Best of the Top Four: Picking an All-Star EPL Lineup

Pretty self-explanatory stuff here—the best starting XI from the EPL's four best teams.

Let the debate begin...

Formation: 4-4-2


Goalkeeper:  Petr Cech

Reina runs him close for this one, but I think for overall consistency Cech just about edges it.

Admittedly, he’s had a few injury problems and made a couple of mistakes recently (Arsenal and Villa)—but those only got so much publicity because it had never happened before, and everyone was so surprised.



Right-back:  William Gallas

Okay, so not a traditional fullback, but we’ve all seen him play there for Chelsea

Seeing as Neville has been out for almost 12 months and Finnan is struggling with injuries this year, I think Gallas would fill in here for the good of the team.

Arguably a victim of his own versatility, but Gallas is great.



Centre-back:  Rio Ferdinand

Truly top-drawer; responsible for holding United’s defence together before the arrival of Van der Sar and Vidic. Now the trio have made United the strongest defensive side in the league.

Ferdinand is quick, strong, and very rarely drawn into rash tackles. You seldom see this guy struggling, even against the best (see his performance against Torres at Anfield last month). 

The media can't keep the myth going about him “dozing” during games and making mistakes, because it simply doesn't happen.



Centre-back:  John Terry

Spoiled for choice in this area with Carragher, Toure, Vidic, and Carvalho providing stiff competition. 

Despite Terry's recent injury woes, the England captain gets the nod to play with his international partner—when these two have played together as a pair, England haven't conceded in a competitive game.

Both were missing against Croatia—and it showed.  Terry was also out for the defeat in Russia, and they played as a trio in the defeat in Croatia.

Otherwise, clean sheets all the way—including four out of five at the 2006 World Cup.  If these guys had been fit for the Croatia game, England would be at Euro 2008 this summer.  It's as simple as that.



Left-back: Ashley Cole

Another tough choice, with Evra and Clichy providing a lot of debate here.

On current form, it’d probably be one of those two—but for overall consistency over more than a couple of years, it’s got to be Cole. 

He has his critics, but there's nary a weakness in his game.



Right-midfield:  Steven Gerrard

Like Gallas, perhaps a victim of being able to play more than one position incredibly well.  Twenty-three goals from this position two years ago says it all.  The only Liverpool player in my XI—it was impossible to leave him out.



Centre-midfield:  Michael Essien

This guy can do it all. He's big, strong, and quick—if still a little rash sometimes.

Essien is in the lineup for some balance given the choice around him in midfield. He's an all-around monster of a player, and will continue to be for years to come, as he’s only just turned 25.

Chelsea will miss him a lot while he’s away.



Centre-midfield:  Cesc Fabregas

What can I say that hasn’t already been said?

Fabregas is operating as an outstanding level—and consistently too.  And he's still only 20. The youngster has the world at his feet, and can only get better if he sticks with Wenger.



Left-midfield: Cristiano Ronaldo

May operate better on the right, but I reckon he's equally adept on the left.  If we’re sacrificing a bit of crossing on his left foot, then at the same time we allow him to cut in on that right.

Thirteen Premier League goals already. He'll make everyone’s XI.



Striker:  Wayne Rooney

A lot to choose from up front—but when Rooney has played this season, we’ve seen how good he really is.

Five goals and six assists in 11 league games shows that he's adept at both scoring and creating for those around him.  His absence for all of United’s three defeats isn't coincidental, and underlines his importance to the champions.



Striker:  Didier Drogba

Another Chelsea player, I know—but consider how badly Chelsea struggle when Drogba's unavailable.

Torres would run him close, as would Adebayor on current form, but for his sheer consistency after a shaky start, Drogba must be included.



Subs:  Reina, Toure, Scholes, Van Persie, Torres



Have I got it right? Probably not! In any event, tell me what you think...