The ultimate footballing debate.
We’ve all been there, it’s a quiet evening down the pub, when suddenly someone throws that seemingly innocuous question to the group – who is the best (insert position here) in the Premier League?
Well fanatix has also decided to wade in on the argument and have defined two teams. To make it easier it’s split into London XI and Northern XI.
London XI: (4-1-4-1)
Northern XI: (4-4-2)
Combined XI: (4-1-3-2)
The decisions
Goalkeeper – A tough decision, both goalkeepers are right on the top of their game at the moment but Petr Cech gets the nod purely on trophies won.
Right-back – Branislav Ivanovic gets the call-up for the right-back spot, based on international experience.
Though Micah Richards has enjoyed success at Manchester City, the 25-year-old has failed to make the England right-back spot his own, succumbing to Glen Johnson and recently Kyle Walker.
While Ivanovic has impressed equally for the Blues and is the captain of Serbia.
Left-back – Patrice Evra has been a rock for Manchester United the past few season’s earning a reputation as one of the best left-backs around, he’s been out placed by Ashley Cole on sheer pace and trickery however.
Centre-backs – While Per Mertesacker and David Luiz are both top notch defenders, the Manchester duo of Vincent Kompany and Nemanja Vidic slot into the two centre-half berths without much contention.
Both men have been integral to their teams’ dominance in the last three seasons.
Midfield – A tricky section this as both London and the North boast midfielders good enough to grace any team on the planet.
Here the prefered quadruplet are Liverpool’s captain fantastic Steven Gerrard sitting in front of the defence. Gerrard is the ultimate one club midfielder with bags of ability and an an eye for goal.
The midfield three in front of the 33-year-old consists of Eden Hazard, Yaya Toure and Mesut Ozil.
The young Belgian always looks dangerous and at 22 will only get better.
Manchester City’s Ivorian maestro Toure is a fantastic box-to-box midfielder and has been ever present in City’s rise from mediocrity.
While Ozil has yet to play a Premier League game, the German’s quality as a playmaker is undoubted and the shouts of protest from the 24-year-old’s teammates when leaving the Santiago Bernabeu are indicative of the talent the attacker possesses.
Strikers – Both of the sides’ strikers hail from north-west outfits. Robin Van Persie has managed the transition from Arsenal to Manchester United effortlessly, going from Golden Boot winner with the Gunners in 2011/12 and achieving the same accolade with United the very next season.
For a player for whom bad press seem to come his way as often as great goals, morally Luis Suarez’s inclusion may raise a few eyebrows, but footballing wise the talent the Uruguayan has is both incredible and undeniable.
The north/south divide
Final score; London – five, the North – six. The spread of players across the country is as balanced as can be, with the north just edging it.
Do you agree with the above selections, think you can do better? Tweet yours opinions to @therealfanatix or comment below to begin the debate.
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