La Creme de la Prem — 2008

Here’s my English Premier League all-star 11 for the recently completed season:

Chris Kirkland – Wigan

Kolo Toure – Arsenal
Joleon Lescott – Everton
Rio Ferdinand – Manchester United

Gareth Barry – Aston Villa
Steven Gerrard – Liverpool
Cesc Fabregras – Arsenal
David Bentley – Blackburn
Cristiano Ronaldo – Manchester United

Fenando Torres – Liverpool
Emmanuel Adebayor – Arsenal

Player of the year – C. Ronaldo followed by F. Torres
Everton player of the year – Lescott followed by Mikel Arteta

Only Ronaldo, Fabregas and Gerrard repeat from last year’s team, though most in that team would populate the second and third choice units this year.

Some may be bothered that my first 11 includes no one from the great Chelsea team. But a combination of injuries and player rotation prevented many of Chelsea’s top players from playing in a high percentage of the team’s 38 league matches. Joe Cole led the team in starts (28) and appearances (33). Ashley Cole was the only other player to start more than 25 times. If I expanded to a second and third team both Coles would be included, along probably with a few other Chelsea stars.

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