Premier League team of the season 2012-2013

Premier League team of the season! 

The season is a month old and the new season is only two months away. On the eve of when the new Premier league season’s fixture list is announced, I decided it was a great time to name my team of season 2012-2013.

Some may agree or disagree with these but they are my decisions and I am sticking to it.

GOALKEEPER 

Simon Mignolet – Sunderland

Even though Sunderland struggled throughout the season, for me the Sunderland keeper excelled. They struggled for goals with Fletcher scoring over a third of their goals until he got injured in March. If you consider they had such a poor strike rate but still managed to stay just above the relegation zone all season, then you realise how good the Belgium international has been.

Runner Up: Asmir Begovic – Stoke City

RIGHT BACK 

Pablo Zabaletta – Manchester City

The Argentinian hard man was one of the few consistent performers for City all season. He became somewhat of a talisman with his marauding runs up field and full-blooded tackles. Often when Mancini’s side seemed to run out of ideas it was him who sparked the team and the crowd back into life with his all action displays.

Runner Up: Raphael – Manchester United

CENTRE BACK 

Rio Ferdinand – Manchester United

The veteran played his way into being a main stay in the first 11 this season. At the start of the season injuries, questions about his age and England omissions could have affected him negatively. Instead he used all of that to put in one of his most consistent seasons at the club, ending it with a sixth league winners medal.

Runner Up: Phill Jagielka – Everton

CENTRE BACK 

Jan Vertonghen – Tottenham

The Belgium international had one of the best first seasons of any player in the Premier league. Not only did he make a difference at the back for Spurs, he was influential going forward. He seemed to slot into the side with no fuss and always looked comfortable in possession of the ball, which for a defender is a huge plus.

Runner Up: Ashley Williams – Swansea

LEFT BACK

Leighton Baines – Everton

The full back was again a pillar of consistency for Everton as he terrorised right backs all season. His tireless running up and down the wing was an effective weapon, but he was also defensively sound. If that wasn’t enough add being a superb and accurate dead ball specialist, whether it was from a corner or a free kick.

Runner Up: Patrice Evra – Manchester United

CENTRE MIDFIELD

Yaya Toure – Manchester City

Some may say he wasn’t as influential as last season, plus he missed a bit of the season due to the African cup of Nations but he was still as influential as ever. When he wasn’t playing City really missed him, which was key. He was then even more effective when he was pushed further forward. For me his performances would still see him walk into any team in Europe.

Runner Up: Michael Carrick – Manchester United

RIGHT MIDFIELD

Santi Cazorla – Arsenal

With Wilshere missing for a lot of the season Cazorla became Arsenal’s “go to guy”. Being Spanish, the midfielder’s typical control of the ball allowed him to dictate play and orchestrate attacks. He was the driving force in Arsenal’s run that got them into the Champions League in a very impressive first season.

Runner Up: Mourane Fellaini – Everton

LEFT MIDFIELD

Juan Mata – Chelsea

Many will not realise how good a season he actually had as it was overshadowed by Bale and Suarez’s exploits, but to me he was definitely on a par with them. In 64 competitive games he scored 20 and had 35 assists. That is a huge contribution; those numbers would still look good alongside anyone in world football last season.

Runner Up: Eden Hazard – Chelsea

RIGHT ATTACKER

Luis Suarez – Liverpool

Nobody can doubt the talent, effort or contribution Suarez made to Liverpool. He was absolutely on fire, giving defenders a torrid time all game. Right up until the Uruguayan was banned he literally scored goals and performed heroics throughout the season, not just hitting a purple patch for a month here and there.

Runner Up: Romalu Lukaku.

CENTRAL STRIKER

Robin Van Persie – Manchester United

Quite simply, his goals were the difference between united losing the league on the last day of the season last year and winning it by 11 points this year. The Dutchman hit the ground running in a united shirt as all of a sudden the games that ended in a draw last season, united were winning this time around due to Van Persie’s goals.

Runner Up: Michu – Swansea

LEFT ATTACKER

Garath Bale – Tottenham

What more can you say about the double player of the year winner? He was playing well before but by the turn of the year he really came into some herculean like form. He was unplayable for most of 2013 as I lost count of the amount of times he put Tottenham on his back and came up with a thrilling winning goal.

Runner Up: Christian Benteke – Aston Villa