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Manchester United & Arsenal dominate our fans Premier League back line of the season!

Tagged: Premiership
Football FanCast detective Fred Foley reflects on your nominations to announce the Premier League's Select X1.

The nominations were put forward, the responses were calculated. Now it's time to find out which players received your votes in the Premier League Select XI of the season. It may be the perfect team for some, there may be surprises for others. But that's what football's all about, and that's what we're here for. Real fans, with real opinions; so have your say, once more.


Goalkeeper
- Pepe Reina

If we were to judge a goalkeeper solely on the ability to save a penalty, Jose Manuel Reina would (excuse the pun) reign supreme. The Liverpool goalkeeper has placed himself between the sticks on 33 occasions to date in this season's Premier League, and during which has replaced Ray Clemence as the quickest Liverpool player to notch 50 clean sheets, doing so in a rather impressive 92 outings. The Spaniard beat off competition from Petr Cech and Edwin Van de Sar, though David James was just as popular with our readers for understandable reasons.

Reina is a man that, in goalkeeping terms, is well before his peak, currently just 25 years of age. Though perhaps not reaching the heights of his goalkeeping father, Miguel Reina Santos, the talents of the Liverpool number one will undoubtedly have been appreciated by Mr Benitez in this current campaign. Inspirational in this season's Champions League progress, and likewise last term, the agility and bounce that the Spaniard possesses define the goalkeeping style of the ex-Barcelona man.

Right Back - Bacary Sagna

Close between this man and Glen Johnson, and if Alan Hutton had enjoyed a whole season in the Premiership he may have provided more competition than fellow Spur, Pascal Chimbonda, but Sagna it was. Mixed emotions no doubt for the Frenchman two weeks ago at Stamford Bridge, after netting his first Premier League goal, the right-back's ankle injury led to his substitution only moments before Didier Drogba notched his first of the afternoon. Sagna's ankle problem is likely to keep him out of action for a total of three weeks, but his form up until the visit to West London has been well documented.

Indeed the Arsenal manager will be keen to see the former Auxerre man back in the starting eleven after what has been an extremely impressive season for the 25 year-old. After making the switch to the Emirates last summer, Sagna has adapted superbly to the Premier League, and his consistency has been one of the highlights of the Gunners' latest back-four. Another of Wenger's versatile recruits, Sagna's defensive abilities are matched by his offensive attributes. Strong in the tackle, and likewise in the air, Bacary's talents have received deserved praise this term, as the former bearer of Sagna's no.3 shirt looks on in envy of such positive media attention.


Left Back
- Gael Clichy


Not quite Dixon and Winterburn but it's an Arsenal double for the full backs, and probably more likely than any other Gunners' double this season. Despite his imperfections with a notable error springing to mind, the Frenchman's consistency in appearances and quality delivered cannot be disputed. Continually developing, the 22 year-old is one of the fastest players in the Premier League at current and is another whose versatility accentuates his ability to attack from defence.

Originally Ashley Cole's understudy, the Toulouse born defender is one of the perfect examples when demonstrating Arsene Wenger's ability to develop young talent. Clichy has been an influential figure in Arsenal's season thus far and is still hopeful of a call-up to the French Euro 2008 squad. For a man whose heart once stopped during an operation to sew back his lost finger (entangled with his ring and a metal fence), such an opportunity may feel like another miracle, yet perhaps a miracle well-deserved. Joleon Lescott came a close second with Patrice Evra also nominated.


Centre Back - Rio Ferdinand


Arguably the best centre-back in the Premiership this season, and arguably England's finest at current likewise. Rio's talents as a footballer are unquestionable and notably far superior than his pre-World Cup Pranks. With his forever-attached price tag and reputation, Rio has unsurprisingly, on occasions, not lived up to his demanding expectations. This season for me, tells a different story.

Indeed, over the past couple of years, the Manchester United defender has performed to his expected standards consistently. The 29 year-old oozes confidence and his elegance on the ball superbly amplifies the attributes of his domestic and national defensive partners. Rio ticks all the proverbial boxes for a defender; commanding in the air, a natural reader of the game, and an ability to consistently find the correct defensive line.

The partnership between Nemanja Vidic and the ex-West Ham man has of course been pivotal to United's success this season, and despite Rio's continued success with club and country, the Peckham-born defender is not one to forget his roots - a creditable and seemingly diminishing quality.


Centre Back
- Nemanja Vidic


And we have a double for Alex Ferguson's men (replication in trophies perhaps more likely here). I doubt even Arsene Wenger could argue the form of Manchester United's backline this season, and though Patrice Evra and Wes Brown have excelled themselves in a red shirt this season, the centre-half partnership of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic has been instrumental in United's success this season. "The most productive partnership of my career" a notable compliment from the Serbian international's defensive colleague.

The compliments continue onto the pitch. Rio's calmness and panache unquestionably supplemented by the offensive, tight-marking former Spartak Moscow player. Indeed, the form of the 26 year-old has been not only one of the surprises at Old Trafford this season, but also one of the highlights. The aerial dominance that Vidic offers is notably missed in his absence, and his physical presence and bravery will no doubt have Steve Bruce nodding in agreement with this inclusion.


Jamie Carragher a notable omission from the defensive pairing, and his continued excellence deserves reflection, as does the form of Richard Dunne, also nominated. William Gallas was closely nudged out, alongside his former Chelsea team-mate, John Terry.

The first five of the fan's Premier League Select XI of the season. Agree or disagree, there's more to come.

 

 

 

 

Average: 2.9 (8 votes)
N5
Picture of N5
I would have Gallas ahead of
I would have Gallas ahead of Ferdinand - much more solid

Jed
Picture of Jed
Why doesnt Jamie Carragher
Why doesnt Jamie Carragher get a place in this team, by far the better centre half in the Premier League.

Ahmed
Picture of Ahmed
How come Clichy ahead of
How come Clichy ahead of Evra? Evra by far the best in the world

Angie
Picture of Angie
Jamie Carragher is crap
Jamie Carragher is crap that's why. I mesn how can it not be Ferdinand and Vidic when they have beenpart of the defensive partnership to concede the least number of goals all season - wake up you carragher fan - he's rubbish and overrated.

jones
Picture of jones
LOL,come on,bro,are u an
LOL,come on,bro,are u an arsenal fan? that is the only reason i can think of as why r u supporting gallas more then ferdinand,at least ferdinand did not score OWN GOAL!! how many own goals had gallas score this season,go and count man!! the 2 matches against man united,he already SCORE TWICE!! he is a rough ass bitch who only push and kick nani when his skills cannot match him,i wonder what if ronaldo the better winger vs him one on one,he will surely cried to his mummy like the final whistle of the birmingham draw!!

Sorry, flash is not available.

laughing gooner
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Jones do you like sheep by
Jones do you like sheep by any chance ?

esko
Picture of esko
dumbass comment, the best
dumbass comment, the best premiership defense for the last two seasons running was the liverpool defense, hence why reina has won the golden glove for the last 2 seasons. Carragher crap? obviously you have no idea!!!!!!

laughing gooner
Picture of laughing gooner
esko obviously your a poo
esko obviously your a poo supporter, so i bet you think poo play nice football as well ? lol because your football and tatics and pure shite you players/teams of old would not be proud in anyway shape or form of the tripe you play, bolton look like total football compared to you, but if thats wot u poo fans like we ll fair enough, lets all park in front of goal and claim glory, your football disgust me

Laughing gooner
Picture of Laughing gooner
esko obviously you have no
esko obviously you have no idea!!!!!!

danny
Picture of danny
i'm an arsenal fan and i
i'm an arsenal fan and i would agree with the above- certainly that ferdinand and vidic are the best centre back pairing (much as it pains me to admit). also, much as i love clichy, he has had one or two lapses and i think it would be a coin-toss between him and evra, although considering evra has a few years on him, gael shall definitely be the best for sure within two years. no arguments whatsoever about sagna or reina.