EPL: Team of the Season so Far

As the Premier League season reaches the halfway stage and the crucial Christmas period begins, it is time to assess which players have done themselves proud this season and find themselves in the team of the season so far.

Will the players of the season be from the top clubs or will some of the Premier League's strugglers find themselves in the lineup?

Read on to find out.

Goalkeeper: Joe Hart

This was an extremely tough decision. Not because there have been so many great goalkeepers this season but actually quite the opposite. Not a single keeper has shown themselves to be head and shoulders above the rest, with mistakes being made every week.

For sheer consistency of performance, though, it is difficult to look past Manchester City's Joe Hart. Although he has yet to hit the heights of last season he has still been in very good form and just scrapes in with competition from Tim Krul and Petr Cech.

Right-Back: Rafael Da Silva

After some mixed performances over the last couple of seasons, this has been the year Rafael Da Silva has made the right back position his own at Manchester United.

Equally comfortable going forward and defending, he has been a consistent fixture on the United team sheet and is always capable of popping up with a spectacular goal or two.

If he maintains his level of performance he could be the United right back for the next decade.

Left-Back: Leighton Baines

Normally, Ashley Cole has had exclusive rights to the title of best left back in the country. This season has been different.

Everton came flying out of the blocks, which had a lot to do with the form of Leighton Baines. Although a defender by trade, Baines has transformed himself into one of the best attacking players in the league.

Always a threat from free kicks and deadly from the penalty spot, he is also one of the best crossers of the ball in the world and his overlapping runs have become a nightmare for opposing full backs.

It is surely only a matter of time before he moves to one of the very biggest clubs and becomes an England regular.

Centre-Back: Michael Turner

When Norwich were shipping goals and looking like relegation favourites at the start of the season, few would have thought they were capable of going on an eight-match unbeaten run.

While this has much to do with the impressive management of Chris Hughton, the return to form of Michael Turner has been a major factor.

Once touted for an England call-up whie at Hull, his career went stale after a big-money move to Sunderland.

After breaking into the Norwich team this season he has formed a formidable partnership at the heart of defence with Sebastien Bassong that has seen Norwich rise up the league and sit comfortably in mid-table.

Centre-Back: Rio Ferdinand

After an indifferent season for Manchester United that saw him lose his place at the heart of England's defence, Rio Ferdinand has found himself in a much better vein of form for Manchester United this season.

Although Sir Alex Ferguson's men have been conceding goals, Ferdinand has been a real leader in the absence of Nemanja Vidic and has seen his side build a six-point lead over closest rivals Manchester City in the race for the league title.

Right-Midfield: Raheem Sterling

In what has been an indifferent season for Liverpool under the new management of Brendan Rogers, one of the undoubted success stories has been the emergence of Raheem Sterling on the right side of Liverpool's midfield.

Still only a teenager, he has established himself as a first-team regular at the club. Sterling is currently refusing to sign a new contract at Anfield, which is sure to attract interest from some of the best clubs in the world.

Constantly creating chances and always a goal threat himself, he has already been capped by England this season and will surely win many more.

Left-Midfield: Gareth Bale

Gareth Bale has continued the fine progression that he has shown over the last couple of seasons and is now undoubtedly the key player for Tottenham if they are to enjoy success under the stewardship of Andre Villas-Boas.

Although he has been primarily stationed on the left-hand side, Villas-Boas has given him license to roam all over the pitch and he has been rewarded with some fantastic goals and assists as Tottenham look to mount a challenge for the Champions League places again this season.

Centre-Midfield: Marouane Fellaini

Marouane Fellaini has been a revelation in the centre of midfield this season. Having impressed in a more defensive position for the club in the past couple of seasons, he has flourished in a more attacking role this year.

He has added goals to his his dominant presence and has led Everton to one of their best starts to a season under the long reign of David Moyes.

The problem Everton might have is whether or not they can hang on to a player of his quality.

Centre-Midfield: Juan Mata

After a fine start to his career in English football last season with Chelsea, playing a huge role in the FA Cup and Champions League wins, Juan Mata has just got better and better this season.

After a busy summer playing for Spain in Euro 2012 and the Olympics, he has been deployed in a much more central position under the management of Roberto Di Matteo and Rafael Benitez. He has responded with 11 goals already this season as Chelsea continue to chase a potential five trophies from now until the end of the season.

Although he struggles to command a regular spot in the outstanding Spanish side it is surely only a matter of time before he cements his place in the side.

Centre-Forward: Luis Suarez

After overcoming the controversy that surrounded his spat with Patrice Evra last season, Luis Suarez has been the outstanding footballer in the Premier League this season.

He has scored on a far more consistent basis for the club this season with his goal tally now standing at 13 for this season already, having scored 17 last year.

He is a constant thorn in the side of opposing defences with his pace, trickery and eye for a pass. If he continues his form he has to be one of the favourites for Player of the Season.

There has been an unsavoury quality to the play of Suarez this season. He is quick to throw himself to ground and some of his tackling is often late and dangerous, but there is no doubting his qualities as a footballer.

Centre-Forward: Robin Van Persie

The transfer saga that dominated English football headlines in the summer of 2012 was whether Robin van Persie would commit his future to Arsenal or whether or not he would seek pastures new.

Two clubs were battling for his signature. Manchester United and Manchester City. Whoever was lucky enough to sign him were widely considered to be the favourites for the Premier League title.

He eventually signed for Manchester United and what a piece of business it has proved to be. Leading the title race by six points, Van Persie has continued his fine goalscoring form of recent years notching up 14 already.

He will be looking to get at least 30 with United still in Europe and with the FA Cup to come. Will this season be the year that Van Persie finally wins the trophies his talent so richly deserves?