When the PFA team of the year was unveiled I must admit a few selections had me scratching my head. Obviously there were on or two players who were guaranteed to get in such as Rooney and Dunne but there were some glaring omissions in my opinion. So here is my Team of the year:
1. Pepe Reina (Liverpool)I think that Joe Hart had a fantastic season for Birmingham but I had him third in gooalkeepers behind Brad Freidel and Reina. The big Spaniard just beats out the American because Reina has kept Liverpool's season respectable with another year of fine performances.
2. Carlos Cuellar (Aston Villa)One of the tougher positions to decide upon. Not many teams have had a consistent right-back this season and I think that Ivanovic got the nod in the PFA team by default. If Vedran Corluka had been fit for the run-in he would have been my choice but Cuellar has been a model of consistency in a Villa back four that has been the basis for Martin O'Neill's side fantastic season.
3. Patrice Evra (Manchester United)The first time I have agreed with the PFA's selection. Everton's Leighton Baines has had another fine season and came into consideration and Ashley Cole had another great season when he was fit. But the world-class Evra gets my selection. Evra has been the one constant in a United back four that has been plagued with injuries and he has solidified his claims to be the best left-back in the world.
4. Richard Dunne (Aston Villa)Another selection that agrees with the PFA team. Dunne, like Cuellar, has been a rock at the back for Villa. The huge Irishman has had another brilliant season in the Premier League and formed the best centre-half pairing in the league this year.
5. Michael Dawson (Tottenham Hotspur)Less fashionable centre-halves Roger Johnson of Birmingham and Jody Craddock of Wolves came into consideration but Dawson has been brilliant at the back for Champion's League bound Spurs. The added pressure of having his partner in teh middle change nearly every game has not made it easy for Dawson but the former Notts Forest man has been awesome this year and should go to the World Cup.
6. Frank Lampard (Chelsea)How someone can score 20 goals from midfield and not get into the team of the year is a disgrace in my eyes. Darren Fletcher was the selection ahead of Lampard and as consistent as Fletcher was, he hasn't been as good as Lampard.
7. James Milner (Aston Villa)The winner of this year's young player of the year has finally made the progression that so many pundits felt he would. Employed in the centre of Villa's midfield, Milner has been a revelation this year. With seven goals and 12 assists from the centre of midfield, Milner seems to have assured himself a place in England's world cup squad.
8. Francesc Fabregas (Arsenal)Oh how different the title race may have been if the Spanish magician was fit for the entire season? Unfortunately for Arsenal fans he wasn't but he still lit up the Premier League with 15 goals and 15 assists in a brilliant season that could end up with a world cup winner's medal.
9. Didier Drogba (Chelsea)The two strikers pick themselves really. Drogba has once again terrorised defences all year and has been a great leader in a team that has had its struggles off the field. The Ivorian has scored 26 goals this season and has coupled that with an impressive 13 assists.
10. Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)There is nothing that can be said about Rooney's season that hasn't been said already. The former Everton man has just simply been awesome this year and England fans will pray that he can stay fit this summer. Honourable mentions go to Darren Bent for his fantastic year at West Ham and Kevin Doyle for the class and hard-work he brought to Wolves.
11. Florent Malouda (Chelsea)Can anyone tell me how the player's player of the year for the champion's elect didn't make it into the team of the year? Malouda has really come of age in the Chelsea team this year. The Frenchman has coupled 12 goals with 8 assists and has brought a threat out wide that Chelsea have missed since Messrs Duff and Robben terrorised defences. Malouda brilliant play has brought a better balance to Chelsea's play this season.