Posts Tagged ‘Nemanja Vidic’
Team of the year: Wayne Rooney rules roost
January 1st, 2010 | 
Author: Manchester United were crowned Premier League champions in May, but have just one player to show for their success as we compile the definitive team of 2009.
There is no room for the mercurial talents of Robin van Persie (7.02) and the rejuvenated Didier Drogba (6.91) in our side as Wayne Rooney and Fernando Torres form our indomitable frontline.
Equally, Frank Lampard (6.79) is edged out of the midfield with Cesc Fabregas and Steven Gerrard occupying the two central berths, flanked by wing wizards Andrei Arshavin and Aaron Lennon.
Ashley Cole and Glen Johnson are the two full-backs after consistent displays for Chelsea and, in the right-back’s case, Liverpool and formerly Portsmouth.
Brede Hangeland and Joleon Lescott form a slightly surprising centre-back pairing, with no room for either of United’s first-choice partnership of Nemanja Vidic (6.32) and Rio Ferdinand (5.93).
How it works
We take marks out of 10 awarded to Premier League players from a selection of six national newspapers – The Sun, Daily Star, Daily Mirror, Daily Mail, The Times and the Guardian – then create an average. The top player in each position is rewarded with a spot in our team of the year for 2009.
2009 Team of the Year
Goalkeeper: Shay Given (Manchester City) – 6.89
Right back: Glen Johnson (Liverpool) – 6.73
Centre back: Brede Hangeland (Fulham) – 6.61
Centre back: John Terry (Chelsea) – 6.75
Left back: Ashley Cole (Chelsea) – 6.51
Right midfield: Aaron Lennon (Tottenham) – 6.89
Centre midfield: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool) – 7.03
Centre midfield: Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal) – 6.98
Left midfield: Andrei Arshavin (Arsenal) – 7.05
Centre forward: Wayne Rooney (Manchester United) – 7.15
Centre forward: Fernando Torres (Liverpool) – 7.05