an ever-improving City.

  • Robin van Persie

    The goals are the main reason for the inclusion of the Arsenal striker but his leadership must also be mentioned. Despite the fallibility of Arsene Wenger’s men, and despite their slide in April, the Dutchman always looked for the ball and tried to influence games. Scored in nine consecutive away games; a Premier League record.

  • Javier Hernandez

    The vast majority of Manchester United fans were underwhelmed when the signing of the little pea was announced last summer. They quickly changed their minds after seeing his poacher's instincts and raw pace. His incredible header at Stoke was one of the season's highlights.
  • The thing about the giant Dutchman is that you seldom notice him. Everything is done with minimum fuss and maximum efficiency, the greatest compliment that can be paid to him is that he now merits mentioning alongside Peter Schmeichel as United’s greatest ever stopper.
  • Not a vintage year for Premier League right-backs but the Serbian has been a consistent force for the deposed champions. He has improved immensely going forward and while he is still susceptible to the odd rash challenge, he has been steady defensively.
  • While right-back has been average, there have been four stellar performers on the left. The excellence of Ashley Cole and Patrice Evra has to be expected but Newcastle’s Jose Enrique has now also edged his way into the picture. But Everton’s Leighton Baines deserves his place for an exceptional year. His ability going forward was never in question but the added discipline he has showed this year has elevated him to a higher level. Bayern Munich’s reported interest is proof of that.
  • The rock that a title was built upon. The Serbian was handed the captain’s armband after signing a new contract in the summer and responded magnificently. He is often merely described as fearless or committed which takes away from his intelligence. They are few better centre-halves in the world.
  • A lock as they say. A model of sheer consistent brilliance. His performance in the Manchester derby at Old Trafford was one of the best of the season and it was fitting it took the goal of the season from Wayne Rooney to get anything out of him. A rare bargain buy from City.
  • The Croat that shines in a premier league built for big men. Watching him slide away from plodders this season while dictating the game has been a joy. Tottenham will do well to keep him in the coming years.
  • The next great English hope has for the time being, lived up to his billing. Excellent in possession, wonderful range of passing and a little bit of devil in him. He and Aaron Ramsey seem ready to replace Cesc Fabregas.
  • The go-to guy in the middle of the champions midfield. Giggs continues to defy age and with it continues to be a vital player for United. A genuine legend.
  • Will he stay or will he go now? Manchester City fans will hope it is the former as their captain continued his outstanding form this season. 20 league goals and a talisman for an ever-improving City.
  • The goals are the main reason for the inclusion of the Arsenal striker but his leadership must also be mentioned. Despite the fallibility of Arsene Wenger’s men, and despite their slide in April, the Dutchman always looked for the ball and tried to influence games. Scored in nine consecutive away games; a Premier League record.
  • The vast majority of Manchester United fans were underwhelmed when the signing of the little pea was announced last summer. They quickly changed their minds after seeing his poacher's instincts and raw pace. His incredible header at Stoke was one of the season's highlights.

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