Below, Greg Lea names his Best XI, plus subs, of the Premier League prior to the Christmas programme, including Arsenal's driving force Mesut Ozil, a trio of Leicester City revelations and a pair of Tottenham players who helped turn Spurs' defence into league-best.
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Goalkeeper
Jack Butland, Stoke City
Joe Hart is still England’s first-choice goalkeeper, but Butland’s performances this term have suggested that Roy Hodgson should not be too concerned if the Manchester City custodian picks up an injury ahead of next summer’s European Championship. Despite an influx of exciting attacking additions in the transfer window, Mark Hughes’ Stoke are a side built on a sturdy backline that has been breached only 16 times this campaign. Butland has played a big part in keeping that tally down, with the former Birmingham City stopper responsible for keeping Stoke in many matches with some terrific saves.
Defender
Kyle Walker, Tottenham Hotspur
Previously seen as something of a defensive liability, Walker has been excellent for Tottenham this season. His positioning and concentration levels have improved – the 25-year-old has eliminated most of the errors from his game – and he remains a threat going forward: Walker is one of the fastest full-backs around, and his pace and overlapping runs from deep provide some much-needed width when Erik Lamela drifts infield ahead of him. His objective to lift the Premier League title with Tottenham may be ambitious, but Walker is beginning to develop into the type of dependable defender that teams challenging for the championship need.
Defender
Chris Smalling, Manchester United
One of the division’s most improved players, Smalling is probably the only United man who has enhanced his reputation in 2015/16. Louis van Gaal has been strongly criticised for his side’s plodding, pedestrian style of football, but the one thing in his favour is United’s defensive record, which – in spite of a run of only one win in their last five outings, and three in their last 10 – is still the joint-best in the league. Smalling has been central to that effort; speedy, strong and a fine reader of the game, the former Fulham stopper has come on leaps and bounds this year.
Defender
Toby Alderweireld, Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham’s defensive solidity cannot simply be put down to the actions of one man, but the acquisition of Alderweireld from Atletico Madrid has clearly played a big part in their new-found resolve. Relatively quick and composed with the ball at his feet, the former Southampton loanee has a useful knack for staying on his feet and not diving into tackles. Alderweireld has also brought the best out of compatriot and centre-back partner Jan Vertonghen, who has settled down and is now far less prone to costly mishaps than he was in the past.
Defender
Nacho Monreal, Arsenal
There was a time when Monreal and Kieran Gibbs were closely vying for the left-back spot at Arsenal, but the latter has had to accept a back-up role this year thanks to Monreal’s form. Although the Spaniard goes about his job in a quiet and understated manner, he has become an absolutely vital component of Arsene Wenger’s side, particularly as he often finds himself fielded behind a player in Alexis Sanchez who tends to be given the freedom to remain high up the pitch when Arsenal are out of possession. Assured, reliable and positionally intelligent, Monreal has hardly put a foot wrong this year.
Midfielder
Riyad Mahrez, Leicester City
2015/16’s best player so far. Mahrez has been sublime for Leicester, turning the flashes of quality he displayed at times last season into consistent performances. A mazy dribbler who possesses fabulous footwork and marvellous close control, Mahrez has added an end product to his repertoire in recent months, finding the back of the net on 13 occasions and providing seven assists. While he is unlikely to depart in next month’s window, the Algeria international is bound to be a target for some of Europe’s biggest outfits next summer.
Midfielder
N’Golo Kante, Leicester City
It is hard to think of many better value-for-money summer signings than Kante, who moved to the King Power Stadium from Caen for just £5.6 million (Dh30.6m) in August. The Frenchman has understandably not generated the headlines that teammates Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy have, but he has been equally essential to the most unlikely of table-toppers. A fantastic ball-winner who breaks up play in the centre of the park, Kante also possesses great stamina and energy, with his driving runs through midfield helping to turn defence into attack quickly.
Midfielder
Mesut Ozil, Arsenal
The Premier League’s assist king has directly laid on 15 goals already this campaign – just five short of Thierry Henry’s season-long record with 21 fixtures left to play – and been involved in the build-up to many more. Now fielded in his favoured central role behind the lone striker after spending time out wide in the last couple of years, Ozil has taken his game to another level, dominating and controlling matches in the manner that the world’s best playmakers do. Despite his undoubted individual quality, Ozil is very much a team-first player who prioritises the collective over himself.
Midfielder
Dimitri Payet, West Ham United
Payet may have missed West Ham’s last five encounters through injury, but his magnificent form before then justifies his inclusion. Despite his recent absence, only Mesut Ozil has created more chances in the Premier League than the former Marseille star, with most of West Ham’s attacks flowing through Payet, who is always heavily involved in the build-up play. The Upton Park faithful’s tongue-in-cheek chant that he is “better than Zidane” may be pushing it, but Payet has been tremendous since August and will be key again once he returns to full fitness in 2016.
Forward
Jamie Vardy, Leicester City
Ruud van Nistelrooy’s record of scoring in 10 consecutive Premier League encounters was always likely to be broken one day, but not many would have expected a former factory worker who was playing in the fifth tier of English football less than four years ago to be the man to do it. Vardy, the top flight’s leading goal-getter with 15 strikes to his name, is the perfect striker for Leicester’s counter-attacking approach: his pace makes him a real threat in behind opponents’ backlines, while his work ethic from the top of the pitch is infectious.
Forward
Romelu Lukaku, Everton
Lukaku’s scoring record since turning professional is outstanding, with 52 in 102 Everton appearances making him one of the hottest young centre-forwards anywhere in Europe. He has 13 strikes to his name in 17 Premier League outings this season, but his contributions in general play have been even more impressive: whereas Lukaku’s first touch regularly let him down in the past, he has learnt to protect the ball far better this term, combining well with his attacking teammates and bringing others into play effectively. When on song, his all-round skill set makes Lukaku almost impossible to defend against.
Substitutes
Petr Cech, Arsenal (goalkeeper)
Arsenal’s eight-year wait for a top-class replacement for Jens Lehmann is over. Cech has added experience and leadership to the ranks at the Emirates Stadium, not to mention some superb shot-stopping skills. Could make the difference in Arsenal’s bid to end their title drought.
Scott Dann, Crystal Palace (defender)
A central defender who continues to go under the radar, Palace’s 2014/15 Player of the Year has probably been their best performer this season too. Strong in the air and in the tackle, Dann is also an excellent long passer of the ball who is happy to step out of defence in possession.
Mousa Dembele, Tottenham Hotspur (midfielder)
Dembele’s talent has never been in doubt, but injuries and a lack of consistency had previously prevented him from showing it since his move to Tottenham in 2012. All that has changed this campaign, though, with the Belgian’s tenacity, drive and dribbling ability in the middle of the pitch essential to Mauricio Pochettino’s men’s way of playing.
Ross Barkley, Everton (midfielder)
Barkley has been back to his best this season after a disappointing campaign last time out, with six goals and six assists evidence of his productivity in the final third. He remains raw and can still be guilty of poor decision-making, but Barkley is clearly a brilliant talent.
Kevin De Bruyne, Manchester City (midfielder)
The former Chelsea playmaker has added much skill and invention to the City ranks. With six assists and four strikes, the Belgian has played a decisive part in almost a third of his side’s goals; he has also demonstrated a useful versatility, playing on both flanks and as a No 10.
Alexis Sanchez, Arsenal (forward)
It may have taken him a while to get going, but Sanchez has been superb since finding his feet in September. While he has scored on six occasions, the Chile international adds far more to this Arsenal team than just goals.
Odion Ighalo, Watford (forward)
Having hit 12 goals for newly-promoted Watford – including a double against Liverpool on Sunday – Ighalo can consider himself extremely unfortunate not to have made the XI. A fine finisher who is clinical inside the penalty area, the Nigerian is thriving as part of a rather old-fashioned strike partnership with Troy Deeney.
Manager
Claudio Ranieri, Leicester City
The easiest pick of all. Ranieri has done a remarkable job at the King Power Stadium this term, guiding Leicester – among the favourites for relegation back in August – to top spot after 17 matches, a truly extraordinary achievement in the modern age.