After much
research I have selected 11 players who based on statistics alone would make a
team. Each player has been selected based on statistics that are most relevant
to their position.
Goalkeeper: Petr Cech
Petr Cech
has been an ever present in goal for Chelsea this season, only missing 2 games
in which Chelsea were only able to take 1 point from, a 1-0 home defeat to QPR
and a 2-2 draw away to Reading. Cech’s presence between the posts appears
pivotal in Chelsea’s 9 clean sheets this season, second only to Joe Hart.
Petr Cech:
|
League best:
|
||||
Criteria
|
Statistic
|
Criteria
|
Statistic
|
Held
by
|
|
Appearances
|
24
|
Appearances
|
26
|
-
|
|
Clean sheet percentage
|
37.5%
|
Clean sheet percentage
|
42%
|
Hart
|
|
Save percentage
|
76.6%
|
Save percentage
|
77.8%
|
De Gea
|
|
Average goals conceded
|
1.1 p/g
|
Average goals conceded
|
0.9 p/g
|
Hart
|
Right back: Rafael
Rafael is
arguably one of the most improved players of the season; the 22 year old has
had periodic spells in the starting 11 for United over the last 3 seasons
however seems to have now cemented his place at right back. Despite not having
clean sheets being hard to come by this season, Rafael has stood out as an
individual for United this season.
Rafael Da Silva:
|
League best:
|
||||
Criteria
|
Statistic
|
Criteria
|
Statistic
|
Held
by
|
|
Appearances
|
19
|
Appearances
|
26
|
-
|
|
Accurate crosses
|
0.75 p/g
|
Accurate crosses
|
0.9 p/g
|
Azpilicueta
|
|
Was dribbled past
|
1.1 p/g
|
Was dribbled past
|
1.1 p/g
|
-
|
|
Clearances
|
5 p/g
|
Clearances
|
5 p/g
|
-
|
|
Tackles
|
3 p/g
|
Tackles
|
3.5 p/g
|
Zabaleta
|
Centre backs: Vertonghen and Chico
Vertonghen’s
attacking flair has gotten him many favourites from playing both left back and
centre back, the Belgian’s most noticeable moment coming at Old Trafford where
his individual brilliance resulted in a Spurs 1-0 lead at old Trafford very
early on. His defending ability hasn’t been in the spotlight since his arrival
to the premier league however statistics show credit is definitely due. Chico
is another new arrival to the premier league that didn’t impress me in his
first month, he looked rash and the speed of play in the world’s best league
seemed to trouble him. However since then he has fitted in exceptionally at
Swansea forming a formidable partnership with Ashley Williams.
Vertonghen and Chico:
|
League best:
|
|||||
Criteria
|
Vertong
|
Chico
|
Criteria
|
Statistic
|
Held
by
|
|
Appearances
|
22
|
19
|
Appearances
|
26
|
-
|
|
Tackles
|
2.2 p/g
|
3.3 p/g
|
Tackles
|
3.3 p/g
|
-
|
|
Interceptions (including heading)
|
2.5 p/g
|
3.3 p/g
|
Interceptions (including heading)
|
3.3 p/g
|
-
|
|
Clearances
|
7.4 p/g
|
9.5 p/g
|
Clearances
|
9.5 p/g
|
-
|
|
Left back: Evra
Evra has had
many critics over the last couple of seasons and him himself saying he hasn’t
been anywhere near his best recently. Recent performances seem to suggest
otherwise, though he still might not be part of the water tight defence of
Manchester United 3 seasons back he is starting to make up for it in other
areas, seeming to have taken control of the captain’s armband and being one of
the most offensive full backs (4 goals, 6 assists) in the league along with
Leighton Baines (5 goals, 5 assists).
Patrice Evra:
|
League best:
|
||||
Criteria
|
Statistic
|
Criteria
|
Statistic
|
Held
by
|
|
Appearances
|
24
|
Appearances
|
26
|
-
|
|
Accurate crosses
|
0.6 p/g
|
Accurate crosses
|
2.8 p/g
|
Baines
|
|
Was dribbled past
|
0.55 p/g
|
Was dribbled past
|
0.2 p/g
|
Baines
|
|
Clearances
|
5.2 p/g
|
Clearances
|
5.2 p/g
|
-
|
|
Tackles
|
2.1 p/g
|
Tackles
|
2.9 p/g
|
Gibbs
|
Midfield (1): Mata
Mata’s
performances in the premier league this season have been unquestionably
outstanding, without which Chelsea wouldn’t hope to be in with a chance of
being in the top 4. Mata has been the most creative player from midfield this
season with 9 assists but as world class players do he has also added goals to
his game which put him in with a shout for player of the season.
Juan Mata:
|
League best:
|
||||
Criteria
|
Statistic
|
Criteria
|
Statistic
|
Held
by
|
|
Appearances
|
20
|
Appearances
|
26
|
-
|
|
Goals
|
10
|
Goals
|
18
|
Van Persie
|
|
Assists
|
9
|
Assists
|
9
|
-
|
|
Pass success
|
84.9%
|
Pass success
|
92.6%
|
Arteta
|
|
Key passes
|
3.1 p/g
|
Key passes
|
3.1 p/g
|
-
|
Midfield (2): Cazorla
Cazorla has been
a breath of fresh air since joining Arsenal in the summer after rumours that
Jose Mourinho turned down the chance to sign him in the summer. Spain have a
knack of producing small technically gifted players capable of producing game
changing moments. The winger come playmaker has been at the heart of many of
Arsenal’s domineering matches producing magic when it matters and a smile 24/7.
Santi Cazorla:
|
League best:
|
||||
Criteria
|
Statistic
|
Criteria
|
Statistic
|
Held
by
|
|
Appearances
|
25
|
Appearances
|
26
|
-
|
|
Goals
|
9
|
Goals
|
18
|
Van Persie
|
|
Assists
|
6
|
Assists
|
9
|
Mata
|
|
Pass success
|
87.2%
|
Pass success
|
92.6%
|
Arteta
|
|
Key passes
|
2.5 p/g
|
Key passes
|
3.1 p/g
|
Mata
|
Midfield
(3): Bale
The 23 year
old has yet again proved to be one of the most talented players in the premier
league, as in my opinion the second best left sided player in the world, only
behind a certain CR7. Bale’s direct style of play shows in the statistics with
only a 78.8% pass success however this seems to be because he is the one always
receiving the ball, however with 47 dribbles and the most goals from a midfield
position this shows why he is the receiver of 8 man of the match awards this
season, the most in the premier league.
Gareth Bale:
|
League best:
|
||||
Criteria
|
Statistic
|
Criteria
|
Statistic
|
Held
by
|
|
Appearances
|
22
|
Appearances
|
26
|
-
|
|
Goals
|
13
|
Goals
|
18
|
Van
Persie
|
|
Assists
|
1
|
Assists
|
9
|
Mata
|
|
Pass success
|
78.8%
|
Pass success
|
92.6%
|
Arteta
|
|
Key passes
|
2.3 p/g
|
Key passes
|
3.1 p/g
|
Mata
|
Forward (1): Suarez
After last
season’s debatable finishing attributes this season Suarez has found his goal
scoring form that got him very high praise at Ajax. Suarez’s unique style of
play of ‘deliberate ricochets’ make him very versatile as a front man, enabling
him take players of a game for fun, score goals and create for his new inform
strike partner, Sturridge.
Luis Suarez:
|
League best:
|
||||
Criteria
|
Statistic
|
Criteria
|
Statistic
|
Held
by
|
|
Appearances
|
24
|
Appearances
|
26
|
-
|
|
Goals
|
17
|
Goals
|
18
|
Van Persie
|
|
Assists
|
3
|
Assists
|
9
|
Mata
|
|
Shot conversion rate
|
17%
|
Shot conversion rate
|
33%
|
Michu
|
|
Dribbles completed
|
72
|
Dribbles completed
|
72
|
-
|
Forward (2): Van Persie
The Flying
Dutchman has hit the ground running at Manchester United, despite scoring 4
less goals this season than he had achieved at this point last season he is
relishing his new role as an out and out striker under Sir Alex opposed to
being a one man team at Arsenal last season. The RVP/Rooney combination is one
that is blossoming and one that could set up Wednesday’s CL game against Madrid
as a thriller.
Robin van Persie:
|
League best:
|
||||
Criteria
|
Statistic
|
Criteria
|
Statistic
|
Held
by
|
|
Appearances
|
22
|
Appearances
|
26
|
-
|
|
Goals
|
18
|
Goals
|
18
|
-
|
|
Assists
|
6
|
Assists
|
9
|
Mata
|
|
Shot conversion rate
|
20%
|
Shot conversion rate
|
33%
|
Michu
|
|
Dribbles completed
|
21
|
Dribbles completed
|
72
|
Suarez
|
Forward (3): Michu
Arguably the
buy of the season. The attacking midfielder set his standards high with 2
excellent goals on his premier league debut against QPR and since then he has
been banging them in left, right and centre and not just against lower level
teams. The 6”2 attacker seems to be able to score any type of goal with the
deadliest conversion rate in the league, making the £2 million man a certainty
to get in the season XI.
Michu:
|
League best:
|
||||
Criteria
|
Statistic
|
Criteria
|
Statistic
|
Held
by
|
|
Appearances
|
25
|
Appearances
|
26
|
-
|
|
Goals
|
15
|
Goals
|
18
|
Van Persie
|
|
Assists
|
2
|
Assists
|
9
|
Mata
|
|
Shot conversion rate
|
33%
|
Shot conversion rate
|
33%
|
-
|
|
Dribbles completed
|
7
|
Dribbles completed
|
72
|
Suarez
|
So here is
the overall XI selected by statistics alone and in my opinion seems to be a
very accurate representation of performances so far. We’ll see how it turns out
come May.
Images and
statistics courtesy of:
By Ryan Pantrey
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