We've come to the mid-way point in the English Premier League. This season started with Liverpool at the top after 3 games only to be eclipsed by the Arsenal. Who then led the pack till the end of the year. In between Arsenal's lead, Man. City, who initially were struggling away at the early part of the season, almost ended the first half as the League Leader. Such has been the very competitive nature of this championship. Six points separates first and fifth, which promises that we'll have to wait to the bitter end to determine the winner.

The relegation battle between the bottom teams of Sunderland,Westham, Crystal Palace and Fulham also produced equal excitement.

There had been some outstanding performers and this list hopefully will be a fair reflection on the impact those players have had on their respective teams and the championship in general.

The team will be in a 4-4-2 formation

Luis Suarez (Liverpool). Arguably the best Striker in the world right now. 19goals in 14 games and equalling Andy Cole's record of quickest to 20 goals in a season, in just 15 matches! Remarkable numbers from the Uruguayan. 

Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)

has carried a woeful ManUtd team all season. Rumored to be his way to rivals,Chelsea in June. Only time will tell if his reversal to stay will come back to haunt his career.

Mesut Ozil (Arsenal)
The missing piece of Wenger's jigsaw in finally ending their trophy drought. He has galvanized the team and propelled their ascension to the top of the league. His purchase, by the way, broke Arsenal's transfer record and proved that investment in marquee signings, was what Wenger should have done earlier.

 Eden Hazard (Chelsea)  We all knew, he had it in him but this season Eden's play has truly been hazardous to opponents. The silky midfielder has been a menace to defenses and provided the goals since the Chelsea Strikers have drawing blanks.

Yaya Toure (Man. City)

Man city's talisman has been instrumental in his teams performances this season. And has added free kicks to his repertoire. 

Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal)

Has been in phenomenal form. Scoring tons of goals this season. Maybe its something he ate or maybe it is the Ozil effect that has rubbed off the rest of his team mates to raise their game.

Luke Shaw (Southampton)
Has been a revelation for Southampton  Fast and strong. Leighton Baines also deserves a mention here.

Phil Jagielka (Everton)

One of the most consistent performers in the EPL. Enuff said.

Per Mertesacker (Arsenal)

Has held forte for the Gunner's defense this season. He has been able to organize and provide the leadership that had previously been lacking in this Arsenal side

Seamus Coleman (Everton)

Easily the best right back n the league. To think that he costs Everton just 50,000 pounds.  In todays big money spending that is bumper bargain and he is worth every penny.

Tim Howard (Everton)

In a season of not very convincing performances in goal ,Tim Howard stands out. Everton's back line has been very strong thus far.

   






Manager: Brenden Rogers (Liverpool)

Easily the most improved manager of the most improved team this season. What stood him out was his ability to convince want-a-away striker Suarez, not just to stay in Liverpool, but drop his petulant habits and play the best football in his career.

Liverpool is having a resurgence under Brendan Roger this season. Second place in the league and playing with a swagger and venomous attack of the likes never seen in a long while.  So great is the confidence at the Kop these days, that there are even  murmurs of a possible title challenge. Why not? The Reds have leading their attacker, possibly the most lethal striker in world football right now. Yes, that  man we love to "hate", Luis Suarez. Anyway, what artist will accomplish much without a great supporting cast. Henderson is looking the player, we all thought he wasn't. 

Gerrard is exemplary as always, Coutinho and Sturridge have been in phenomenal form when they have been fit.  Flanagan, Allen and especially Raheem have been putting up sterling performances.

In the summer, Rogers made an inspired decision in replacing Reina, who was the weak link at the back at last season, with Minolet in goal and fortifying the central defense with Sakho.

The first team is obviously awesome,but a long injury list could derail Liverpool's title charge.

Hence the case for reinforcements in key areas. One area sorely needing attention is midfield 

See below my recommendations for Rogers.

1. KOSTAS MITROGLOU:

Is a Greek footballer who plays as a striker for Olympiacos and the Greek national team. Mitroglou started his career at Borussia Mönchengladbach, where he established himself as an excellent prospect now with his prolific form at Olympiacos, he has become one of the highly sought players in the world.

Relevance: 4/10

2.Mohammed Salah
It seems pretty certain that the “Egyptian Messi” who tormented both Chelsea and Tottenham in Europe, will be a Liverpool player in January.
Salah would fit nicely in the wings and give Raheem and Victor Moses some healthy competition.
Relevance: 7/10

3.Will Hughes - Derby's teenage midfielder has terrific ball control with an eye for goal and his playing style is similar to the Super Eagles’ Mikel not the Chelsea one. He is certainly one for the future.
Relevance:6/10

4.John Guidetti - Once a hot property of Feyenord, Guidetti made an error by join Manchester City a club known for buying stars for their first team. He is about to reverse himself by leaving in January and could flourish at Liverpool.
Relevance: 5/10

5.Onazi- the Nigerian defensive midfielder is highly mobile and renown for breaking up opponents’ attacks and one of the hottest young players in the world right now. Onazi would be useful in deputizing for Lucas, should the defensive midfielder get injured or lose form.
Relevance:8/10

6.Salomon Rondon - Reportedly a Liverpool target when Suarez's exit from the club seemed inevitable, Rondon could be on his way out at Rubin Kazan and Liverpool may well renew their interest in the forward.
Relevance:9/10

7.Ola Toivonen - Liverpool needs height and power and the powerful Swede could provide that. Also, he could be a “cheap” addition since he is available on a free in the summer.
Relevance:8/10

8.Lacina Traoré
The Ivorian striker, currently at Anzhi Makhachkala, who stands at 6 feet and 8 inches, could provide the Reds with an added option should Sturridge remain absent. Traore is likely to be offloaded by the side from Dagestan who are cost cutting. And the strong targetman could be a good 'Plan B' should Liverpool need one.
Relevance:7/10

9.Kelechi Iheanacho- He has already signed for Manchester City but Liverpool should be ready to pick him up when he inevitably leaves City in frustration of lack of first team football.
Relevance: 2/10

With the transfers window finally closed, I now write my yearly review and analysis of some select teams in the English premier League. This years championship promises to be very interesting and balanced. For the first time in a long while, we actually have six teams that have realistic chances of winning the league. 

The reigning champions, Manchester United, will be without their iconic manager , Sir Alex Ferguson for the first time in 25 years. His successor, David Moyes, formerly the Manager of Everton would like to assure any doubters at Old Trafford that he is the right man for the job. 

Whereas in King's Road, Chelsea's iconic Manager has returned "home" and will be looking forward to rekindling the successive championship success of 2005-2007 seasons. This Chelsea team, though it has remnants of those glory days, is quite different. It will be interesting to see how the rechristened "Happy One" will mould this younger, somewhat less talented side to the championship winning side of his first incarnation. 

The Spurs and the Man. City have spend close to $200 million between them to fortify the squads. Liverpool has also brought in some good players and most crucially, stopped their talisman, Luis Suarez from joining Arsenal. Wenger, in a statement of intent, uncharacteristically broke the club's transfer record to bring in Mesut Ozil from Real madrid

Without much further ado, read the predictions below.

Arsenal

Trophy-less for eight seasons now. Frustrated Arsenal faithfuls will be longing for the glory days to return again. Wenger responding to the yearnings for a marquee signing and bought Ozil from Real Madrid for a club record fee of $66 million. Only time will tell whether it is the right signing Arsenal needs, considering Giroud is currently the only striker Arsenal have,since Podoski's injury.  Arsenal made fourth place last season but only just. This season they have started well, especially with a win over potential rivals and neighbors, Tottenham. A second place finish might be the best this maturing Arsenal side can do for now.

Warning: Injuries might derail their season.


In: Mesut Ozil, Real Madrid £42.5m, Mathieu Flamini Milan, free, Yaya Sanogo Auxerre, free, Emiliano Viviano Palermo, loan

Out: Gervinho Roma, £8m, Vito Mannone Sunderland, £1.5m, Marouane Chamakh Crystal Palace, free, André Santos Flamengo, undisc, Andrey Arshavin Zenit St Petersburg, free, Denilson São Paulo, free

Final Position - 2nd

Chelsea

Don't underestimate the winning value of the Mourinho effect.  The Happy One brings box office to the league and will inherit Fergie's crown as its top dog.

It remains to be seen which tactics, Mourinho will employ in his quest to guide his side to championship victory. Will we see the counter-attacking system, he deployed in his stint with the Galaticos? Or do we see a return to workman like system used in his first stint as Chelsea boss. A giveaway will be the players, he has purchased to fit into the system he hopes to use. As usual, Mourinho favors physically strong players with a high work rate over guile and flair.  Although, this Chelsea team lacks the quality of the 2005-7 side, the Special One's experience will prove too much for the opposing pretenders to the throne.

Warning: Expect a Wimbledon-seque ride.

In: Willian Anzhi £32m, André Schürrle Bayer Leverkusen, £18m, Marco van Ginkel Vitesse Arnhem, £9m, Christian Atsu Porto, £3.5m, Cristian Cuevas O’Higgins, £3m, Mark Schwarzer Fulham, free, Samuel Eto’o Anzhi, free

Out: Victor Moses Liverpool, loan, Jeffrey Bruma PSV Eindhoven, £2.5m, Ross Turnbull Doncaster, free, Florent Malouda Trabzonspor, free

Position: 1st 

Liverpool

The most decorated team in English football will be looking to getting back on their perch. It will be ironic, if they succeed in doing that in the first year of absence of the man responsible for eroding their status as the kings of English football. Brenden Rogers has done the best business in the transfer window. Retaining the petulant Suarez, and bringing in quality signing such as Simon Mignolet, who might well be the key to Liverpool regaining their Champions League position. Sturridge and Countinho seem to have struck a cord. Hopefully, their symphony maybe what the Reds needs to propel them to the top of the league. The last time Liverpool started well, they almost won it. Could history repeat itself? Probably, and I won't put it pass them. Without the distractions of Champions League football, the Scousers could focus all their efforts in reclaiming their position as the best team in the land.

Warning: Control Suarez.


In Mamadou Sakho PSG, £12m, Iago Aspas Celta Vigo, £9m, Simon Mignolet Sunderland, £9m, Luis Alberto Seville, £6.8m, Tiago Ilori Sporting Lisbon, £6.8m, Kolo Touré Manchester City, free, Victor Moses Chelsea, loan

Out Andy Carroll West Ham, £15m, Stewart Downing West Ham, £5m, Jonjo Shelvey Swansea, £5m, Jay Spearing Bolton, £2m, Dani Pacheco AD Alcorcon, undisc

Position: 3rd

Manchester United

There is a saying that Sir Ferguson sitting on the ManUtd bench, brings the team, an extra 12 points plus fergie time. Already, the change of guard has cost ManU points from  unfavorable crucial refereeing decisions: A penalty versus Chelsea, 5 yellow cards against Liverpool. During the match against Liverpool, some might have been asking, "What would the great man do to turn the game around"? When their biggest rivals were a goal ahead for much of the game. Such is the burden, Moyes faces as he steps into, probably the biggest shoes in world football.

Warning: A blip of poor form will draw doubts,unfair Fergie comparision on Moyes.

In Marouane Fellaini Everton, £27.5m, Guillermo Varela Penarol, £2.4m

Out Bebé Pacos de Ferreira, loan, Sean McGinty Sheffield United, free, Frederic Veseli Ipswich, free, John Cofie Barnsley, free, Reece Brown Watford, free, Ryan Tunnicliffe, Scott Wootton Leeds United, undisclosed

Position: 4th

ManCity

Once again, the blue side of Manchester has spent heavily to fortified their side for this season's champaign after the poor defense of their championship last season. Even the Coach Manchin was not spared as Mancity management try to right the wrongs of wretched champaign. The new additions that Pellegrini brought will need time to settle into fast pace of the premier league. Known for a 4-4-2 formation, Pellegrini will look to forge a winning side from a chaotic dressing room.City might have all the money in the abundance but they lack team spirit. Sadly, that is what wins titles.

Warning: Pellegrini needs to check the egos.


In Fernandinho Shakhtar Donetsk, £30m, Stevan Jovetic Fiorentina, £22m, Jésus Navas Seville, £17m, Alvaro Negredo Seville, £16.4m, Martín Demichelis Atlético Madrid, £3.5m

Out Carlos Tévez Juventus, £10m, Denis Suárez Barcelona, £1.3m, Maicon Roma, undiscl, Wayne Bridge Reading, free, Roque Santa Cruz Málaga, free, Kolo Touré Liverpool, free, Gareth Barry Everton, loan

Position: 5th 

Tottenham

Over $100m spent on players this season by Spurs. Villa-Boas has assembled an army capable of going toe-toe with any team. Questions will be asked of the impact of Bale's loss. Hopefully, someone from the new recruits will fill Bale's void. This Spurs side is quality. Unfortunately, one will have to wait till the second half of the season to see it.

Warning: Gel quickly or Fade out.

In Erik Lamela Roma, £30m, Roberto Soldado Valencia, £26m, Paulinho Corinthians, £17m, Christian Eriksen Ajax, £11.5m, Étienne Capoue T oulouse, £9m, Vlad Chiriches Steaua Bucharest, £8.5m, Nacer Chadli FC Twente, £7m

Out Gareth Bale Real Madrid, £86m, Steven Caulker Cardiff, £8m, Clint Dempsey Seattle Sounders, £6m, Tom Huddlestone Hull, £5m, Scott Parker Fulham, £2m. Benoît Assou-Ekotto QPR, loan, Tom Carroll QPR, loan

Position:6th
The Eventual League Table
1. Chelsea
2. Arsenal
3. Liverpool
4. Manchester United.
5. ManCity
6.Tottenham.

It's better late than never. This is my take on the 2012-2013 premiership which Manchester United were worthy champions. It was a no contest after Christmas when Man City failed to put up a meaningful defence of their title.That sort of shifted everyone's attention towards the relegation battle and the frantic tussle for the remaining two Champions league spots.
At the end of it all,Chelsea and and Arsenal managed to get those spots but only just ,as Tottenham pushed them all the way.

THE TEAM OF THE SEASON

My team will be sporting a 4-1-2-3 formation

Asmir Begovic (Stoke City) -Stoke City's shot shooter was phenomenal this season and his efforts would definitely earn him a move to a top four side.

 

Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham)- Liverpool wanted him at the start of the season but Tottenham "stole" him under their noses. It didn't take long to show everyone why. Jan is a versatile player capable of playing as a centre- back and left-back.

Leighton Baines (Everton)- The powerful left-back has really been a revelation this season where he created 116 chances for his teammates which earned him a place in 2013's PFA Premier League Team of the Year .He also won Everton's Player of the Season and Players' Player of the Season awards .

 Pablo Zabaleta (Man City)- Ever surging right back.Pablo scored crucial goals especially against Manchester United. After a superb season, Zabaleta was voted 2012–13 Etihad Manchester City Player of the Year.

Jonny Evans (Man United)- John was a much improved defender this season. Stats show that Manchester United conceded less goals when Evens was on the pitch.

David Luiz (Chelsea) - The Brazilian has a superb reading of the game with a rate of 2.3 interceptions per match.Although his aerial dominance is quite weak at 55% he makes up for it with excellent 93% tackling rate.

Marouane Fellaini (Everton) - A top performer and well known for his Afro-hair style.He has been ranked as one of the top 60 footballers in the world by The Guardian (Wikipedia).

Juan Mata (Chelsea) - has enjoyed two excellent seasons in the premiership. His mercurial ball skills and vision helped Chelsea in the capturing the automatic Champions League spot. 

Gareth Bale (Tottenham Hotspur) - The most sought after talent in the world right. Rated along side the two greats:Ronaldo and Messi. Bale is a torment -in-chief of defenses and this season raked in 21 goals to take Tottenham to the brink of a Champions League finish.

Luis Suarez (Liverpool) - Is one of the deadliest footballers in the Premiership. A fact sometimes overlooked by those who rather focus on his sometimes flawed eccentrics. He seems to make headlines for the wrong reasons. His goals this season carried Liverpool to 7th seventh place .Way short of their Champion League target. Sadly, He will start next season on the stands after receiving a 10 match ban for a biting incident.

Robin Van Persie (Man. United)- One thing is clear. ManU might not have won this season's league title so convincingly without the goals of Van Persie. The man is simply a goal scoring machine. His move to Manchester albeit controversial, was inspired as he finally won a Premier crown after many years of disappointment with Arsenal. A bit reminiscent of Lebron taking his "talents" elsewhere.

                                                            Asmir Begovic

    Pablo Zabaleta             Jonny Evans                        Jan Vertonghen                    Leighton Baines

David Luiz  

Mata Marouane Fellaini

Suarez Van Persie Bale

Notably mentions:Coutinho,Michu,Beneke

This is my take on the 2008-2009 premiership which Manchester United were worthy champions. It was quite an exciting season which had Liverpool take up an early lead up till Christmas but Man United showed why the league is a marathon and not a sprint.

Also-rans such as Arsenal and Chelsea could have certainly done more to compete for the title considering all the talent at their disposal. In this season we saw a bigmoney-backed Man city with 35million pound man Robinho trying to see if they could use their new found position to claim the crown. Arsenal's young guns entertained as usual but sometimes were not up the physical demands of the premiership as well as choking in big games.

It was interesting to see Aston Villa battle them a good fight for the last champions league spot. In my own opinion, one of the reasons liverpool lost the title after going 11 points clear at the top of the table at one point was boiled down to some bad decision making by Benitez.. not just his rants and infatuition with Alex Ferguson but also his entire handling of Robbie Keene saga just smacks of poor man management. How could a manager buy a striker for 18 miilion pounds at the beginning of a season only to sell him at christmas after 6 months at the club when the main striker (Torres) is out injured! Liverpool could have easily won this year premiership if more creative player like Benayoun were playing regurlary.Just look at manu they have the most creative attack in Europe.

NOW FOR THE TEAM OF THE SEASON

My team will be sporting a 3-1-3-2-1 formation

Formation: 3-1-2-3-1

Edwin van der Sar (Manchester United) - has to be the goalkeeper that had 12 consecutive clean sheets .Van der saar is further evidence that goalkeeper get better as they age. He had a truly wonderful season.

Jose Bosingwa (Chelsea)- Stated the Season very well; was always a threat while scolaris used him as a menacing wing-back in the typical brazilian style.His most impressive performance was how he kept messi quiet at the Nou camp ... very puzzling indeed.

Phil Jagielka(Everton)- The powerful centre has really been a revealation and very solid.

Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United) - If I had a vote for player for the season, it would be Vidic. He has been a colossal force at the heart of the man united defense and partly responsible for long string of clean sheets at the same time he is always a huge threat at setpieces which also makes him a formiable attcking force for a defender.

Wilson Palacios (Wigan Athletic & Tottenham Hotspur) - As a member of two teams this season,palaciois had helped Wigan and notably tottenham get to thier respective position in the league. He is a tough tacking, all action player.The strength of his performance this season could see him possibly get snapped by by one of the big four.

Stephen Ireland (Manchester City) - With the coming of big name players to the city squad one might not have expected Ireland to shine but he has been their most consistent performer. He has goals ,grit, and a real knack for being in the right place at the right time.Well done.

Steven Gerrard (Liverpool) -Captain Marvel is definately a source of inspiration to his side unfortunately all his marrounding runs, shots ,goals and the fact that they beat all the "big four teams" in this season could not translate to any silverware.

Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United) - Although the current World footballer of the year scored half as many goals as he did last season, his contribution to the Manunited successful campaign was immense.His dribbling runs,speed and cunning always posed a threat to opposition defenses.

Robinho (Manchester City) - Man City might have not been the first choice destination for mercurial Brazilian midfielder but he certianly did not allow it to dampen his spirits or affect his game. He came up with 14 goals and showed opposition teams why the citizens paid 35 million pounds for his services.Remeber his debut free kick goal against chelsea? boy, that was a beauty. I fondly remember Mancity fans singing "You have dickson while we've got Robinho" during games.

Anelka- A lot of eyebrows might be raised with his selection in my list but with 18 goals this season he definately deserves his place. The higly controvesial frenchman silenced a lot of his doubters and almost made amends for the champions league penalty miss with his steady performance this season.

Van der Sar

Phil Jagielka Vidic Bosigwa

Palacios

Ireland Gerrard

Ronaldo Robinho

Anelka

Notably mentions:Torres, Darren Bent, wayne Ronney, Essien, lampard,Carrager,Sktel,Alonso.