1. The Barclays Premiership for the season of 2008 / 2009 is on the verge of ‘closing its curtains’.
2. Fans around the world can wonder at the moment which team is going to lift the title. Supporters of Man Utd and Liverpool cannot afford to see their team’s lose in the remaining games.
3. The decisive factor for the winner this season is the game in hand that Man Utd earns.
4. Chelsea and Arsenal can now concentrate on European stage as both teams have advantage from the first leg match.
5. The presence of the key men for the ‘Big Four’ is a concern at this point of time. Some of them are listed below in Zruchilles’ Team of The Season.
1. Goalkeeper - PEPE REINA (LIVERPOOL / SPAIN)
• He puts a number of world-class saves throughout the season
• Considered a key member of current Liverpool squad
• Energetic and excellent reflex
2. Right Fullback – JOSE BOSINGWA (CHELSEA / PORTUGAL)
• Energetic and very high of stamina
• Loves to cut inside the pitch, allowing more ball played in the center of attacking third
• Is far better than Paulo Ferreira and Juliano Belletti, who are considered as ‘already past their best’
3. Left Fullback – PATRICE EVRA (MAN UTD / FRANCE)
• Highly-paced full back
• His run on the left flank can produce an impact on the team’s attack
• Very high stamina & very agile
• Plays well too in defense
4. Center Back 1 – JOHN TERRY (CHELSEA / ENGLAND) (CAPTAIN)
• He is one of the best center backs in the world at the moment; very synonym
• His leadership is one of the key for Chelsea’s match winner; a charismatic captain needed to influence the team members and change the mood of the team’s performance
• Has the ability to score from set-pieces
• A strong player; could easily overcome threats from small strikers
5. Center Back 2 – NEMANJA VIDIC (MAN UTD / SERBIA)
• Becomes famous after his move to Man Utd; proving that he plays better than Mikael Silvestre & Wes Brown for central defender position at Man Utd
• Possess good mentality attributes for a defender; anticipation, bravery and positioning
• Plays a good partner to John Terry; has the strong header to score from set-pieces situation
6. Defensive Midfielder 1 – JAVIER MASCHERANO (LIVERPOOL / ARGENTINA)
• Plays a key defensive duties in midfield area for Liverpool this season
• Plays short and simple passes in his own half, but sometimes can be a threat to the opponent when he plays up forward to support the attackers
• Have a good ball possession; he just know what to do when possessing the ball
• Mastering in tackles and pressures
• Accurateness of passing; short and long
7. Defensive Midfielder 2 – MICHAEL ESSIEN (CHELSEA / GHANA)
• He is the ‘Chelsea’s Engine’ – involves in team’s defensive and attacking duties
• Possesses very high stamina to roam around the pitch, and assists team in ball possession
• Plays similarly to Milan’s Rhino Gattuso
• A complete player to play in various position on the pitch
8. Central Midfielder – CESC FABREGAS (ARSENAL / SPAIN)
• A talented young player with a bags of abilities
• He acts as the ‘central creation of goal chances’ for his side
• Loves to plays deadly ball with high precision
• Matured on the pitch even in young age
9. Right Wing Forward – CRISTIANO RONALDO (MAN UTD / PORTUGAL)
• The 2008 World Footballer of the Year; Ronaldo is one of the best players in the world alive today
• Top scorer for Man Utd this season; yet again
• High technical abilities; dribbling, passing, heading, scoring and taking set pieces
• Is a ‘magical’ player, who can create something out of nothing. He has the ability to create chances and score goals individually
10. Left Wing Forward – WAYNE ROONEY (MAN UTD / ENGLAND)
• Key striker for Man Utd and England in this campaign
• Is a matured player; cool and confidence when dwelling on the ball
• Enjoying big matches; unlike fellow teammate Ronaldo
• Is a type of striker that can contribute to the goal chances by providing deadly balls and key passes
• His thunderous strike is a potent threat to the opposition; goalkeeper, primarily
• Very aggressive and temperamental
11. Striker – FERNANDO TORRES (LIVERPOOL / SPAIN)
• He is one of the best strikers in the world of football today
• Instinctive in scoring goals
• A clinical striker
• Can work alone up front
