Aguero, Hazard and Jagielka make my team of the season so far, but who else is in the mix? And which boss should take charge of my all-star XI?
MARTIN KEOWN'S XI AND MANAGER
Wojciech Szczesny (Arsenal)
Seamus Coleman (Everton)
Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal)
Phil Jagielka (Everton)
Luke Shaw (Southampton)
Yaya Toure (Manchester City)
Fernandinho (Manchester City)
Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal)
Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)
Eden Hazard (Chelsea)
Luis Suarez (Liverpool)
Manager: Roberto Martinez (Everton)
It's been a cracker of a season in
the Premier League with some sensational individual performances. At
the halfway stage, this is my team of the year so far...
GOALKEEPER
Wojciech Szczesny (Arsenal)
Despite
his error against West Ham, he seems stronger and more composed than
other young keepers. Arsenal’s back four are more confident and that
gives him a clearer picture of the game unfolding in front of him.
Safe hands: Wojciech Szczesny has helped Arsenal to the top of the Premier League table with some fine performances
DEFENCE
Seamus Coleman (Everton)
He’s
still developing but his improvement has been massive. When he first
arrived he was overplaying but he’s cut out the mistakes, is a better
passer and is a big part of Everton’s future.
Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal)
He
has improved enormously over the past few years and loves to home in on
danger. He has great balance and movement and he has looked majestic at
times.
No way through: Everton's Seamus Coleman (left)
and Arsenal's Laurent Koscielny (right) have helped their respective
teams keep plenty of clean sheets
Phil Jagielka (Everton)
He
may not be the tallest or quickest but he is an excellent all-round
defender and he reads the game so well. He is as important for Everton
as Jamie Carragher was for Liverpool.
Captain fantastic: Everton skipper Phil Jagielka (right) has shown a natural ability to read the game this season
Luke Shaw (Southampton)
He’s
so young, yet it’s like he’s played in the Premier League for years.
He’s direct, plays with a maturity beyond his years and though he’s
still a work in progress, he has plenty of time on his side.
Big future: Southampton left-back Luke Shaw (right) has impressed for Mauricio Pochettino's side
MIDFIELD
Yaya Toure (Man City)
Toure is the supreme midfielder in the Premier League.
When he is really focused, he can be an awesome all-purpose player. He can sit, hold, pass, fly forward, finish: the lot.
Fernandinho (Man City)
With
Toure, he is forming the best central midfield partnership In the
League.
They act like a piston, where one stays and one goes. He’s
tenacious and he and Toure do the work of three men in midfield.
Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal)
He’s
taken things to another level and has been one of the stand-out players
this season.
He scores, assists and tackles and he believes in himself
and trusts his decisions.
Partners: Yaya Toure (left) and Fernandinho (right) have formed a powerful duo in the heart of Manchester City's midfield
In control: Arsenal's Aaron Ramsey (right) has proved himself as one of the best all-round midfielders in England's top tier
FORWARDS
Sergio Aguero (Man City)
He’s
so powerful and goes past players effortlessly, so I’d have him behind
the front man. Carlos Tevez left but Aguero has stepped in and taken on
those same battling qualities to add to his lethal finishing.
Red hot: Sergio Aguero, pictured here
celebrating his goal in Manchester City's 6-3 win against Arsenal, has
enjoyed some of his best form under Manuel Pellegrini
Eden Hazard (Chelsea)
He
is a real match-winner. He caresses the ball, attacks with real pace
and can decide when he wants to go past people. If Mourinho manages him
well, he could have the keys to the title.
Danger man: Eden Hazard celebrates his winning
goal against Swansea on Boxing Day, his seventh Premier League strike of
the season
STRIKER
Luis Suarez (Liverpool)
Suarez
would be in a World XI at the minute, never mind a PL XI. He’s scoring
goals of the highest order and playing with a smile on his face. You
just have to stand back and admire his quality.
Man of the moment: Luis Suarez (middle),
pictured here scoring his second goal in Liverpool's 5-0 against
Tottenham earlier this season, has been arguably the Premier League's
best player
MANAGER
Roberto Martinez (Everton)
He has got his message across and really taken Everton to the next level. They’re flying and could even challenge for the title.
On a roll: Everton manager Roberto Martinez has
settled into life at the Merseyside club seamlessly since taking over in
the summer
