This week, I took a slightly different approach to my team selection. Rather than listing out names as I have done in previous weeks, I have justified players selection with a few lines. Here we go -
Pepe Reina (Liverpool) - Goalkeeper
One of three Premier League keeper who managed a clean sheet this week. Pepe gets my vote because he showed great leadership, not only as captain of the team, but also in organizing his defenders (in the absence of Jamie Carragher). He never hesitates to give his defenders a piece of his mind when they miss a step. Ask Jose Enrique, who got a mouthful for not clearing a dangerous ball appropriately.
Micah Richards (Manchester City) - Right Full Back
If England's Manager (Fabio Capello) is listening, this guy is better than Glen Johnson (Liverpool), England's current Right Full Back. Not only does he provide the killer crosses (ask Dzeko, Balotelli and Aguero), he also defends like a monster.
Leighton Baines (Everton) - Left Full Back
After Ashley Cole's sloppy display against Arsenal, Mr. Capello may be watching Baines with keen interest. Baines and team may have lost against Man United, but he was a constant threat done the left side. He could have notched a goal to complete an excellent display but saw his exquisite free kick cannon off the crossbar.
Daniel Agger (Liverpool) - Center Half
The gentle Danish giant is quietly becoming a symbol of stability in the heart of Liverpool's defense. With Agger out nursing an injury, Liverpool's defense looked shaky (despite Jamie Carragher's commando defending). With Agger back on the side, Liverpool did not looked threatened by West Brom's attempts to score. Don't let the gentleness fool you, he can get down with the rough stuff too. Ask his ex-team mate Fernando Torres, who got a 'welcome reception' from Agger on his first game against his former club wearing a Chelsea shirt.
Martin Skrtel (Liverpool) - Center Half
Skrtel deserves credit also for securing Pepe Reina's third clean sheet of the season. He was consistent and solid in repelling every ball West Brom throw into the Liverpool box. He showed that he can partner well with Daniel Agger in Carragher's absence.
Scott Parker (Tottenham) - Central Defensive Midfielder
Parker's continued resurgence under Harry Redknapp means it's time Fabio Capello considered retiring Frank Lampard from the England setup. Parker was the heart and soul of Tottenham in their 3-1 victory against QPR. He is yet to lose a game since arriving at White Hart Lane after their loses to Man United and Man City.
David Silva (Manchester City) - Central Attacking Midfielder
Silva slightly edges Chelsea's Juan Mata for this week. While he didn't score a spectacular goal like Mata, he was the glue that made City's play stick. Granted, their performance wasn't at par with the Old Trafford display, but Silva kept City looking dangerous at all times.
Theo Walcott (Arsenal) - Right Wing Midfielder
It's about time we had an Arsenal player in the weekly top 11 who wasn't Robin Van Persie. Theo was explosive against Chelsea, especially in the second half. After struggling against Ashley Cole in the first half, Theo kicked into full gear in the second as he noticed Cole had ran out of gas. His cracking goal to put Arsenal up at 3-2 set the tone for the Gunners to go for all three points.
Gareth Bale (Tottenham Hotspur) - Left Wing Midfielder
Bale is arguably the best left winger in Europe. His stock continues to go higher, and did so today with 2 cracking goals against QPR. He's been the unsung hero along with Rafa Van Der Vaart in Tottenham's continued rise in the premier league table
Nathan Dyer (Swansea) - Striker
Dyer's selecting might raise an eyebrow for those unfamiliar with the petite striker. He was the heart of Swansea's attacking play, causing problems for the Bolton back line with his pace and trickery. Got Gardner booked and sent off for pulling him back.
Robin Van Persie (Arsenal) - Striker
At present, RVP is the best striker money can buy in the Premiership. Forget the transfer fees for Aguero, Balotelli, Torres et al. If any club were to inquire about RVP today, they will not find a $60 million fee strange. What RVP did against Chelsea on Saturday is worth half that amount already. It may be another few years until we see another such display against a top 3 club at home.
Substitutions -
David De Gea - Manchester United
Javier Hernandez - Manchester United
Luis Suraez - Liverpool
Juan Mata - Chelsea
Aaron Ramsey - Arsenal
N. Vidic - Man United
Ledley King - Tottenham
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