La Liga team of the season so far
December 21st 2010 11:29
Link: twitter.com/KraniumDecay
With La Liga ending it's 2010 journey and half the season, I have decided to make a line up consisting of the best performers of the 2010-11 season, so far. The formation I will be using is a 4-3-3, with 2 wide strikers.
Goalkeeper
Diego Lopez - Villarreal
Surprise to see his name ahead of Casillas and Valdez? Yes, you must be because Casillas and Valdez have more clean sheets than him so far. But let me tell you this, Casillas and Valdez are protected by a backline of 4 defenders, who are named amongst the best defenders in Europe. Also, the Villarreal shot-stopper has the most number of saves in La Liga. Yes, more than Valdez of Casillas. He is also one of the main reasons of Villarreal's high-flying campaign. Thus, he makes it to this elite list of an elite line-up.
Defenders
Daniel Alves (RB/RWB - Barcelona)
The Barcelona wing back has been in exceptional form this season and thoroughly deserves a new contract. He has played in almost every Barcelona game this season and has been an instrumental figure in most of Barcelona's attacking moves and also defensively. Although, he sometimes gets in trouble for being in the opponent's box more than his own, but he covers that up by his lighting speed and monstrous stamina. Running to and fro on the pitch, he's easily been the best right wing back of this season so far.
Carles Puyol(c) (CB - Barcelona)
He's been the heart of Barcelona's defense for a long time now and still continues to defend with authority. Although his aging legs are taking away the speed which he used to have 3-4 years back, he still is one of the best defenders in the World and still remains the heart of the Barcelona backline. This season has not been of any changes as Carles Puyol still takes no prisoners and has marshaled his troops to a first place in La Liga, entering new year. The influential captain, thus, takes the centre back berth of this line-up.
Juan Forlin (CB - Espanyol)
One of the revelations of this season, Juan Forlin has had a terrific season so far. He's defending qualities have been revealed this season, alongside with the exceptional talent he possesses. He's been the heart of Espanyol defense so far (except for the match against Barcelona, where the rampant Barcelona destroyed everything on their way). Prior to the match against Barcelona, Espanyol just conceded 2 goals in their last 7 games, helping his team lift to a joint 4th place finish this year. Thus, he makes it to this line up keeping the likes of Carvalho, Pepe, Pique and so on, out.
Marcelo Vieira Junior (LB/LWB - Real Madrid)
If I named the same guy last season in the full back position, people would've called me a noob and what not, thanks to his defensive 'qualities'. But this season he has been the biggest surprise. Since Mourinho's arrival, I've seen a totally different and learning Marcelo in the defensive side of his game. People who have watched Madrid's game closely will accept what I am saying (leave alone the match against Barcelona, where not only he, but the whole Madrid defense failed to stop the Barca riot). His defensive qualities like tackling, aggression, marking, positioning and so on, have increased dramatically. Not forgetting his attacking prowess, he is now on his way to become a perfect full/wing back, within a couple of years time.
Midfielders
Sergio Busquets (CDM - Barcelona)
The Spain World Cup winner has, by far, been the best holding midfielder in La Liga for more than 2 years now. His excellent positioning skills has not only made him a regular player for Barcelona, but also for Spain. This season, he has continued his good work and has protected the Barcelona back 4 marvelously. Also spraying out defense piercing passes, he is a complete all around package every team will wish to have. At 22, he still has a great future ahead of him. He is also a perfect example to people of how to change your destiny by your own will. Three seasons back, he was playing in the 3rd tier of Spanish football. Now 3 years later, he becomes the integral part of Spain's World domination.
Xabi Prieto (CM - Real Sociedad)
Although he's a right midfielder and not a central midfielder, I can't really miss him out of this list because of the masterclass he is showing this season. He has been the heart of the Basque club. His dribbling and crossing are just a class apart and he is arguably the best right midfielder in Spain, currently. People might say Navas or Cazorla are better than him. But his crossing is way better than the World Cup winner, Navas. Plus, Navas has been injured this season. Cazorla has played excellent too, but Xabi has done better, 2nd highest assist (6 assists) in La Liga, so far, proves that. If Sociedad are to stay safe from relegation, then Xabi has to continue his good work .
Xavi Hernandez (CM - Barcelona)
I don't think he needs a reason to be there on this list. But for the sake of this blog, I have to give some. He is aging, but as he's getting older, he's getting better. His passes are getting more precise and he is scoring goals too. In the Clasico, he ran riot against the Madrid defense, by both scoring and assisting. The magician has not stopped his magic there and has continued his good work ever since. He definitely makes it to this line up.
Forwards
Lionel Messi (RWF - Barcelona)
17 goals and 10 assists in 14 La Liga matches. If he doesn't make it to this line up, then who will? Words of praise will dry up, but it still will not be enough to justifiably characterize his footballing skills. One of the FIFA Ballon d'or nominee, he's marching his way towards that trophy. Had he played better in the WC 2010, he was sure to get that award. This season Messi has been on on fire, which has burned the teams opposing his wrath. He not only makes it to this line up, but he is easily the best player on this line up. If his current form continues till the end of this season, I see Barca winning everything, like they did in the 2008-09 season.
Fernando Llorente Torres (ST - Athletic Bilbao)
Don't mistake him as the Liverpool Fernando Torres. The tall Basque frontman has been in the best form of his life, for both club and country. He has scored 10 goals in the 15 appearances he has made so far and has been under the radar of most of the top European clubs and most notably, Real Madrid. Whether he stays at Bilbao after January isn't known yet. But what is assured is that he has a great career ahead of him and also eye-catching talent.
Cristiano Ronaldo (LWF - Real Madrid)
The heart of Real Madrid's attack, Cristiano Ronaldo has been in deadly form this season, scoring 17 goals and directly assisting 5 goals in 16 appearances. He and Messi have ripped the other La Liga teams apart. So just imagine what these 2 would do if they play for the same side. Cristiano is the only player, by nearest, to challenge Messi. Although, Messi is a class apart from him, he has been trying his hardest to come to the same, if not higher, class as Messi. The Portugal captain has played some fantastic game for the Whites and will hope to continue his good run going into the new year.
Positions-
----------------Diego Lopez----------------
Alves-----Puyol-----Forlin--- ---Marcelo
------------------Busquets--- -----------------
----------Prieto------------- Xavi-------------
Messi------------------------ ------Ronaldo
-----------------Llorente---- -------------------
Hope you liked it. Please have your say too!
Goalkeeper
Diego Lopez - Villarreal
Diego Lopez
Surprise to see his name ahead of Casillas and Valdez? Yes, you must be because Casillas and Valdez have more clean sheets than him so far. But let me tell you this, Casillas and Valdez are protected by a backline of 4 defenders, who are named amongst the best defenders in Europe. Also, the Villarreal shot-stopper has the most number of saves in La Liga. Yes, more than Valdez of Casillas. He is also one of the main reasons of Villarreal's high-flying campaign. Thus, he makes it to this elite list of an elite line-up.
Defenders
Daniel Alves (RB/RWB - Barcelona)
Daniel Alves
The Barcelona wing back has been in exceptional form this season and thoroughly deserves a new contract. He has played in almost every Barcelona game this season and has been an instrumental figure in most of Barcelona's attacking moves and also defensively. Although, he sometimes gets in trouble for being in the opponent's box more than his own, but he covers that up by his lighting speed and monstrous stamina. Running to and fro on the pitch, he's easily been the best right wing back of this season so far.
Carles Puyol(c) (CB - Barcelona)
Carles Puyol
He's been the heart of Barcelona's defense for a long time now and still continues to defend with authority. Although his aging legs are taking away the speed which he used to have 3-4 years back, he still is one of the best defenders in the World and still remains the heart of the Barcelona backline. This season has not been of any changes as Carles Puyol still takes no prisoners and has marshaled his troops to a first place in La Liga, entering new year. The influential captain, thus, takes the centre back berth of this line-up.
Juan Forlin (CB - Espanyol)
Juan Forlin
One of the revelations of this season, Juan Forlin has had a terrific season so far. He's defending qualities have been revealed this season, alongside with the exceptional talent he possesses. He's been the heart of Espanyol defense so far (except for the match against Barcelona, where the rampant Barcelona destroyed everything on their way). Prior to the match against Barcelona, Espanyol just conceded 2 goals in their last 7 games, helping his team lift to a joint 4th place finish this year. Thus, he makes it to this line up keeping the likes of Carvalho, Pepe, Pique and so on, out.
Marcelo Vieira Junior (LB/LWB - Real Madrid)
Marcelo Vieira da Silva Junior
If I named the same guy last season in the full back position, people would've called me a noob and what not, thanks to his defensive 'qualities'. But this season he has been the biggest surprise. Since Mourinho's arrival, I've seen a totally different and learning Marcelo in the defensive side of his game. People who have watched Madrid's game closely will accept what I am saying (leave alone the match against Barcelona, where not only he, but the whole Madrid defense failed to stop the Barca riot). His defensive qualities like tackling, aggression, marking, positioning and so on, have increased dramatically. Not forgetting his attacking prowess, he is now on his way to become a perfect full/wing back, within a couple of years time.
Midfielders
Sergio Busquets (CDM - Barcelona)
Sergio Busquets
The Spain World Cup winner has, by far, been the best holding midfielder in La Liga for more than 2 years now. His excellent positioning skills has not only made him a regular player for Barcelona, but also for Spain. This season, he has continued his good work and has protected the Barcelona back 4 marvelously. Also spraying out defense piercing passes, he is a complete all around package every team will wish to have. At 22, he still has a great future ahead of him. He is also a perfect example to people of how to change your destiny by your own will. Three seasons back, he was playing in the 3rd tier of Spanish football. Now 3 years later, he becomes the integral part of Spain's World domination.
Xabi Prieto (CM - Real Sociedad)
Xabi Prieto
Although he's a right midfielder and not a central midfielder, I can't really miss him out of this list because of the masterclass he is showing this season. He has been the heart of the Basque club. His dribbling and crossing are just a class apart and he is arguably the best right midfielder in Spain, currently. People might say Navas or Cazorla are better than him. But his crossing is way better than the World Cup winner, Navas. Plus, Navas has been injured this season. Cazorla has played excellent too, but Xabi has done better, 2nd highest assist (6 assists) in La Liga, so far, proves that. If Sociedad are to stay safe from relegation, then Xabi has to continue his good work .
Xavi Hernandez (CM - Barcelona)
Xavi Hernandez
I don't think he needs a reason to be there on this list. But for the sake of this blog, I have to give some. He is aging, but as he's getting older, he's getting better. His passes are getting more precise and he is scoring goals too. In the Clasico, he ran riot against the Madrid defense, by both scoring and assisting. The magician has not stopped his magic there and has continued his good work ever since. He definitely makes it to this line up.
Forwards
Lionel Messi (RWF - Barcelona)
Lionel Messi
17 goals and 10 assists in 14 La Liga matches. If he doesn't make it to this line up, then who will? Words of praise will dry up, but it still will not be enough to justifiably characterize his footballing skills. One of the FIFA Ballon d'or nominee, he's marching his way towards that trophy. Had he played better in the WC 2010, he was sure to get that award. This season Messi has been on on fire, which has burned the teams opposing his wrath. He not only makes it to this line up, but he is easily the best player on this line up. If his current form continues till the end of this season, I see Barca winning everything, like they did in the 2008-09 season.
Fernando Llorente Torres (ST - Athletic Bilbao)
Fernando Llorente Torres
Don't mistake him as the Liverpool Fernando Torres. The tall Basque frontman has been in the best form of his life, for both club and country. He has scored 10 goals in the 15 appearances he has made so far and has been under the radar of most of the top European clubs and most notably, Real Madrid. Whether he stays at Bilbao after January isn't known yet. But what is assured is that he has a great career ahead of him and also eye-catching talent.
Cristiano Ronaldo (LWF - Real Madrid)
Cristiano Ronaldo
The heart of Real Madrid's attack, Cristiano Ronaldo has been in deadly form this season, scoring 17 goals and directly assisting 5 goals in 16 appearances. He and Messi have ripped the other La Liga teams apart. So just imagine what these 2 would do if they play for the same side. Cristiano is the only player, by nearest, to challenge Messi. Although, Messi is a class apart from him, he has been trying his hardest to come to the same, if not higher, class as Messi. The Portugal captain has played some fantastic game for the Whites and will hope to continue his good run going into the new year.
Positions-
----------------Diego Lopez----------------
Alves-----Puyol-----Forlin--- ---Marcelo
------------------Busquets--- -----------------
----------Prieto------------- Xavi-------------
Messi------------------------ ------Ronaldo
-----------------Llorente---- -------------------
Hope you liked it. Please have your say too!
| 49 |
| Vote |
subscribe to this blog
Comment by Matt Saltmer
Procrasturbating
Best in Footy
English Premier League
Comment by Kranium Decay
Soccerfest
metalheads
Cricket World
Comment by Joe Soriano
Pro Sports Wrap
Orble Sport Blog
Comment by Rick Gillispie
NBA Loud
Champions League Watch
Films Rock
Racing Weekend
Baseball is Good
Golf Slate
Comment by Kranium Decay
Soccerfest
metalheads
Cricket World