Picking a Best Bundesliga XI at Halfway Stage of 2014/15 Season

The Bundesliga may not return until the end of the month, yet the speculation over how the second half of the campaign will play out has already begun.

In its absence, fans of each club have already taken to determining just which players have already lit up the German top division so far this season and who we should expect to see do the same between now and May. 

As such, today we present a full starting team of players who have outperformed all others in their position in the Bundesliga and can lay claim to being the best at the halfway stage of the season. 

Defence

Michael Sohn/Associated Press

Goalkeeper: Manuel Neuer

Well who else could it possible be? Manuel Neuer may have narrowly missed out on the Ballon d'Or award this week, but the Bayern Munich shot-stopper is still head and shoulders (quite literally, at times) ahead of the rest of the opposition. 

Whether he's revolutionising the position or simply helping Bayern to another league title, Neuer is easily the best keeper in German football today.

Left-Back: Ricardo Rodriguez

At left-back we have the now familiar face of Ricardo Rodriguez following an impressive season that has seen him score six goals and create two assists 16 games so far (via Transfermarkt). 

There were a number of alternatives in this position (Juan Bernat, Abdul Baba and Wendell, to name a few), yet none have offered the consistency at Rodriguez's level. 

Centre-Back: Naldo

Our first central defender in this team of the season so far is the commanding presence of Wolfsburg's Naldo; the defensive rock of one of the Bundesliga's most impressive sides this season. 

The Brazilian has long been a strong performer in the German top division, but what we've seen this year is a truly career-defining string of performances. Should Dieter Hecking's side finish second this season, then they'll have a lot to thank this defender for.  

Centre-Back: Jerome Boateng

The far-flung concept that Jerome Boateng is an uncomposed bomb scare at centre-back has long been proven wrong at Bayern as the German defender continues to get better and better under Pep Guardiola.

Arguably the only real, genuine central defender that Guardiola can rely on in Munich, Boateng is quickly becoming one of the very best in Europe. 

Right-Back: Paul Verhaegh

Perhaps the most low-key member of this squad, Paul Verhaegh arrives as the Bundesliga right-back following a very impressive season thus far with Augsburg. 

As club captain and preferable penalty taker, Verhaegh not only defends his flank as well as any in Germany but also stands as a weekly reminder to just how far these Bundesliga minnows have come this season. 

Midfield

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Defensive Midfielder: Lars Bender

At defensive midfield we have the Bayer Leverkusen tackler Lars Bender. According to Whoscored.com, the 25-year-old has averaged 3 tackles and 3.1 interceptions in each league game and has been a focal point of the Factory Squad's quick transition and counter-attacking play. 

Central Midfielder: Xabi Alonso

This team is undoubtedly full of star players from back to front and as such, a central midfielder who can dictate the tempo and precision of play is needed. Enter Xabi Alonso; Bayern's surprise package last summer and undoubtedly already one of the best central midfielders in the Bundesliga today. 

Attacking Midfielder: Kevin de Bruyne

In the No. 10 position we have Belgian and Wolfsburg wonderkid Kevin de Bruyne, who has quickly established himself as one of the most prominent playmakers in the Bundesliga today. 

According to Transfermarkt, who value the player at £17.6mil, De Bruyne has amassed an incredible 13 assists and six goals in just 25 games this season. 

Attack

Martin Meissner/Associated Press

Left Forward: Roberto Firmino

Well-regarded as one of the most exciting youngsters in German football over the past few years, Roberto Firmino has quickly become a regular, important first-team player at Hoffenheim and now has his sights on the rest of the league. 

Although the playmaker may not be at the same level as De Bruyne, he's still mighty close, with eight assists and six goals so far (via Transfermarkt) and he's already among an elite group of attacking players in the Bundesliga today.

Right Forward: Arjen Robben

Arjen Robben has been the most impressive player at Bayern this season and arguably one of the best right-sided forwards in European football since last January. 

With 12 goals and four assists in 18 games this season (via Transfermarkt), the Dutch forward has far surpassed the likes of Robert Lewandowski, Mario Gotze and others in both consistency and overall performances.

Centre Forward: Alexander Meier

With 13 league goals so far this season, nobody in German has scored more in the Bundesliga than Frankfurt's lumbering target man, Alexander Meier. 

Not the most skillful or talented forward in German football by any stretch of the imagination, the 31-year-old has done exactly what has been asked of him this year; score goals. And he's done it better than anyone else in the Bundesliga so far.