The Best XI Out of the Champions League Hopefuls?

Rafa Benitez’s men find themselves slugging it out for the lucrative fourth and final champions league berth.  Looking to stop them are Roberto Mancini’s Manchester City, Harry Redknapp’s Tottenham and Martin O’Neill’s Aston Villa side.

But if you were to pick the best starting 11 from those four teams, just how many of Rafa’s squad would make the grade?  Here we take a look.

Goalkeeper – Pepe Reina.  Probably the easiest choice out of all the positions.  Reina has established himself as one of the finest goalkeepers in the world.  Manchester City’s Shay Given would also have a justified claim for this position as would Aston Villa’s Brad Friedel with his tons of experience but it is the Spaniard who makes the grade in this battle.

Right-back – Glen Johnson.  The England international has not had his finest season and he would probably go as far to admit that himself, he does however remain one of the best players in his position in this country.  The attacking side to his game is no doubt what makes him the respected player that he is, but he does need to work more on his defending.

Centre-back – Daniel Agger.  Again another player who would freely admit that this has not been one of his better season’s but as the campaign has gone on, the Dane’s form has steadily got better and better.  The Danish defender has seen his progress at Anfield hindered by an unfortunate number of injuries throughout the course of the last 24 months, he is now beginning to get back to his very best.

Centre-back – Michael Dawson.  Without doubt one of the defenders of the season, it is largely down to the form of Dawson that Tottenham are in with a chance of qualifying for next seasons Champions League.  The Tottenham defender is never afraid to throw himself into a challenge and is always there to block any danger that may arise.  Still at just 26, he has age on his side and will almost certainly take his seat on England’s plane to South Africa.

Left-back – Gareth Bale.  Two months ago this choice would have made me a laughing stock.  Now it is clear that large numbers of football fans across England wish that the Welshman was in fact of English nationality.  Bale’s recent performances against Chelsea and Arsenal in which he scored two wonderful goals show just how far he has come.  If there is any criticism to be had of Bale, it may be that he needs to improve the defensive aspect of his game.

Right-midfield – Aaron Lennon.  Despite being prone to injuries, Lennon still remains one of the most feared wingers in the premier league.  With lightning speed and the natural ability to beat full-backs with alarming skill, the England international will no doubt look at home if Spurs do eventually make it into fourth-place.

Centre-midfield – Luka Modric.  The tiny Croatian is capable of destroying teams on his own with his sensational foot-work and his ability to pass to team-mates when it looks near round impossible.  Modric is a fundamental asset not only to Tottenham but also to Croatia manager Slaven Bilic who rates his midfielder as one of the best in the world.  Can also score sensational goals.

Centre-midfield – Steven Gerrard.  Despite his poor campaign it is just impossible to leave the Liverpool talisman out of any starting 11 in the world.  On so many occasions has Gerrard salvaged something for Liverpool out of nothing, it is this that makes him one of the best midfielders around.  Should definitely start ahead of Frank Lampard if there is a choice to be made.

Left-midfield – Ashley Young.  Young can play on the left or right wing and is as comfortable in either position.  His ability to burst down the wing and cut the ball back onto his left foot as well as putting in outstanding crosses makes him one of the obvious choices for this position.  Will give team-mate Stewart Downing some competition for England in the summer.

Strikers – Carlos Tevez and Fernando Torres.  Heaven only knows what these two world class players could produce if they were to be partnered together.  In the summer it looked like that may be a likely option with the former rumoured to be on his way to Anfield.  Tevez’s endless work-rate as well as the world-class finishing of Torres would make these two a real force to be reckoned with.

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