Premier League: Betting.Betfair's team of the year

 

In the wake of last night's PFA awards ceremony, which saw Gareth Bale walk off with both Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year, we asked the B.B football  writers for their votes on the Premier League team of the season (in a 4-4-2 purely for the sake of simplicity). The votes have been counted...

 

Goalkeeper: David De Gea

The great and good of the B.B football writing community agreed with the Premier League players and voted in the Manchester United stopper as best goalkeeper - but  only just ahead of Sunderland's Simon Mignolet, who has impressed this season. There was also support for Stoke's Asmir Begovic and Tottenham's Hugo Lloris.

 

 

Right-back: Pablo Zabaleta

A clear run here for the City full-back who was the obvious selection for the position, although his Manchester counterpart Rafael also received a few votes after a  very decent season for the champions.

 

Centre-back: Jan Vertonghen

The classy Tottenham defender received the most votes from the writers after a hugely impressive first season in the Premier League - at both ends of the pitch. As  well as becoming a first choice at the back for AVB's men, the Belgian has weighed in with six goals, including a peach of a strike at Swansea.

 

Centre-back: Rio Ferdinand

Competition for the second centre-back slot was fierce, with plenty of votes for both Swansea's Ashley Williams and Manchester City's Matija Nastasic, who have both  performed very well during the course of the 2012/13 campaign. But Ferdinand edged out the pair after rolling back the years in a championship winning year for United.

 

Left-back: Leighton Baines

Every vote but one was for the Everton full-back with the indie-band haircut, who has had a storming season for the Goodison club, leading the way in the Premier  League for chances created. The other vote? Ben Lyttleton opted for Saints' starlet Luke Shaw.

 

 

Right midfield: Juan Mata

While Chelsea spent big money adding creativity to their midfield in the summer, in the shape of Eden Hazard and Oscar, it is the Spaniard who has been the standout  performer at Stamford Bridge this season, pulling the strings and chipping in with 18 goals in all competitions. A standout pick of the writers.

 

Central midfield: Michael Carrick

Arsene Wenger's choice player of the season, it appears this was the season when football as a whole finally woke up to the ability of Michael Carrick. The United  midfielder has been a model of consistency this season, both with the ball and defensively, supporting his centre-backs superbly. An overwhelming choice for the  holding role.

 

Central midfield: Santi Cazorla

While the players plumped for Eden Hazard in midfield, our writers opted for the Arsenal schemer to support Carrick in the centre of the park. The pint sized Spaniard  has been the driving force behind Arsenal's bid for Champions League qualification, with his incisive passing.

 

Left midfield: Gareth Bale

While he rarely actually starts out on the left these days, Bale was the only choice for the position after an absolutely superb season. The Welshman has hit 29 goals  in all competitions (including internationals) and last night became only the third player to win both PFA awards.

 

 

Forward: Robin van Persie

Another easy selection for the writers, with the Dutchman leading the Premier League scoring charts with 25 (from a total of 34). It's been a wonderful first season at  Old Trafford for Van Persie, with most agreeing he was the key to United's title victory.

 

Forward: Luis Suarez:

It was a tougher battle for the second striker position, with the controversial Liverpool man only just edging out Swansea's Michu, according to the votes from the  writers. But while recent headlines have focused on biting, there is no denying it's been a great campaign for Suarez in what has been a season of promise for Brendan  Rodgers' men.

 

Do you agree with the selections? Let us know by commenting!

 

Bet HERE

Viewed 733 times