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Premier League Dream XI

Author: Sir David Smith
Date: 12/02/2010
Football betting

The Premier League is entering its closing stretch so it's time to cast an eye over which players have made the biggest impact this season.

If a Dream Team of the best eleven players were to be picked now, it would look something like this.

Goalkeeper - Brad Friedel (Aston Villa)

Even at the ripe old age of 38, Friedel shows no sign of waning.

The veteran American has kept 11 clean sheets in his 24 appearances to date and seems to pull off at least two or three world-class saves in every single game.

Right-back - Vedran Corluka (Tottenham)

The towering Croatian may not look like a typical full-back but his form this season has led to Spurs boss Harry Redknapp allowing £9million Scotland right-back Alan Hutton to leave on loan.

Corluka hasn't missed a single league game all season.

Left-back - Leighton Baines (Everton)

Baines is staging a late run for a place in England's World Cup squad.

The 25-year-old is dependable at the back and productive when supporting the attack as his five assists to date highlights.

Centre-back - Richard Dunne (Aston Villa)

Manchester City must be wondering why they let the Republic of Ireland defender leave for Villa last summer.

Dunne has been a colossus at the back has has chipped in with three goals.

Centre-back - Ryan Shawcross (Stoke City)

Liverpool, Arsenal and former club Manchester United are all reported to be queuing up to sign the uncompromising 22-year-old defender.

Shawcross has been tipped for a pre-World Cup England call-up.

Left midfield - Craig Bellamy (Manchester City)

Bellamy has silenced the doubters who said his Manchester City career was on the decline.

Six goals and seven assists have made the prickly Welshman of the first names on the Eastlands teamsheet.

Right midfield - James Milner (Aston Villa)

Milner is a shoo-in for England's World Cup squad after his stunning form this season.

Eight assists and four goals plus his ability to play anywhere from right-back to attacking midfielder make him invaluable.

Central midfield - Frank Lampard (Chelsea)

The Chelsea star is the only member of the league 10/10 club.

He's helped himself to 10 goals and laid on the same number for his team-mates during what has been a glittering season even by his own high standards.

Central midfield - Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal)

The one constant in the heart of a much-criticised Arsenal side is the intelligent string pulling that Fabregas provides.

The Spaniard has also found the net 13 times to date which makes him the Gunners' runaway leading scorer.

Striker - Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)

The England striker has stepped up to the plate following the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo and scored 21 goals in 24 games.

He has almost single-handedly kept a struggling United side in the title race.

Can Manchester United win a fourth straight Premier League title this season? - Latest Football Betting

Striker - Didier Drogba (Chelsea)

On his day he is arguably the best striker in the world. The problem for most Premier League defenders is that day has come more often than not this season.

Drogba's 17 goals are one of the main reasons why sportsbook favourites Chelsea are sitting pretty at the top of the table.

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